Re: The Pagan Section
Beirdd

Sun Mar 12 09:26:01 2000
I think that another part of the problem here is that, even despite a recent attempt to clarify the intent of the word by capitalizing it, the word "pagan" is still really a catch-all that has few easy-to-use synonyms. Even distinguishing "Pagan" from "pagan" leaves the lower case word a generalization.*p*Though it may be hard to believe, the same sort of thing actually goes on with the word "Christian." Most would consider the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and the Jehovah's Witnesses to be in that group. Since neither of those recognizes the divinity of Christ, they are actually beyond the bounds of the definition of the word "Christian." Yet even they refer to themselves as such.*p*I am also reminded that Pagans are upset by being mistakenly lumped with Satanists, and then repeat the mistake by insisting that Satanism is a Christian religion. It's that two wrongs thing all over again...*p*I think that this is a point that, through dialogue, and certainly through a growing of the cohesiveness of the Pagan community, will eventually be one of the simpler problems to solve. Defining the use and intent of one's language schema is relatively easy. As it stands, I am sure no ill will was intended by the conjunction of words. Topaz Owl also had some good points on this.*p*--Beirdd*p*Deborah wrote,*br*: I understand that the Catholic Church's use of the word *br*: pagan denotes essentially 'any non Christian religion' (at *br*: least that's what I've seen it do in the past).  But it is *br*: extremely unfortunate that it chose to use the word Pagan in *br*: connection with the Nazis.*p*<snipped>
The Pagan Section
Deborah
133
Sun Mar 12 01:11:45 2000