Date: Fri, 25 Mar 1994 20:01:11 EST
From: John A. Johnson <J5J@psuvm.psu.edu>
Message-ID: <94084.200111J5J@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.atheism.moderated
Subject: Paganism,Pantheism,Atheism [Was:Re: Paganism/Atheism]
References: <2mskbh$36j@darkstar.UCSC.EDU>
In article <2mskbh$36j@darkstar.UCSC.EDU>, gorilla@cats.ucsc.edu (Christopher
John Arnold) says:
[paganism and atheism can be compatible]
Yes, indeed. Of course, as Arnold points out, it depends on how one
defines paganism and atheism. It seems to me that the meaning of:
"Everything is god" (pantheistic paganism) cannot be distinguished from
"Nothing is god" (atheism). That's why we occasionally get posts like
we did earlier this month on the relevance of pantheists like Spinoza
for atheists. For your further reading enjoyment, here is a reprint
of an exchange on this subject that occurred back in November 1992.
------------------------repost follows-------------------------------
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 22:19:17 EST
From: John A. Johnson <J5J@psuvm.psu.edu>
Message-ID: <92327.221917J5J@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.atheism
Subject: Re: Paganism & Atheism
References: <1ecr1vINN664@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> <+4x1r4+@rpi.edu>
<92323.092330J5J@psuvm.psu.edu> <1992Nov21.052548.28549@midway.uchicago.edu>
In article <1992Nov21.052548.28549@midway.uchicago.edu>, hau4@ellis.uchicago.edu
(sven hauptfeld) says:
>
>In article <92323.092330J5J@psuvm.psu.edu> John A. Johnson <J5J@psuvm.psu.edu>
>writes:
>>
>>I consider myself an atheistic pagan, so I beg to differ here.
>>As far as I am concerned, gods and goddesses are metaphorical
>>personifications of aspects of nature. What follows is a repost
>>detailing my position.
>>----------------------------------------------
>>Anyone else out there in paganland consider themselves a "metaphorical
>>pagan?" I don't believe in supernatural deities, but I'm in love with
>>nature and mythology. I've been "worshipping" nature gods through
>>rituals for some 20 years now--not because I believe in the magickal
>>efficacy of the rituals, but rather for the feeling of connectedness
>>to nature and to human prehistory.
>>----------------
>>John A. Johnson (j5j@psuvm.psu.edu)
>
>You do not worship. You "worship".
>
>Therefore, you are not a pagan. You are a "pagan".
Precisely!!! Because I am a metaphorical pagan, I am a "pagan."
But by the duck principle, it would be quite difficult to distinguish
me from someone who is a pagan-without-quotation-marks. Furthermore,
Margot Adler describes my brand of paganism as perfectly valid form of
the same.
>
>I think the Bible is a very interesting and inspiring book. That doesn't make
>me Xian. I think Greek myths are very good ethical reading. Doesn't make me
>worship Greek gods. I look forward to reading Qur'an when I find time. Won't
>convert me to Islam. I am fascinated by Lao-Tzu's writings. I'm not a Taoist.
>I think we can learn a lot from Zen Buddhism. But why accept it religiously?
>
>There is a difference between (respecting, studying, enjoying) and
>worshipping.
Sven, are you always this grouchy, or are you having a bad day?
My word processor's thesaurus brings up the following nine terms for worship:
honor, respect, revere, venerate, adore, adulate, deify, glorify, and idolize.
The first five describe quite well the way I worship nature.
-----------------------------------
John A. Johnson (J5J@psuvm.psu.edu)
Atheistic, metaphorical, Taoist-pagan.
Penn State is not responsible for my behavior.
"A ruthless, doctrinaire avoidance of degeneracy is a degeneracy of
another sort. Getting drunk and picking up bar-ladies and writing
metaphysics is a part of life." - from _Lila_ by R. Pirsig
Return to DrJ's Other Home Page John A. Johnson
October 22, 1995