hey, guys.
I mentioned in another post that I despise the use of the word, “pagan”. I also mentioned that may be some day I would explain why. well - you guys can let out your collective breath now, because “some day” has arrived. ; )
this is why I despise the use of the word “pagan” –
the word “pagan” is always used comparatively with none other than “christianity”.
it’s always, the “pagan beliefs” as compared to “christianity”, or, “the early pagans”. and every time this word is used in this way, “christianity” is made to seem the superior belief above and beyond all other beliefs.
and it also makes it seem like these earlier beliefs are all one and the same, when in fact, beliefs other than “christianity” are wide and varied. so-called pagan beliefs are NOT all the same; there are greek gods, roman gods, celtic gods, egyptian gods, etc., and all these different gods should be addressed as such rather than being referred to as the “pagan” gods.
and when one considers that EVERY thing about “christianity” is taken from other beliefs and assimilated in to “christianity” as a way of making this particular belief more palatable to those who had their own beliefs separate of the poison of “christianity”, it makes the “christians’” attempts at making their beliefs appear superior to every one else’s kind of ridiculous and stupid.
another point I’d like to make – ALL beliefs started out as “pagan”. “pagan” means, “of the country”. “heathen” means much the same thing. ALL beliefs, including those of the middle easterners, first started out IN THE COUNTRY – making even “christianity” , there fore, PAGAN, even with OUT their having stolen all their ideas off of the “pagans”.
and about the term, “christmas tree”. it was NOT originally a “christmas” tree. bringing a tree in to the home and decorating it started out as a GERMANIC traditional custom. NOTHING to do with “christmas” – though if I’m wrong, do feel free to correct me.
same with “christmas presents” – THIS was started by the ancient romans, who, every Saturnalia, would go about giving gifts to each other. it was some thing like a week-long celebration, best compared to a wild college party gone completely out of control.
THIS is where the “christians” got their ideas about gift-giving, though there could have been other similar sources as well.
when discussing beliefs other than “christianity”, in stead of using the word, “pagan”, which only serves to elevate “christianity” above all other superstitious beliefs and put it on a pedestal like it’s some how THE belief of all beliefs, people should in stead say, “the germanic gods”, “the ancient greek gods and beliefs”, “the celtic god (whose name is) so-and-so”.
this would serve two purposes - 1) the gods or beliefs of others would be specifically mentioned, rather than being all lumped together under the collective term, “pagan”, even though every belief is wildly different from every other such belief; and, 2) it would serve to knock “christianity” off its pedestal and lower it down to the level of every other belief, some thing “christianity” is badly in need of.
it is NOT the end-all, be-all of all other superstitious beliefs, and it’s high time it - and those who believe in it - got a bit humbled.
another purpose the specific mention of non"christian" beliefs and non"christian" gods and their names would serve would be to keep people more in touch with their roots, with their OWN people, and their ancestors’ ORIGINAL beliefs, traditions, ways and customs.
I dunno. it just irks me that the word “pagan” is used in comparison with “christianity” when “christianity” and its thousands of variations is really just another superstitious belief, no worse, and certainly no better than, any other. let’s stop elevating it to a higher status by the constant use of the word “pagan” any time “christianity” is mentioned. or the other two middle eastern beliefs, “judaism” and “islam”.
