Salt

Is Paganism the Issue?

So, what's the problem with all this Episcopalians dressing up as Druids? I admit, it seems in bad taste, like mixing Christian stripes with Druid plaid, or wearing vestments from two different seasons. But my religious sensibility isn't as offended as, say, watching people chant the "Bush Pledge" at a rally.

It might simply be that Episcopal bishops simply are at a loss to respond to these new religions. They are correct to note that these religions are not the same as the religions that offended the Israelites. I agree with conservatives that these religions are... inaccurate in their representation of reality. For example, monotheism is feminist as it prioritizes agency, a God that wants me to act, over gender, a god that makes me act in a engendered way.

And what is paganism? Is it worshipping nature? Or is it worshipping gods with long welsh names? Or do pagans also worship the old Gods, like Zeus? Or is there a unifying God behind nature? I just don't know much about it.

And, I don't think that bishops know. I think that they know, however, that modern nature religions are a bit different than the idolotrous religions in scripture. They probably know that nature religions have a long history in the US.

Jesus did not seem to care about pantheism or panentheism.

Jesus and the Israelites were not battling the play of the bored getting naked - although the first Christians did get naked and slather themselves with perfumed oil - they were fighting the religion of empire.

I suspect that the druids were not too happy about the Romans either. Maybe both Christianity and the European nature religions may have had common cause against the rape and exploitation that exemplified the empire.

Maybe a truth of modern paganism that might be a corrective to the dominion strand of Christianity is its recognition that we cannot truly control God's creation - the earth. If pagans teach Christians a bit more ecological humility I'm glad for the correction. Of course, the Union of Concerned Scientists have also been demanding a little more humility for a long time.

But wait - Christians are already called to be good stewards and walk humbly.

Welcome those coming from Ecumenical Insanity.

Anyway, through all of this I've been introduced to a few other sites: one on gay spirituality, and a pagan site. Not the Salty Vicar's faith, but interesting reads, nonetheless.

Heretic's Corner articulates the faith of us orthodox liberals.

Episcopagan controversy continues

Midwest Contemptuous Journal freaks out over new agey lovemaking ritual. Kendall Harmon gets a letter about Christian charity. Other punishing God blogs are joining in the witch hunt.

If this weren't for real, it would be hiliarious.

Conservatives should be careful. If they get hijacked by the intemperate, they will be revealed to be... sadly human in their mob mentality, more passionate about perversion, than enthusiastic in evangelising. I submit to you, if they had the fire of the gospel, they would seek to convert those wayward druids, rather than burn and ruin them.

And I say to you, with Jesus Christ, all things are possible.

Unitarian Episcopagans?

I'm having some trouble with my theology.

I often hear that Episcopalians are, in fact, unitarians with pretty clothes.

I'm now hearing that they are pagans.

Is it possible to be a unitarian and a pagan? Trinitarians have been called polytheists, at least, for many hundreds of years.

If pagans are polytheists, I'd like some clarification, because I don't know how I can be both a pagan AND a unitarian if that is what Episcopalians are. Perhaps there are both unitarian and pagan wings.

And what about satanist Episcopalians? Now, I can understand the connection between paganism and Satanism.

I understand that some unitarians might worship the "web of life" and map some vague version of wicca onto it. But is that druidism?

I'm so confused. We need to add another article, perhaps.

Arafat

You know, God forgive me, but, its time Lord, to take him home. I don't care if its heaven or hell. But whatever he was put here for, I think he's completed it, and I know that you'll take good care of him. Now let someone else bring peace.

Orthodox Begin a Witchunt of Episcopal Pagans

The orthodox are all atitter about some Anglican priest-druid who'd lifted some earthy liturgy. Christianity Today had a fairly provocative article about it. The magazine, of course, didnt call the ECUSA HQ for an opinion. They simply wanted to cause trouble, to fan the flames of division. It's Christianity's version of "fair and balanced." One commenter says to call everyone to let them know.

Know what? That some webperson made a mistake?

I thought the liturgy was pretty weird, as it had references that made me think of my high school role-playing days, myself. But then all the orthodox started getting each other angry. They were feeding, hungry for the latest word about these "Episcopagans" who were taking over ECUSA - it was in their website, after all, so it had to be "official." Well, they got their wish, and the liturgy was taken off the ECUSA website, so you can't see it. It's better that way, for the liturgy was cribbed from another source.

Now, I'm pretty happy with the traditional liturgy. But after reading the posters at titusonenine, I realized that the mechanics and hysteria of hatred and mob violence aren't confined against people oriented a bit differently. The orthodox seem completely unreflective about how people inspire each other to do horrible things [like, for example, murder people for their beliefs]. After reading the responses more and more, it was like Christians wanting to burn pagans all over again. An internet lynching was about to take place. Hell, they're ready to go after people doing Rite II, and animal blessing. And now one is glad these two priests are "running scared." Yep, that's the mentality. Let's run after them. Let's call everybody. And if they can fimd more, they'll get them too. They're ready to test everybody's faith. And if God won't punish you now, they'll tell you exactly what you can expect. They'll even help God with the dirty work if he's unwilling.

And you know, there are no pagans, unless you count for those who watch too much football, read People magazine, and obsess over the Miss America Pageant. Oh - and those pagans who like to tease overly serious monotheists. Someday the orthodox will realize that most people don't care about these kinds of fantasies. Granted, I think the whole druid thing is stupid. But if you really want stupid and dangerous, try supply-side economics.

Here is the response of women's ministries to the amount of angry mail they received.

I disagree with the fellow, the druid and druidess, of course. They were priests who'd been in my diocese. They both did some good work, tried to get their churches on the straight and narrow after they'd had been mismanaged. Granted, I think the theology is awful. And they were a bit paranoid. But they don't deserve the kind of abuse they've been getting. And perhaps now, the paranoia is justified. As a Christian, or even, as an American, I'll be defending them, even if I think their theology is... inaccurate.

And for you non-Anglicans, please don't consider the ridiculousness over there typical of us faithful, moderate, run of the mill, God loves you and the wicked, Anglican.

Quotes

Moral indignation -- jealousy with a halo
-- H.G. Wells

Why do born-again people so often make you wish they'd never been born the first time?
-- Katherine Whitehorn, The Observer (London) (May 20, 1979)

Israel, the CIA, Etc

Settlers prevent mbulance from reaching destination.

CIA won't release report that names who's responsible for 9/11.

Mormon teen fashion [via boing boing]

Wonkette reports on CNN show regarding this phrase:

9:09PM - John MacArthur, radio evangelist, speaks on the electoral process: "God ordains leaders and puts down leaders and kings."

9:25PM - MacArthur again: "I don't believe in separation of church and state, as long as we're talking about the true church. The issue is the one true church of Jesus Christ in America, which cannot be separated from the country."

Actually, I feel the same way, except that the one true church is Episcopalianism. God save the Queen. Or Tony. Or Rowan. Frank. Whoever. Wait, George Bush Sr. is an Episcopalian. On the other hand, so was FDR. And someday, Episcopalians will rename themselves with a word containing two syllables.

Untill then, I appreciate that all false [or "free"] churches and the papists, are restrained in the public sphere.

Why don't people go to church?

A question asked by the Questioning Christian. Why don't people go to church?

A few reasons I've heard:

1) Too busy, and I just need to spend the day with my family
2) Too busy. I've got work to do, like the yard. Also, I've got a big project in the afternoon
3) Most of the priests are girly-men or manly girls
4) The preaching is always about this guy Hooker or some other dead guy
5) It's like a funeral, just every Sunday
6) Whenever I go, people stare
7) Whenever I go, people pounce
8) Not enough parking
9) Need better music, with drums
10) Where are the babes? I mean the ones under 50.

My Relationship with Joel Osteen

I've been handing out surveys about our liturgy, to do some fine-tuning. I got one from the people who hate me. It was anonymous.

The church has grown, in part because of my preaching. Every new member has said that their first reason for staying was the quality of my preaching.

"Joel Osteen plays at 11:00pm on Px TV. Don't preach about authors I'll never read, or about esoterica."

On Sunday I preached a pretty evangelical sermon on fighting the good fight. Imagine being a consultant, I said, and noone listens to you. You don't know if you're going to be a failure or a success. At that point, you might understand how God has been present. I discussed how pharisees confuse the "I" and the public with God. I spoke of how the sinner, the tax collecter, knew that such public relgion led to hypocrisy, because he himself was a hypocrite. A new member, a scientist who's started coming to church for about a year, said he'd thought it was fantastic.

My enemy looked at him, and looked at me. Of course, he didn't agree. But he didn't say anything.

"Just preach Jesus, and the people will come" the note said.

Bush Supporters not that bright.

I spend a lot of time in my pulpit giving credence to the possibility that Republicans might be right. Liberals in the parish call me "unfortunately, very open-minded." One said that I should stop siding with the stupid.

Alas, here is a poll that says that Republicans have a better sense of unreality.