America - Surrounded by Icky Pagans! (if only)
Yes, it's true. At least according to Newt Gingrich.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee urged Christians to get involved in politics to preserve the presence of religion in American life.
"I think this is one of the most critical moments in American history," Gingrich said. "We are living in a period where we are surrounded by paganism."
Now, speaking as a political realist, I have to say that this is the usual Gingrichian hyperbole, carefully aimed at his Rock Church audience. Gingrich has said worse things in the past (such as how Democrats were responsible for Susan Smith) and will probably say even worse things in the future. That's our Newty!
And this is largely par for the course: the P-word is often used by the Christian Right to denounce things they don't like, and placed hand-in-hand with social issues like pornography, abortion and the like. Lest we forget how Rev. Falwell kindly informed us, on September 11th, that Pagans had a hand in bringing the attacks on America. (And how Pat Robertson agreed with him)
But as an eclectic Pagan, I can only say "if only." If only we were a mostly Pagan nation, in a world made up of mostly Pagan people!
If only people saw each other as brothers and sisters of one large family.
If only people saw the Earth as a sacred object, and not a massive combination refrigerator and toilet.
If only we could see the Divine in all things and all people.
If only we could recognize magic for what it is, and accept its role in our lives.
If only people weren't hung up on sex roles and sexuality.
If only we loved and honored our children and our parents.
If only we sought not to convert or proselytize, but to lead, and follow, by example.
If only we both preached and practiced not tolerance, but acceptance, of that which was of no harm to ourselves.
If only we could say "and it harm none, do what ye will," and meant it, and lived by it.
Would the world be totally perfect? No. Would the world be totally peaceful? No. Would the world be free from all ills, manmade or otherwise? No.
But there's no denying it would be much, much better than it is today.
So sorry, Newt - you are not surrounded by Pagans. And that really just is too bad.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee urged Christians to get involved in politics to preserve the presence of religion in American life.
"I think this is one of the most critical moments in American history," Gingrich said. "We are living in a period where we are surrounded by paganism."
Now, speaking as a political realist, I have to say that this is the usual Gingrichian hyperbole, carefully aimed at his Rock Church audience. Gingrich has said worse things in the past (such as how Democrats were responsible for Susan Smith) and will probably say even worse things in the future. That's our Newty!
And this is largely par for the course: the P-word is often used by the Christian Right to denounce things they don't like, and placed hand-in-hand with social issues like pornography, abortion and the like. Lest we forget how Rev. Falwell kindly informed us, on September 11th, that Pagans had a hand in bringing the attacks on America. (And how Pat Robertson agreed with him)
But as an eclectic Pagan, I can only say "if only." If only we were a mostly Pagan nation, in a world made up of mostly Pagan people!
If only people saw each other as brothers and sisters of one large family.
If only people saw the Earth as a sacred object, and not a massive combination refrigerator and toilet.
If only we could see the Divine in all things and all people.
If only we could recognize magic for what it is, and accept its role in our lives.
If only people weren't hung up on sex roles and sexuality.
If only we loved and honored our children and our parents.
If only we sought not to convert or proselytize, but to lead, and follow, by example.
If only we both preached and practiced not tolerance, but acceptance, of that which was of no harm to ourselves.
If only we could say "and it harm none, do what ye will," and meant it, and lived by it.
Would the world be totally perfect? No. Would the world be totally peaceful? No. Would the world be free from all ills, manmade or otherwise? No.
But there's no denying it would be much, much better than it is today.
So sorry, Newt - you are not surrounded by Pagans. And that really just is too bad.
posted by J. Edward Tremlett at 1:31 PM
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