Its obvious that you are a good essay writer, however, its also clear that this essay was written with a profound ignorance of an alternative spiritual movement that has hundreds of thousands of follows in the US and all over the world: modern Neo-Paganism. While you follow a dictionary definition of the word, it also means those of us who have embraced the pre-Christian, nature based faiths of the old world: the gods of Greece or of the Celts or the Norse or even those of the Egyptians or Finns. We have found a reverence for nature and its cycles, the ideas of multiple manifestations of divinity and the honoring of the deeper laws of nature, known as magic to be an essential part of our diverse faiths. You will find many people who are passionate about their faith and have given service to our country in war time. In fact, after many years of prolonger struggle, our symbol is finally allowed on the gravestones and markers of our service members (the government tried to block that for years). This is far from the hedonistic portrait that you paint. Having seen that bumper sticker at events and festivals for years, I'm guessing that its not meant as an expression of antagonism (well, maybe a little, considering Christianity's exclusive claim to truth) but an expression of someone's liberation from monotheism and inherited religion into a faith of choice.

A stunning example of what a brain-washing machine the church can be.

As a pagan I was more than a little offended at this article,but I agree with Rev.Alan.The author has no understanding of paganism.Of course we have a moral code,the majority of us are committed environmentalists.All of us have faith and spirituality otherwise we would be atheist /agnostic.Christianity is not the only religion . Paganism is a religion.

I'll stand by my interpretation of the general use of the term "pagan" and it's use in the bumper sticker that reads "born again pagan". I don't think the bumper sticker is intended to support a particular pagan religion or value system. Words have little meaning except what is derived from thier common use. I think I got it pretty much right. "Born again" is a precious symbol to Christians that speaks of being dead in sin, but born again into new life because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. A better, less antagonitistic slogan might be Happy Pagan, or Confident Pagan, or New Pagan, or Free Pagan. My apologies for offending the commenters above with my more general use. My article did not include a disclaimer of any kind.

Born Again Christian and standing with my Pastor at The Orchard.

I am pagan, former christian.
You also failed to note the belief of many pagans in reincarnation.
This is not a literal interpretation of the bumper sticker, just another layer
of amusement in meaning.

It's quite obvious that the author doesn't realize that "Born Again Pagan" means one has faith...in something other than the God of Abraham. Those who self identify as pagans tend to be polytheists that honor Gods that were recognized prior to the introduction of Christianity. Is it meant to be antagonistic? Absolutely! It is, however, not a state of lacking faith, but of having a completely different faith than what the mainstream views as faith. Perhaps the author needs to actually talk to some pagans before they go blathering their ignorance to the world.

By the way, I'm a pagan and I have a moral code. It just isn't the Judeo-Christian one.

I can see that your interpretation of the bumper sticker is just a misunderstanding. I invite you to learn more about Paganism. My suggestion to you is that you contact the people who run the Parliament of World Religions, which is a wonderful interfaith gathering that many Christian leaders also attend.

Ben Cathey, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE have an open conversation with a few Pagans without judgement or conversion before assuming you understand the state of our Faith and accountablility. The article you wrote here is the same attack the Christian members of my family used against me BEFORE they understood my decisions and my Path. Now, while we do not share the same Faith, we understand what the other believes and why. Do not take this bumper sticker as an affront to your Faith. See it for what it is, an affirmation of the Faith of another.

While the term pagan can mean non-religious, this is with a capital P and refers to Neopagan/pre-Christian religions such as Wicca, Assatru.... These bumper stickers are sold in Pagan shops that sell items used by people who practice one of the various Neopagan religions. So, the author totally missed the point of the sticker. Yes, it is a gentle jab at Christianity and Christians. I don't see it as mean spirited or blasphemous, just a tongue in cheek, light hearted joke. The 'born again' part has a double meaning which is the whole punch line of the joke. Christians use the term 'born again' to refer to their conversion experience. Pagans might use it to refer to our commonly held belief in reincarnation, the idea that we have been reborn many times.

Ignorance wrapped in assumptions wound around a hefty core of ethnocentrism is what I see here.

This whole essay assumes that Christianity is the default and all other faiths deviations and reactions there from. The two thirds of humanity that are not Christian, and mostly never were, are reacting to your religion by following theirs? Arrogant much?

The word you wanted up there is *hedonism* which is the "guilt free personal expression, sexual experimentation, speech, and pleasure seeking through almost any means (art, money, things, people, hobbies, sex, politics, practices, health, drugs, etc.)." Paganism and hedonism are in no way synonymous, any more than Christianity and bigotry (as demonstrated by this and other recent essays I've read from self-professed Christians) are.

I was raised born again Christian (so that meant I was born again as a child). Fire and brimstone, Evangelical, speaking in tongues, dancing in the spirit, Christian. I can see why the bumper sticker would be antagonistic. Personally, this is someting I would never say or do as a pagan. "Born again" belongs to Christians, but that is just my opinion. Many pagans feel the Christians came and took all of our holidays and corrupted them....but isn't this bumper sticker doing the same thing? I prefer to see the holidays as Holy days. They existed for a reason then, as they do now, so we can set aside the concerns of the world and focus on our spiritual world.
Maybe someday we can all meet on common ground. For now, can't we play nice? One of the great things about paganism is the freedon to choose what you believe in, so let's let others do that as well. Not all Christians are the offensive "you are evil and you're going to hell" type. I don't see how offending Christians on a wide scale based on their belief is a good thing.

There are two related bumper stickers: one IS indeed antagonistic: "Born the right way the first time" can be used by anyone not evangelical Christian. Born Again Pagan means someone found a religion that speaks to them later in life. That is not antagonistic at all.

But lately evangelicals find everything that is not in their creed to be "antagonistic". Someone choosing to do something with their own body that they don't approve of? An offense.

Evangelicals dare speak for God and think no others have a relationship with God.
They feel that they can judge others when only God, according to their own creed, is allowed to do so. Supposedly, Christians' only work on this earth is to care for the sick, suffering, and poor.

The mere existence of other religions expressing themselves is an affront to Evangelicals. Quite sad and petty, if you ask me. (Like the inclusive "happy holidays" being called a "war on Christmas". Puffery and nonsense.)

i had to read the article twice.... i am Pagan and i teach comaparitive religion.... Ben... i have a very strick moral code.. i taught my children that same moral code... The Gods i follow demand that we be accountable for what we do.. that we take the high road and stand up for what is right, do the right thing and remember what we do has an effect on everyone around us. I am not "a" relgious, i am very relgious, i have a relgion that if firmly believe in.... it is just not Christian.....

and i agree, you need to come sit down with the local pagan leaders and groups.. better yet.. read.. Drawning Down the Moon.. it should give you a good idea of who we are and some of our history... it might even give you an appreciation for those of us who struggle to practise our 1st admentment rights.

Spiritual and religious ceremonies of rebirth, of being "born again" are widespread and far older than Christianity, as are religions that feature a dying and resurrected god. What you see as antagonistic, I see as a gentle reminder that there is a plurality of religions in our United States, and that is a good thing.
Given the vastness and diversity of the universe, I personally have to assume that any creator/s must value variety, and the creative ways humans find to experience the creation. I revel in exploring multiple expressions of divinity.
Also, when it comes to antagonism, Mr. Cathey, you might check that log in your own eye.

I've just one thing to say......I'm a witch and baby I was born this way.

As a Pagan who has been ridiculed and harassed by Christians for many years, I can say that the authors viewpoint is not unique. I have repeatedly been given the "that's not a religion, Satan has blinded you" etc etc commentary. When you consider that not many Pagan religions and traditions are in the nature of preaching or trying to spread/push their faith out into or on to the world, you have to expect a level of misunderstanding or lack of knowledge on who or what Pagans are.

1) Author: Please do some research before you write any kind of article especially one centered on the forbidden topics: Sex, Politics or Religion. Or realize that the word "faith" is not limited to christian values in ANY way.
2) The bumper sticker a dig or a razz? Never! Because pagans NEVER are sarcastic</sarcasm>
3) Kristina: Someone has to start playing nice first.... so why not us?

And do I honestly think that it was originally designed to be somewhat offensive, you betcha. Do I think that people have glossed over it and taken it to mean other things. Yup.

" I'll stand by my interpretation of the general use of the term "pagan" and it's use in the bumper sticker that reads "born again pagan". "
- Which you are allowed to do, but understand that in your definition of pagan you too are being antagonistic towards us.

"Words have little meaning except what is derived from their common use."
- The common use of pagan is "I'm pagan, I believe in a "non-mainstream" religion that is usually based on balance, earth worship or polytheism", you sir went with the dictionary definition that is actually very offensive to some pagans

For those of you who don't know the book definition:
Merriam-Webster: one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person

So the next time you decide to write an article that offends a large and VERY vocal community, I suggest doing some research.

Ben I am curious what your educational background is. Do you have a degree in divinity? If so from which school? Did you take a world comparative religions class? How comprehensive was it? Based on comments here, if you did take that class I would seriously question the quality of the educational institution, they obviously short changed you and gave you wrong information or completely omitted information about Paganism/Wicca/Earth-based religions.

Overthinking a bumpersticker a bit much? Indeed.
Having said that, I can see why one of your faith would find it antagonistic...should one overthink it.

Being born and reborn again at multiple milestones in life is part and parcel of Many faiths that do not fall under the umbrella of Judeo Christianity, nobody gets to hold a monopoly on those. Take a deep breath, and then take a comparative religion class. You might just learn something.

According to the opinion of the author, and of most Christians out there, being a born again Christian is one who has rejected their past, godless lives, having accepted Jesus as their personal saviour and are “born” in the faith as a Christian. The bumper sticker in question, Born Again Pagan, is simply the very same declaration that one has made regarding their acceptance of one of the Pagan faiths.

A born again Pagan is one who has realized that the divine is inherent in each one of us, that the entire Universe is interconnected, and that we have the ultimate responsibility for ourselves, our actions and our words, and have been “born” into the faith of Paganism.

Contrary to the opinion of Mr. Cathey, Pagans are very moral. We cannot simply go out “for guilt free personal expression, sexual experimentation, speech, and pleasure seeking through almost any means (art, money, things, people, hobbies, sex, politics, practices, health, drugs, etc.)” We realize that our thoughts, words, and actions are representative of ourselves and we look within to find the Divine spark within ourselves to do what is moral, proper, and spiritual. Self responsibility is a cornerstone of the Pagan faiths. We do not believe in an evil entity that tempts us to do wrong, but understand that any wrong done is solely our responsibility.

Actually to me it is born again. I believe I have been born again into a better faith, the Pagan faith such as it is. To not be answerable to anyone but the Gods and my own conscience. I see my rebirth out of Christianity and back into the pagan faith is to be born out of ignorance and into truth. Though I often find it interesting that most religions all claim to have cornered the market on truth, and that only theirs is valid. And I suppose I am no different.

I think this is a two way street and to go further I do not believe Christians have anymore of the claim to born again than any number of religions that have a deity that died and was resurrected. It is that arrogance that is more of the issue than the actual phrase of "born again". It is like Donald Trump thinking he owns the exclusive rights to "Your Fired".

I think it is this need to feel persecuted by most Christians, especially "born again" Christians, that should be a larger cause of concern for those of your faith. That seems to be what has fueled most of the religious persecutions of the last 1000 years and really should be addressed. That you can not validate your own faith without attacking other faiths is troubling. Faith should come from within not by attacking those outside of it.

Pastor Ben Cathey, if you really DO believe the things you say on your website, then perhaps you should rethink your approach to people who believe differently than you do.

From your website:

"What if we told you that there was a place in your community that was full of people who actually wanted you to be part of their thing?"

Your article certainly doesn't make pagans feel wanted, for the many reasons explained above in comments.

"You will find accepting, unpretentious people who look a lot like anyone you would see at Kroger or QT on a Tuesday afternoon."

Your article is certainly NOT accepting.

"We hope you find Him in the smiles from other people, in the accepting atmosphere, while singing songs, while listening to a message, by listening to the wonder in your child’s voice, or by closing your eyes to pray."

Your article certainly does NOT indicate the presence of an accepting atmosphere.

Pastor Ben Cathey, please try to do better. If you REALLY want people to accept your god, you will educate yourself before speaking about pagans in another article. As it is, the combination of ignorance and arrogance that you displayed here just reinforces the stereotypical view of Christians as, well, ignorant and arrogant.

"And it harm none, Do what thou will"
Meaning the environment, others (bipedal and non), and oneself (no drugs, no excessive drinking, being carefull with the body you were given)..... I am a former Christian (was raised that way) and when I read the full Wiccan Rede it was like coming home. How can a faith, a concept, that is so accepting, so loving, so undemanding, be anything like what you describe.
"I am a Witch,
I am one with the Earth
The Universe,
And the Divine.
May this day be free
Of strife and fear.
May only love
And joy come near.
With blessings given
And recieved,
I walk in peace,
In word and dead."

This is what I live by now, as a Witch, a Pagan, a Mother, and a Woman...
Blessed Be.

*deed* gotta love auto correct...

I think that many raised in the faith (especially in the south) have heard the term "born again" so many times that many believe that just by believing, something invisible happens. Not necessarily. When I was 28, I did a lot of soul searching and studied many faiths, including what this meant in christianity. What born again means is this: When God created man, he became a "living" soul. When man chose to go outside of God's protection, his spirit died. He/ she went from (spiritual) life to (spiritual) death. man couldn't save his spirit from death from that time forward. Someone would have to pay the price so that recreation could take place. When God Himself came in the flesh, He died on the cross (nailed to the cross meant he willingly gave up His life), and then paid the price in hell (for us), and was then raised to glorification. In the book of Colossians, Jesus is called, the "first born from the dead". It concludes, that those who accept his sacrifice can then ask to be raised with Him. They are literally born from death unto life as well.

To the author of this article: You really haven't a clue what Paganism is about, do you? In Paganism, "born again" refers to the idea of reincarnation. We are "born again, and again, and again..." get it? Not only that, you miss on so many facts about Paganism that it can't all be gone into here. What a narrow mind!

As a practicing Pagan in a largely fundamentalist Christian community (notice how I capitalized the name of BOTH spiritual belief systems out of respect) I have to keep my beliefs to myself more often than not. It's really sad how Christians are the first to claim they are being persecuted and the first to scream about religious rights but by the same token they are generally the first to want to stomp out the rights of those who practice other faiths. I hope this publication will think twice about allowing the uneducated, uninitiated and unenlightened to represent their community's level of tolerance. Unless, of course, the whole community is that backward thinking.

It's often a bad idea to try to gain an understanding of Paganism from a non-Pagan, especially if he has an agenda.

"Pagan" is a broad umbrella term for a group of religions, most of them earth-based or drawing at least partly from ancient pre-Chrisitan or indigenous religion and mythology. There are so many modern Pagan religions that it's a bad idea to try to stereotype them or place them in neat little boxes. These religions are not exact copies of the ancient traditions, and for practical reasons the moral values in Pagan religions tend to fall within the spectrum of mainstream Western values.

In today's modern western society, religion does not necessarily equate with strong moral values, nor does it necessarily equate with adherence to moral values. Plenty of Christians do not adhere to the moral dictates of their own church.

Paganism does not necessarily imply turning away from Christianity. There are people who refer to themselves as ChristoPagans or Christian witches, etc. These are people who praise and follow Jesus and/or incorporate Biblical teachings in their Pagan practices.

I am what you could call a born again Pagan. I was raised in a Christian household and don't remember a time when I didn't question the things I read or heard. I felt out of place throughout my entire childhood and adolescence. It wasn't until I started studying religion as an adult that I came to be "born again". I discovered that no one creation myth was any more or less ridiculous than the next. I also realized that while the teachings of Jesus were good, there are countless instances in the Bible that I don't find moral at all.
Yes. I feel that I make good, moral decisions outside of the Christian religion. That doesn't mean my faith isn't involved. I make my decisions out of thoughtfulness about those I have an effect on. I make some of my decisions, like recycling, in honor of my faith. I don't, however, make any moral decisions based on fear. I try to be the best person I can be for the sake of being good and not because I don't want to spend eternity in Hell.
I don't have a Born Again bumper sticker. I don't have any bumper stickers. I try to display my spirituality in deeds more than advertising, but I do have Pagan shirts and jewelry. I buy it and wear it because I am proud of being Pagan. I love my faith and my Deity. I don't think most Pagans put these stickers on theirs cars with any more intent to offend than people that put Jesus fish on their cars.
We stole the idea? Let it go. That's like me being angry at you over Christmas and Easter.

I have had that bumper sticker...and I considered it to have a duel meaning. Yes, a slight dig or joke but also my truth. That bumper sticker went along with the "Born again, and again, and again" sticker. I'm sure some Christians are offended by it. I can't help it if they can't take a little joke. If I can take being told I'm being deceived and going to hell without jumping up and down they can take a little bumper sticker.

As for the meaning of Pagan (capitalized or not) the dictionary lists more than one. Yes the Merriam Wesbster has the definition: one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person. But if anyone noticed that is the second definition. The first definition is: 1

: heathen 1; especially: a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome).

Both of these are rather new. The definitions I remember when I first looked it up were someone who had no religion...or someone who wasn't Christian, Jewish or Muslim.

So I why don't we just use the Oxford definition:
noun - a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions

Not to mention that the bumper sticker is a reference to reincarnation. We are born again and again and still Pagan. It is a literal term for us about rebirth after death. Just a thought. You never know though we could have been a different religion in a past life. hahahaha But in this life we were Born Again Pagan.
Rev. Willow Moon

Good afternoon ….. Infidels

One thing all could agree on here - including the original author.

R... you're being insubordinate again! :-))

Way to reinforce that ignorant, bigoted southerner stereotype

Refusing to acknowledge that Paganism refers to a group of faiths doesn't make you right. It makes you wilfully blind. You quote Amazing Grace and speak to it being about a new knowledge of life and experience through your god. Does following that god necessitate that you are blind to obvious facts?

There is more to the world than your black and white dichotomy. Being able to see the world in wondrous colour that holds none above the other is what being 'Born Again' to Paganism means to many who choose the phrase. I'm not claiming that it's not meant to be antagonistic on it's face. I'm sure that it is. But it has other meanings as well. Christianity doesn't own the term 'Born Again'; just as they don't hold the patent on life changing religious experience.

I learned something new today. I had no idea that the bumper sticker was intended to be antagonistic or offensive. I always thought that it simply meant that the Pagan was reborn into his religion.

Come to think of it, the concept of rebirth is a common theme in world mythologies. From that standpoint, a Pagan with that bumper stick may be sincere.

Get over yourself!! Who said that this Bumper Sticker had ANYTHING to do with Christianity? Isn't a "Born Again Christian" someone who was a Christian but then had some life altering experience that moved them to Re-embrace their faith, with renewed fervor at that. This particular phrase doesn't mean that in order to be a "born again" something you must be Christian first! The Bumper Sticker in question, and I am familiar with it, is a play on words. Pagans believe in re-incarnation. Therefore, using it as a literal term as well as a clever turn of phrase, as in reborn.....reincarnated....get it?

Sheesh!!

It sounds like the author of this article didn't do anymore research on paganism than the woman who writes the Dear Prudie column for slate. Less than 5 minutes of homework would have saved them both from idiocy and ignorance.

Oh cool. You can put things on the calendar on the "Loganville Patch". I'll have to remember that for Pagan Pride day.

Thanks for drawing our attention to that Ben. And Thanks for yet another excuse for our Pagan Community in Georgia to close ranks. Much appreciated.

Mr. Cathey: suggest you meditate on the Pagan version of the old Christian song, "Gimme dat Old Time Religion." It has a thousand and one verses. Here's one:

We will worship Aphrodite,
Though they say she's mighty flighty,
But she wears a see-through nightie:
She's good enough for me!

Tell me, is this seeking to offend Christians, or Hellenists? Maybe women as well? With a good poke at men for being coarse-minded, lascivious fools?

Two classes of people do not find satire funny when it is directed at them. One class is the oppressed: they generally retreat or lash out in pain. The other class is the pompous: they generally respond with a letter to the editor indicating how deeply offended they are by the coarse attempt at juvenile humor.

At its best, satire is a call to humility. That was still a Christian (and a Pagan) virtue last time I checked....

For your consideration.

Amazing Grace, the much played nd publicized in the past few decades was actually a Native American Indian origin and not Christian/white hymns.
Pagans, spiritualists, Wiccans, those who are not of Christian beliefs are called Heathens by the so called "good and moral Christians." They tend to cheapen our beliefs and respect for Mother Earth and call us Devil or Satan worshipers, which we are not, Christians have no respect for Mother Earth and all the living things as their actions have proven, yet they sit there on their false high moral throne made from the very soul of Mother Earth, thinking that at any time, their God will come in and clean up the mess they have created in the name of greed and power. They are wrong, but who are we the Heathens they call us to point out the error of their ways. You cannot show those who refuse to see the outcome of their destruction done to Mother Earth in their unholy quest for more.
The Natives have a saying, it sometimes uses different examples in the wording, but the meaning remains the same : "After the last animal is slaughtered, the last tree cut down and all the waters poisoned, only then will you realize you cannot eat money."

Hi Themon the Bard, I have been in Indian country for some time and longer that the resurgence of this song in the past few decades when I was able to travel the Red Road-aka powwow trail. It was sometimes song when most of the days activities were winding down. I have heard this same thing from many elders from many tribes in numerous states. The reason it may not have been recognized or given credit to the Native peoples is it was no doubt sung in their Native language and as the majority of Natives mostly had an oral language tradition and did not have a written out language as many other people of the world had, it is easy to understand and as Indians were forced into assimilation and had to learn English it was gradually translated into English*. As for other sources denoting its origins as theirs, would not be the first time literature was plagiarized. Usually for money whereas Natives did not have the lust for money or as we put it the yellow metal that makes white men go crazy(gold). I tend to trust the sources form my Indian elders as they had no concept of lying about this.
* Also we can thank the Navajo Code talkers for saving America's behind in WW2, they never had a written language and their service to America is barely recognized even to this day.

The fact of the matter here, Ben, is that the vast majority of people with this bumper sticker are not pagans in the way you describe them in your piece, but rather like those who have commented afterward. I would hard pressed to think of a single person I've encountered who calls themselves pagan who thinks of themselves in a way at all similar to what you have described. I have met dozens if not hundreds of pagans, and they all think of it as a religion, or something somewhat like a religion or faith. They do not see it as an absence thereof that allows them to pursue personal pleasure. That just is not a thing people who describe themselves as pagans think or do. What you have described simply does not exist among the vast majority of people who describe themselves as pagan, and I would venture to guess that it could be expanded to include virtually *all* of those who describe themselves as pagan. The definition you are using is one that people who are not pagan use to describe pagans, and it originates from a very old, fundamental misunderstanding of the concept.

Basically, and I don't mean to be rude, but the entire premise of your piece is fundamentally flawed, and obviously, provably wrong. Even a minimal amount of research into this topic will show you that what I am saying is true.

Wow...just, wow. Ben Cathey, you know absolutely nothing about Paganism. Your opinion is yours, and you are free to it...but this article is totally bogus and really hurts what Pagans have been trying to do...bring about equality and respect for who we are.

The bumper sticker you are referring to does not mean what you seem to think it means. Pagans believe in reincarnation - the soul coming back in a different body to this plane of existence. The bumper sticker is a play on words.

Paganism isn't a lack of total faith. It isn't a mere lack of Christian faith. And it certainly isn't a lack of personal responsibility. It is a belief in other deities. That is why we don't call ourselves atheists or humanists. We have faith and believe in Gods/Goddesses other than the Christian one. And like our ancestors, we have a great affinity for the earth and nature.

Christians always like to claim than non-Christians have no morals and no personal accountability. But that is certainly not the case. Many Pagans, myself included, believe in karma - what one puts out into the world, one will receive back. Hence, if one does good, good will come back...but if one does bad, that is what is returned. So if we don't take personal responsibility, we will see a change for the worse in our lives. Morals and good behavior are not only Christian values, they are human ones...in general, most of us strive to be the best we can be.

I'll stand by my interpretation of the general use of the term "pagan" and it's use in the bumper sticker that reads "born again pagan". I don't think the bumper sticker is intended to support a particular pagan religion or value system. Words have little meaning except what is derived from thier common use. I think I got it pretty much right. "Born again" is a precious symbol to Christians that speaks of being dead in sin, but born again into new life because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. A better, less antagonitistic slogan might be Happy Pagan, or Confident Pagan, or New Pagan, or Free Pagan. My apologies for offending the commenters above with my more general use. My article did not include a disclaimer of any kind that would lead one to consider the difference between a "pagan" and one who practices "paganism." Obviously, I did not consider religious pagans. Again, my apology. It has also come to my attention that my article was cross-posted on a facebook page called Pagans R Us. I hope a few of my other articles will be cross posted as well... http://loganville.patch.com/articles/death-is-not-part-of-the-original-design... http://loganville.patch.com/articles/making-sense-of-an-easter-funeral The pagan perspective of them would be interesting... maybe even helpful.

You keep standing on your interpretation Ben ...

Disregard all of those who actually know what they are talking about , ignore adherents to that belief system and insert your own ignorance ...

Typical !

I often describe myself as a Born Again Pagan, but I think the author hear is ignorant about what Pagaism values embrace. The idea that Paganism is about pursuing personal pleasure is really misinformeing the public. Most Pagans consider community service and working on political causes to help mother earth a center of their belief. I am currently taking a Wicca class that include more hours on ethics than I have with a four year degree from Indiana Wesleyan. The Wiccan rede "An it harm none, do what ye will." indicates more than the pursuit of pleasure...

Cathy obviously has NO idea what a pagan is. Lol

Ben, when I discovered Paganism, discovered that there was a word for what I've been and how I've felt my entire life, even while I attended a Christian church and tried to fit in there, even while I tried to believe in a Christian religion that made absolutely no sense to me - when I discovered that I was a Pagan it certainly felt like I was born again, and I couldn't care less if a Christian saw a bumper sticker and chose to make it about himself. The bumper sticker is about the person who slapped it on his or her car, it's not about you, or other Christians like you. Be offended if you like, it makes no difference.

I am glad to see the level of comment, mostly thoughtful. Only Pagans can describe being Pagan from actual practice. And even in that it may be different from person to person as the various religions are about person experience and person relationships to one's god/desses, if one has any. Not all do, some see the gods as archetypes. Our religions are not one size fits all, nor do we claim to have all the same opinions. So far that means we don't suffer from orthodoxy, nor heresy, but we will have to again acquiring either in the future.

Remember what you don't like in other religions and make sure you don't allow that to creep into your own practice and belief. That is more practical than trying to change other people's beliefs and practices, or other religions.

Meanwhile don't limit your friends to just your own religion, there are good people in all of them. We would not like to miss any of them because we cut out a whole group of people.

Maybe this was just a gimmick, an inflammatory opinion post to boost replies and gain attention.

Why else would someone post something so ill-researched and poorly thought out, unless he simply intended to get us riled up? Of course we are good people, of course we do good work, raise our children to be responsible adults, make important contributions to society, live in devotion to our faith. To think otherwise is ludicrous.

Please, get a FIRM education on RELGIONS before posting things that will go INTO THE MINDS OF NON SUSPECTING PEOPLE, and THEN BECOME FACT to them.
Do not BECOME PART of the BRAIN WASHING AGAINST ANOTHER RELIGION.
I am a LONG TERM MISSIONARY having served in Japan as a Christian Missionary. BEFORE GOING THERE I had to: 1. STUDY ALL MAJOR FAITHS
2. LEARN their language 3. Learn their Religions 4. Understand why I am a Christian.
You my dear MUST do the same before ANY FURTHER MIS GUIDANCE comes from your PEN!! May God have mercy on your soul.

The Pagans were our Christian ancestors. And the few that I have known, accept Christianity as an OUTGROWH of their fundamental love for Creation, Mankind, and Earth. They had Savior Gods and Goddesses, who died for humanity, they had miracle workers like Christ, they had gods that were resurrected. They had gods that were half God and half human just like Christ. They had morals and commandments. I have several friends who are at present practicing Wicca or Druidism, and they tell me that they love Christ as one of their "Light and Energy" sources.They tell me that ALL BELIEFS incorporate a God and/or Goddess that is all about compassion, love, forgivenes, sacrifice, resurrection, and Love for God and Love for Mankind. You as a Christian know that Jesus and the Scribes made certain that the Bible showed this: That ALL the Law is a mere INSTRUCTOR to Love God and Love Mankind. And if the Law creates hate, it is ULTIMATELY not part of the Love of God.

Sincerely,

Kathleen, Los Angelos, California

Some people are incapable of understanding and RESPECTING faiths other than their own. Even more unfortunate is that many of these people claim to be "ministers" .The assumption that someone announcing themselves as a member of another faith is meant to be an antagonistic statement is ludicrous. Attempts to defend this viewpoint are ridiculous.
Why ?

I am an easy target aren't I? Easy to be called... oh just pick a word from above.
I was not being sensitive at all to Pagan faith. For the third time. I apologize for not including a disclaimer about Pagan religions. My intent was not to attack any religion, but to describe a common understanding of the word pagan, and to question it's use along with another phrase that is distinctive to the Christian faith.
I did not use the word Pagan, but pagan. The bumper sticker does use the word "born again" and the Christian faith does use those two words in a very unique way that is widely recognized. Sorry... I think the bumper sticker is antagonistic, just like many of the posts above.

Still learning by the way... I certainly know more about Paganism than I knew a few days ago. ...and it's not for lack of education.

Folks, please remember our terms of use. No personal attacks or offensive language, even if well disguised.

"Ben ,
You're an easy target because you wrote an article regarding a belief system you dont know a thing about. You even went so far as to play a weak version of the "Christian Persecution Card" . Know this.... the bumper sticker was no more "antagonistic" then the little fish some folks put on their cars or the crosses some wear around their necks. Get over yourself, it's nothing more than a statement of faith . While you are "learning" and harping on dictionary definitions might I suggest looking up some words?
Start with "respect"

May you be touched by The Noodly Appendage of The Flying Spaghetti Monster in your journey to enlightenment

Reverend Grant (The Shaman of Lama Ding Dong, Pastafarian )

Sharon, could you please make sure that people writing opinion pieces then be factual and not do grand slams at other people's religions making false claims and showing off their ignorance. As a country of a great many religions, most of the worlds known religions, religious attacks are at best risky and at most dangerous to our country. Ben has worked hard to keep the pot boiling.

Ben,
As you have learned, like the Jewish people, Pagans will fight back fight back when attacked. We also give support to those attacked and there are a few million of us in this country. Senator Jesse Helms found that out in the mid 1980s when he thought that we were easy targets.

Christopher, keep in mind the opinions are just that. I have many opinions that you may or may not agree with but I still reserve the right to express those here and they may or may not be based on "facts".

Christopher, this is an opinion piece and everybody contributing here is entitled to an opinion, as long as it is shared in keeping with our terms of use. We welcome discussion, especially if it helps people learn, including learning about other religions and viewpoints.

It would just seem prudent to publish "Opinion Pieces" only from those educated enough to form something resembling an opinion based on "facts" as opposed to ignorance

As much as I disagree with the basis of opinion that comprises this article, I must say that much educational information was posted and I benefitted from it! Also, as a religious "mutt" with Cherokee/Irish/English/Welch ancestry, I want to say I love each and every one of you - Christians, Pagans, Agnostics, Jews, Muslims, Buddists, Taoists, Atheists ~ may you all seek out the Divine daily and may you all savor spiritual illumination ~

And Grant, as much as your posts might have irked me in the past, you have given me some much needed comic relief from grad paper writing today:

Reverend Grant (The Shaman of Lama Ding Dong, Pastafarian )

I am still spitting out my beverage from laughing so hard.

There's a lesson here to be learned...It's that noone likes to be attacked over their beliefs, or be insulted because of them.

The Pagan folks here are clearly offended, and I think they have a right to be and a point. I also see where Ben was going with this; he thought the bumper sticker was a jab at Christianity and took offense. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Who knows? For all we know it could very well been a jab at both. Some people do think all religions are "diseased cults about sky wizards". (some of those same people laughably lecture others about "respect" and are getting a pass for it here..but I won't go there)

I'm a Christian, and I like Ben, think he has a lot of excellent viewpoints...but I wouldn't have written this piece. Respectfully, I think this one was a big swing and a miss. I do not like broad brushstrokes about my faith...and I don't think it's right to take big fat brushstorkes at others. Sometimes that happens, or becomes the perception of what happens, even when it's not the original intent.

I don't believe that Ben took an intentional swing at people of other beliefs here, but, yeah, I can see how that's how it came across. There's a lesson here, it's about mutual respect, and sometimes that involves being taken to task when you swing to broad a brush. That's a lesson for all, Christian, Pagan, and even those who think all religion is a "disease" and a "cult" but somehow wind up on the front end of the lecture about respect.

Now Grant, you know that wouldn't be possible. There are some people who just consider anybody with an opinion different to theirs, ignorant. :).
I'm sure there are many who disagree with Ben here, but I believe he has at least a masters and maybe even a doctorate in theology, so ignorant he is not. Hey, some of my best friends are pagans - some are even Christians. We can actually all get along here.

"so ignorant he is not."

After reading his opening paragraph I find it impossible to agree with you there Sharon...
I'm guessing his degree is in "Christian" theology or some such variant as opposed to "theology" which would be inclusive of all faiths .

Wow! So many things so very interesting in this whole commenting section.

NUMBER 1 - How very amazing that there are so many who practice non-Christian spirituality in this community. Hopefully, Ben's piece has allowed you to connect to those with similar beliefs or at least to create a virtual friendship over your shared experience.
And NUMBER 2 - I'm going to bet that there's a whole lot more people who understand a whole lot more about Pagan beliefs and worship than there were before this was published. Including Ben!

Thanks to all of your for sharing so openly.

Ignorant...
1. Lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated.
2. Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular: "ignorant of astronomy".

It allows me not only to keep in touch with what is happening in the Wiccan community world wide, but the Heathen Community, the Druid Community, even the various Magical Communities. I also discover what would appear unlikely allies, in the Christian Evangelical Community, in the Baptist Christian Community. So even out in the middle of nowhere I can take part in my communities and help out, not to mention net work information. So Pagans today are never isolated, regardless of how far away the nearest Pagans may be from them and they are not limited to what the ordinary media provides for information. There is even a growing Pagan media to start with. Meanwhile Sharon, thank you for allowing us to have our say in the matter. There was a time when Pagans rarely got the chance tell their side of the story. As for all the Pagans that took part, thank you for thoughtful discussion and not just operating on pure emotion. The community has developed a lot of media savvy since when I started back in 1984.

Mr. Cathey's intentions seem a bit murky here. If he is simply writing about how he feels and what his impressions are when he sees a certain bumper sticker, and doesn't claim to be an authority on the people likely to possess such a bumper sticker, that is one thing. We can have a dialogue and talk about what people really mean when they put that bumper sticker on their car. Then it would all be one big misunderstanding and we can all shake hands and be glad that we understand each other better.

However, if he is speaking as learned clergy and an expert on religion, then he is stereotyping and spreading what amounts to thinly veiled hate speech about a group of people belonging to a religion other than his own. It's a common practice, and ministers in the Christian right do it every day. There is no room for understanding because that is not the writer's intention. But is that within the terms of this forum?

Susan, I think for the most part people have stayed within the terms of this forum, which is to have an open dialog - an exchange of opinions and ideas. We have survived talks on race issues as well as political differences and some heavy anti- Christian discussion as well. That we have opposing political, religious and many other viewpoints goes without saying. I believe a forum like this gives us an opportunity to hear other viewpoints - as has obviously happened here. As the editor of this Patch, I appreciate each and every contribution to this discussion, starting with the column by Ben Cathey that open it.

@ Bill Wheaton thank you for posting that article. Interfaith work is very valuable.

This article is not about the Pagan faith. It's about the word "pagan" used next to the words "born again". Rereading the article this morning, I can see how a person who practices Paganism could interpret it as an attack. Obviously, people of Pagan faith, were the furthest thing from my mind when I wrote the article or I would have been more careful with my language out of respect for people who are Pagans (not pagans). For the fourth time . . . I apologize for not including a disclaimer. I can only imagine that going by the name "pagan" is often misunderstood or misinterpreted. I don't even like to use the word Christian because it is so often misunderstood. I prefer follower of Jesus because the phrase speaks of active service and lifestyle instead of passive attendance or belief. I think I'll do an article on the DARWIN fish soon with lots of colorful words about atheists instead of Atheists and see if it gets cross posted on some humanist sites. Come on . . . that was funny. @ Bill Wheaton - thank you.

Wow...

You should really just stop Ben , I'm embarrassed for you ...

Just wow

Ben, maybe your last comment was intended to be humor. I'm not sure. In case it wasn't an attempt at humor, here is a response. "Pagan" and "pagan" are interchangeable. There's an ongoing discussion about whether the word should be capitalized when used in reference to religion. Some folks feel it should always be capitalized, some don't and some folks haven't really given it a lot of thought. Most capitalize the word but some don't. As a result, a Pagan is not going to look at the word "pagan" and believe for one second that the person is talking about a different usage of the word. Bottom line is that most people who understand that Paganism is a religion or a spiritual path do not use it as an obscure derogatory reference to hedonism. It makes the person appear either ill-informed or bigoted. Either way it's offensive. I wouldn't personally dream of trying to convince a person of a certain spiritual path that by not capitalizing it I meant something else.

I should add that context has a lot to do with it too. If it's in an old book that was written prior to the rise of the modern Neopagan movement, and it's not specifically referencing an indigenous people, then I might think that it's a quaint word for hedonist. But if it's used today, on the internet, no, especially when referencing a bumper sticker that Pagans frequently buy from retail establishments that cater to Pagans.

In case you are interested, here is a pretty good article that defines Paganism and talks about capitalization: http://www.neopagan.net/PaganDefs.html

From Wikipedia:
Neopaganism in the United States accounts for roughly a third of all contemporary Pagans worldwide, and for some 0.2% of US population, figuring as the sixth largest non-Christian denomination in the US, after Judaism (1.4%), Islam (0.6%), Buddhism (0.5%), Hinduism (0.3%) and Unitarian Universalism (0.3%).
------
Forgive some us for not better understanding your beliefs... it's obviously not very well understood by many people. I think instead of attacking people because they lack the knowledge of your faith, an attempt to educate and explain to others what it's all about might be more helpful.

And you all do understand, you can write your own story here instead of replying to this same post, maybe that would go a long way toward helping others understand your beliefs, especially to those that know nothing about them.

NGW writes

"Forgive some us for not better understanding your beliefs... it's obviously not very well understood by many people. I think instead of attacking people because they lack the knowledge of your faith, an attempt to educate and explain to others what it's all about might be more helpful. "
OR maybe if one "lacks knowledge" one shouldnt write a column about something he knows nothing about?

Um, Ben...the word "Pagan/pagan" next to the words "born again" IS about the Pagan faith. That is what everyone is trying to explain to you, but you are just not getting. Your article is referencing a modern bumper sticker...how do you think it's not referencing modern Paganism? Now-a-days there is NO OTHER PAGAN, other than those of faith. Whether you capitalize it or not, it is still a faith-based belief system. You should have researched Pagan/pagan before writing an article about that which you clearly know nothing about.

Brandy, I have never in my life met a person with that bumper sticker who wasn't a Pagan with a capital "P," have you? I'm sitting here trying to wrap my head around someone who is not a Pagan putting that bumper sticker on their car, and I just can't, anymore than I can wrap my head around someone claiming the phrase "born again pagan" isn't about Pagans. (shaking head.)

Could you imagine saying, "I wasn't talking about Christians, I was talking about christians?" I can't.

Neither have I, Susan. It just boggles my mind how someone can twist something so completely into what they want to see, regardless off all the facts that are presented to show otherwise.

I honestly CAN understand how someone of a different faith would misunderstand what Paganism is if they really haven't come across it and haven't done any research on it. We all make mistakes...and really, it's ok to say you don't know. But to write an article based on a misconception, and when told repeatedly that a mistake has been made, one would think the person (in this case, Ben) would acknowledge that mistake/misconception and correct it...not continuously back-peddle and apologize for what he believes to be OUR misunderstanding of what was written. The ONLY misunderstanding here is what Ben thinks of pagan vs. Pagan. And unfortunately, until he acknowledges that he indeed made a mistake, this conversation is just going to go in circles.

And all of this over a few words on a bumper sticker...lol. It did open up a dialogue...but again, until Ben acknowledges what we are all trying to say, the dialogue is kind of pointless...other than Pagans getting to know other Pagans.

Brandy,

Oh lets be fair, Pagans can do that as well. How many Wiccans assume that all Pagans have a Wicca Rede, A Rule of Three and believe in Harm none.

As I deal with Heathens, Druid,and other reconstruction Pagans, it is one of their chief complaints about Wiccans. That and the fact that they can't imagine who Wiccans can mix and match gods and goddesses of different Pantheon and then not study those gods be use generalities, even claiming they are all the same. So if thee can be that level of misunderstand among pagans it is not hard to realized how hard it is for none Pagans to come to any conclusions about Pagans as a whole.

Meanwhile can you even begin to imagine what older Pagan groups must think of us new Pagans. Take Hindus that have been around for over five thousand years. Can you even imagine what us new Pagans must like like, ignorant children playing with the gods. Of course most of them do not accept the Pagan label, as that is a Christian, jewish and perhaps Islamic label and those are newer religions.They were the original religions in their part of the world. Note that I say that Hindu is a group of religions not a single religion.Few of us really understand that, and mistakenly thing they are all one religion.

Within Wicca, how many Wiccans think that Wicca is somehow related to whatever old witchcraft was. Remember that witchcraft was. Remember that witchcraft was simply the practice of magic, and often practice of magic was was tagged onto whatever was the religion of the times. So old Witchcraft existed in the burning time, they would have been Christian Witches.

Also remember the old idea in Wicca that somehow we could trace our linage back to goddess worshiping religions going back 40,000 years, to the cave people. Such a romantic idea,but we have no idea what the religions were like that far back. We don't even know if those early people had gone beyond ancestor worship. We know nothing about how they saw the world around them so we begin in applying our world view to them. Highly unlikely.

Take those famous Venus's, the obviously pregnant to the extreme figurines. what are they,we really don't know. But we have had Wiccan jump to the conclusion that those are goddess figures. Maybe, but maybe not. something that even existed in modern tribal people is sympathetic magic.If you can do a ceremony to represent a successful hunt and affect the hunt, why not do a ceremony for fertility using a poppet to increase the chances of becoming pregnant? It is just as likely as that being a goddess figurine.

Oh, I know for sure all the misconceptions that can (and do!) take place even within Paganism. Having gone from being Wiccan to Celtic Reconstructionist, I'm one of those who get a tad irritated when Wiccans claim that all Pagans believe the various gods/goddesses are just aspects of one, among other things.
And I'm not surprised at all by the misconceptions Christians have. I did say I can understand the misconceptions if the Pagan beliefs haven't been studied. What irritates me is when the misconceptions (of any person of any faith) are brought to light and facts presented...and the person/s STILL wants to hold to their ignorance. There's learning what one didn't know when confronted, then there's being stubborn and refusing to see those facts.

Well, I must be one of the 2%. If presented with absolute fact that what I believed was wrong, I would adjust my beliefs accordingly. I look at facts first. Though I'm not sure how a belief can be proven wrong, even in demonstration. A belief by it's very definition is something that cannot be proven. If it can one day be proven, then it is no longer a belief, it becomes fact.
I guess I just cannot understand why facts are swept under the rug in favor of belief. I understand that by being living, thinking beings, who do not know everything, we must rely on some sort of faith at least some of the time. I can live with both facts and belief with neither taking away from the other...but it's hard for me to grasp the idea that not everybody...well, I guess just about nobody, if that study is correct...can live with both. It simply boggles my mind...lol.

Well I notice that it is hard to get Americans to understand that we are just not near as important to the rest of the world as we like to think, that in some ways we are becoming an isolated back water.We still believe the myth that we are a better people, more generous, and nicer than most people, and to some extent that we are to new special people of God, despite the fact God never said so and it is not in the Bible. I suppose that all countries have myths about themselves,but even a lot of the history we teach our kids is closer to myth that to fact.

I have lived through a bit of history in 66 years,and I don't recognize the fifties,sixties and seventies and eighties being portrayed as actual history. Even back then all we knew was only what the media decided to focus on. So what the media focused on is what is written as history today, but little of it had much to do with the average person at the time. Believe it or not more kids got drunk on beer then smoked smoked pot,most people never went to a anti-war march [which had almost no affect on the war,our longest war ever at the time], or took part in a riot, most colleges and universities did not have riots on campus, and the only reason hippies were popular is that middle age magazine editors liked publishing pictures of nude young women.

Now understand that I thought hippies were neat, became very anti war after being in Vietnam and even went to a couple of colleges. I lived in Los Angeles and never saw any of those things, nor did most people, though all of those things fascinated the media and that is what the sixties are known for. It just was not the case for most people. I lived through two Watts riots,but I have never been in Watts in my life, nor would most people in LA. We stuck to our freeways and avoided seeing most of our city as much as possible.

For me 60s was finishing high school starting college,running out of money, picking lemons for Sun Kist, getting drafted into the Marine Corps going to Vietnam and coming home, visiting Great Britain for five months, and trying to stay employed. None of that is considered to be important history. But I remember it vividly.

Now in the early 70s I did live in Little Tokyo downtown, know that the small groups of young Japanese American Communists used to throw pamphlets off the roof of then Sumitomo Banks building once a year, their once a year demonstration. I can tell you what it was like to be part of Nichiren Shoshu an evangelical Japanese Buddhist group of the time. That was when book "Nisei, the quiet American", first gave us stories of the Japanese interment camps of World War Two here in the United States. I used to walk through East L.A. twice each night 4PM to 6PM and 2 AM to 4 AM. and never had any hassled doing but will it ever show on the history channel. But history for a person is always personal.

what is a born again christian?
have they "left" some other belief, or paganism, to become born again in christianity? that has not been my understanding. they are reaffirming their connections, from the "earlier" "birth".
So why is it so DIFFICULT for you to grasp the born again pagan process? Perhaps you need to be sent back for regrooving?