Pagans & Christians: The Personal Spiritual Experience

by Gus diZerega

Book Overview

Although Christianity is still a major religious force, there are growing numbers of people in other faiths, including the various Pagan traditions. Some Christians have responded to this trend with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1567182283
• ISBN13: 9781567182286
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

trying to find some common ground

So much of modern Neo-Pagan literature published today is composed of oversimplified "how to" books. There is little if nothing published about the philosophical components of the Neo-Pagan religions. DiZerega works very hard to build a common ground of terms and ideas from which interfaith dialogue can emerge. diZerega respects the beliefs of both Christians and Pagans as "unique and valuable" ways of knowing "the Sacred," a view that invites not just tolerance but genuine interest in learning from one another.Rather than falling back on pseudo-history to explain why Pagans believe as they do, DiZerega uses his Ph.D. in political science and his fifteen years as a Gardnerian to deconstruct Pagan theology and philosophy in ways that make them easily accessible to both Pagans and non Pagans. The first part of this book discusses the Neo-Pagan worldview. Topics range form perception of time and ethics to conceptions of the divine. I found this section to be highly informative and easy to digest. The second part of this book, "Christian Criticisms of Wicca," discusses and attempts to answer many of the issues a lot of Christians have about Wicca and other Neo-Pagan religions. DiZerega discusses the nature of suffering and evil, spiritual authority, ethics and morality, clergy, and more. He answers the standard Christian objections with respect and with numerous quotes from the Bible. While this section is unlikely to convince many Fundamentalist Christians that Pagans are not following Satan it is well thought out and would hopefully be well received by a majority of non-Fundamentalist Christians. The third section of Pagans & Christians addresses the some of issues Pagans often have with Christianity the perception that Christians are intolerant of others. DiZerega explains how most of the objections many Pagans have with Christianity simply aren't supported by the Bible and Christian tradition. In other words, many of the problems Pagans have with Christianity aren't really with the teachings of Christianity in general, but with the teachings of a relatively small number of fundamentalist Christian sects who shout down the larger, open-minded groups. DiZerega does not pretend to have all the answers, but sets the reader on the path of finding his or her own answers.

The start of a very good dialogue

Having an extensive Christian past and being reletively new to Paganism I found this book very worthwhile and have even sent it to my parents since I read it. It is not written in an accusatory tone and it is clear that a great deal of thought and preparation has gone into it.The first part of the book introduces the reader to Paganism in general and Wicca specifically, and to Pagan spitrituality. The author says he is Wiccan and the Pagan views in the book do seem to reflect that. It is a good introduction I think, especially if the reader has no prior knowledge of Pagan practices at all besides mass media.In the second part of the book addresses and effectively I think invalidates Christian criticisms of Paganism. He does occasionally go off on tangents but usually gets to his point by the time he is back. The tangents he takes are not necessarily bad either, just sometimes unexpected.The third part of the book addresses Pagan criticisms of Christianity. I thought that he did this well. Though some Christians may be offended at his interpretation of some scriptures, because they are not the traditional interpretations, they are not illogical or off the wall interpretations in my mind either. And many of his conclusions are much more intuitive and logical than one will find or hear in the mainstream of Christian doctrine. The last chapter really described his personal spiritual view of Christianity and Paganism and the good things from both that can be garnered to enrich your personal tradition whether you are Pagan, Christian or of another religion entirely. Though I do not necessarily agree with everything that the author says, I cannot at the moment think of the things I thought I needed to think about. I found the work thoughtful and sincere and not written in a way intended to offend anyone. Some Christians may find themselves offended, simply because to come to any kind of common ground they must acknowledge there are other religions in the world that are valid spiritual paths for people, and that the same shoe does not fit everyone's foot. That fact in and of itself will be hard for many. If anyone reads this book with an open mind though, I think they will gain from it. Above all it teaches love, respect and tolerance, which are common principles in most of the world's religions, though many seem to have problems when putting these principles in actual practice.

Finally a learned, tasteful Pagan author

I was really, REALLY surprised by this book. I have never been particularly impressed by the quality of writing in "pagan"- or "wicca"-oriented books (Margot Adler excepted) so I didn't get my hopes too high for this one. Coming from a liberal Christian/Hermetic background, writers such as John Spong, Peter Gomes, Huston Smith and John Dominic Crossan have been the sort of quality I've been used to in my religious reading. Now, I my book, Dr. Dizerega can stand on his own in this stellar company. His writing is reverent, respectful and always scholarly. His quotation of the ancient Pagan philosophers is compelling and persuasive, and gives some real weight to his arguments for Paganism as a valid religious tradition. He also knows his way around the Bible, too, and his admiration for the best in the Christian tradition, particularly of Jesus Himself, shines through. As one who is finding himself increasingly split between both Christian and Pagan worlds, this book is a Godsend. Unfortunately, the editors at Llewellyn didn't give this author the attention or respect he deserves, and a lot of typos have found their way into this edition. Regardless, this book is an asset to Llewellyn's catalogue and to my bookshelf. If you are a Pagan of any sort or tradition, or if you are a Christian who is curious or in spiritual "transition", then by all means, GET THIS BOOK! I have recommended a lot of quality religious/spiritual books to my friends, and now I have a Pagan book to recommend as well. It's about time. Give us more, Gus!

Marvellous

I am still on the 2nd chapter, but already I am absolutely overjoyed by this book. Reading this, I couldn't help saying "Yes! Yes! Yes!" out loud! So far Dizerega has truly expressed all and more than I could have ever hoped for. And his references to the Greek and Roman philosophers Celsus, Plotinus, Stoics, and Neo-Platonists ring with such musical sonorance in my ears (I have these books on my shelf and treasure them). Indeed, this erudite, historically accurate, and above all civilized yet not condescending, writing style makes this book a fantastic addition to your collection, whether you be a devout Christian who wants to understand or a devout Pagan who also wants to understand. :) Highly recommended.

Excellent, thoughful book

In this time of interfaith dialog, this book assists Christians and Pagans/Earth Religionists (and others) to understand the viewpoints from which each group operates with emphasis on how each religion relates to the natural world. DiZerega is respectful whilst discussing differences and similarities between the worldviews in question. In clear and readable prose he compares and contrasts the Pagan and Christian worldviews, covering areas such as cyclic vs linear time, relationship with the natural world, spiritual authority and the nature of suffering. Whether the reader is Christian or Pagan, this book will enrich their view of their own religion and promote understanding of the Other. This book is a valuable contribution to the discourse on religion in America.