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Pagans & Christians: The Personal Spiritual Experience
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 fear and derision, while some Pagans have reacted to that fear with anger and mistrust.
Much of the problem is due to misunderstandings and lack of communication. This can change with Gus diZerega's "Pagans & Christians." Here you will find a penetrating and illuminating comparison, showing that neither path has the single correct approach to the Divine. Rather, either or both can be authentic and legitimate expressions of the appreciation of the Ultimate Source of All.
"Pagans & Christians" is an ideal way to help bridge what at time seems a wide chasm between Christian and Pagan beliefs. By sharing core ideas of both paths, this book provides a way to give deeper mutual understanding and unity among the religions of the world.
Although "Pagans & Christians" accepts both paths as valid, the book provides a more in-depth explanation of Paganism o the minority religion because in some ways, Paganism demands a greater defense and explanation of its beliefs and ideas to dispel misunderstandings. The author is a Third Degree Gardenerian Elder and in "Pagans & Christians" has presented nothing less than a brilliant defense of Paganism, clearly showing how it should stand beside all of the major religions of the world as an equal. As part of this defense, diZerega gives a listing of biblical contradictions and Christian philosophical difficulties which can help any Pagan responding to a negative attack, and will help any Christian to view his or her religion as a way, not the way.
Winner of the 2001 Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) Award for Best Non-fiction Book
Much of the problem is due to misunderstandings and lack of communication. This can change with Gus diZerega's "Pagans & Christians." Here you will find a penetrating and illuminating comparison, showing that neither path has the single correct approach to the Divine. Rather, either or both can be authentic and legitimate expressions of the appreciation of the Ultimate Source of All.
"Pagans & Christians" is an ideal way to help bridge what at time seems a wide chasm between Christian and Pagan beliefs. By sharing core ideas of both paths, this book provides a way to give deeper mutual understanding and unity among the religions of the world.
Although "Pagans & Christians" accepts both paths as valid, the book provides a more in-depth explanation of Paganism o the minority religion because in some ways, Paganism demands a greater defense and explanation of its beliefs and ideas to dispel misunderstandings. The author is a Third Degree Gardenerian Elder and in "Pagans & Christians" has presented nothing less than a brilliant defense of Paganism, clearly showing how it should stand beside all of the major religions of the world as an equal. As part of this defense, diZerega gives a listing of biblical contradictions and Christian philosophical difficulties which can help any Pagan responding to a negative attack, and will help any Christian to view his or her religion as a way, not the way.
Winner of the 2001 Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) Award for Best Non-fiction Book
264 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2001
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192 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 6, 2012
I was really quite happy with the first part of the book where he simply describes what Pagan spirituality is. I've been reading a lot of books about it, but never really got a straight answer on the subject. Learning that there are certain similarities to all Pagans, yet it's completely normal for others not to believe everything others do was reassuring.
The two other parts of the book were also very intriguing. The chapter on Christian criticisms of Paganism made me realize just how much my Christian upbringing has affected my spiritual journey. The section on Wiccan/Pagan criticisms of Christianity was very good without completely attacking Christians. And his conclusion of the entire book was very well thought-out.
I'm very happy I picked up this book earlier in the year. It will help me to notice when I'm letting my own upbringing stand in the way of spiritual progress, and also helped me to look at Christians with a gentler, compassionate eye again.
The two other parts of the book were also very intriguing. The chapter on Christian criticisms of Paganism made me realize just how much my Christian upbringing has affected my spiritual journey. The section on Wiccan/Pagan criticisms of Christianity was very good without completely attacking Christians. And his conclusion of the entire book was very well thought-out.
I'm very happy I picked up this book earlier in the year. It will help me to notice when I'm letting my own upbringing stand in the way of spiritual progress, and also helped me to look at Christians with a gentler, compassionate eye again.
April 14, 2017
In light of my recent spiritual explorations, this book is exactly the kind I'd been looking for. I stumbled across it in a used bookstore in St. Louis and noticed that it seemed to be discussing the pagan worldview in a philosophical/theological way, rather than as a how-to manual for aspiring witches (which most of the books on Paganism I've seen so far have been).
That assessment proved correct. Gus diZerega presents an argument that Christianity can be interpreted alongside pagan traditions (and vice versa) as another valid way of connecting with the Divine. He starts with an explanation of how most Pagans view the world: as a living place full of change and variety, and this change and variety is what makes the world good and beautiful. Because of this infinite variety, we all have differences in what religions resonate best with us.
He goes on to address some common criticisms of Paganism that Christians may present. I found his explanations satisfying, and it helped my budding religious-studies brain see ways to reframe arguments I'd heard from the Christian perspective only. diZerega makes the point that we take many ideas about the universe for granted because the Christian worldview is so integrated into the Western one, and that there are in fact other ways of seeing things.
diZerega also spends a few chapters discussing his own criticisms of common Christian ideas -- not that they are wrong (per se), but that they are not the only correct interpretation. I appreciated these chapters, but I do not think they would hold up against a serious apologetics master. And they don't have to; I don't think any devout Christian reading this book would be swayed to deconvert. Nor should they! From the beginning, diZerega's aim has been clear: to promote understanding between two historically contentious religions, and make a case for harmonious coexistence. By the end, I find he's achieved this point happily, with a tenderness for Christian spiritual experiences that was unexpected and touching.
That assessment proved correct. Gus diZerega presents an argument that Christianity can be interpreted alongside pagan traditions (and vice versa) as another valid way of connecting with the Divine. He starts with an explanation of how most Pagans view the world: as a living place full of change and variety, and this change and variety is what makes the world good and beautiful. Because of this infinite variety, we all have differences in what religions resonate best with us.
He goes on to address some common criticisms of Paganism that Christians may present. I found his explanations satisfying, and it helped my budding religious-studies brain see ways to reframe arguments I'd heard from the Christian perspective only. diZerega makes the point that we take many ideas about the universe for granted because the Christian worldview is so integrated into the Western one, and that there are in fact other ways of seeing things.
diZerega also spends a few chapters discussing his own criticisms of common Christian ideas -- not that they are wrong (per se), but that they are not the only correct interpretation. I appreciated these chapters, but I do not think they would hold up against a serious apologetics master. And they don't have to; I don't think any devout Christian reading this book would be swayed to deconvert. Nor should they! From the beginning, diZerega's aim has been clear: to promote understanding between two historically contentious religions, and make a case for harmonious coexistence. By the end, I find he's achieved this point happily, with a tenderness for Christian spiritual experiences that was unexpected and touching.
June 6, 2019
Pagans & Christians is not the book I thought it was going to be, since I confused its title with another from a preview on Google Books. Nevertheless, I found it an easy and engaging read that was far more charitable to a Pagan-Christian dialogue than I think I could have been. Continuing in the tradition of the first five centuries CE in which Pagans such as Celsus, Porphyry, and Emperor Julian confronted Christian doctrine and polemics and were in turn responded to by the likes of Origin and Cyril of Alexandria, Gus diZerega presents an interfaith dialogue from the Pagan perspective for the 21st Century. Barring the contemporary Pagan claim to an intellectual heritage to classical Paganism, diZerga is clear that his principle point of reference is the contemporary religion of Wicca and consistently defers to his denomination while simultaneously trying to cast a wide net to include other contemporary Pagan strains.
This works against him in the end, since to ask ten Pagans what it is they believe is to receive thirteen different answers, and couching one's arguments with a nod to the fact that not everyone will agree does not absolve oneself of deprioritizing one's particular tradition in speaking for a wider tradition. His critiques of Christianity aren't entirely new, with many appeals that could have been lifted from Celsus or Julian. His counter arguments to Christian criticisms of Paganism start with intriguing premises but he rarely follows them through to the promised end, relying more or less on absolute personal experience over intellectual interrogation. In discussing Christian love versus Pagan love, his argument rests entirely on the experience of divine presence commonly referred to as gnosis, but doesn't seize the opportunity to hammer it home that his experience with the Wiccan Goddess is perfectly analogous to a Christian's experience of Grace. Inserting this point of agreement between Christians and Pagans would set him up for the golden opportunity of demonstrating that these experiences both sit at the heart of ethics for both traditions.
Discussing ethics is, however, something diZerega does well. His commentary on the Wiccan Rede is thought provoking and far beyond the commentary normally associated with "An ye harm none, do as thou wilt". By acknowledging the fundamental flaw of "do no harm"--ie, it is impossible to realize in practice--he builds an exegesis that does not rely on literalism and engages in the type of deep allegory recommended in the Third Century by Sallustius in his "On the Gods and the World". I think this is an area where diZerega really and truly shines. Placing his discussion of ethics before his discussion of the experience of divine love, however, robs him of the opportunity to take his exegesis of the Rede's eight simple words and compare it to the voluminous exegesis of the Christian Bible.
Overall I think diZerega would have been better served titling his book Wiccans & Christians and focused more on those arguments that apply to and originate within Wicca specifically. By casting a wide net he caught fewer fish, and weakened his arguments as a result. Overall I think it's a perfectly wonderful place for anyone interested in the Pagan experience, but should not be considered the final say on any of the arguments made, and anyone who reads it should follow up with others in the field such as Edward Butler, Galina Krassovka, Michael Hardy, and others.
This works against him in the end, since to ask ten Pagans what it is they believe is to receive thirteen different answers, and couching one's arguments with a nod to the fact that not everyone will agree does not absolve oneself of deprioritizing one's particular tradition in speaking for a wider tradition. His critiques of Christianity aren't entirely new, with many appeals that could have been lifted from Celsus or Julian. His counter arguments to Christian criticisms of Paganism start with intriguing premises but he rarely follows them through to the promised end, relying more or less on absolute personal experience over intellectual interrogation. In discussing Christian love versus Pagan love, his argument rests entirely on the experience of divine presence commonly referred to as gnosis, but doesn't seize the opportunity to hammer it home that his experience with the Wiccan Goddess is perfectly analogous to a Christian's experience of Grace. Inserting this point of agreement between Christians and Pagans would set him up for the golden opportunity of demonstrating that these experiences both sit at the heart of ethics for both traditions.
Discussing ethics is, however, something diZerega does well. His commentary on the Wiccan Rede is thought provoking and far beyond the commentary normally associated with "An ye harm none, do as thou wilt". By acknowledging the fundamental flaw of "do no harm"--ie, it is impossible to realize in practice--he builds an exegesis that does not rely on literalism and engages in the type of deep allegory recommended in the Third Century by Sallustius in his "On the Gods and the World". I think this is an area where diZerega really and truly shines. Placing his discussion of ethics before his discussion of the experience of divine love, however, robs him of the opportunity to take his exegesis of the Rede's eight simple words and compare it to the voluminous exegesis of the Christian Bible.
Overall I think diZerega would have been better served titling his book Wiccans & Christians and focused more on those arguments that apply to and originate within Wicca specifically. By casting a wide net he caught fewer fish, and weakened his arguments as a result. Overall I think it's a perfectly wonderful place for anyone interested in the Pagan experience, but should not be considered the final say on any of the arguments made, and anyone who reads it should follow up with others in the field such as Edward Butler, Galina Krassovka, Michael Hardy, and others.
November 25, 2023
For those looking for an intellectual defense of paganism, this is the best book I have read for a serious comparative treatment of paganism.
The author describes their form of Wiccan paganism thoroughly, with comparisons made between other form. "Paganism" for this author describes huge swaths of spiritual practices, including modern Wicca, indigenous religions, and the classical paganism of the Western World. Interestingly, the script is flipped on Christians who claim Judeo-Christian values as the foundation for the modern Western world as the author argues that the Western tradition in fact starts with classical paganism. Descartes belongs to the Christians, Plato belongs to the pagans, and I suppose they can split the Roman Empire.
I do not think this book has compelling arguments about the truth of religious pluralism. I doubt its exegesis of John 14:6 would not convince a conservative Christian to accept paganism (or any other religion) as an acceptable spiritual path. Pagans are willing to accept many more practices as valid paths to the Divine than Christians, and I think it would be very hard to convince conservative Christians otherwise. But perhaps it would be compelling to more liberal Christians.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in paganism, and to Christians as well to see another perspective. Although I think it is possible to be more rigorous, it has the best explanation and defense of paganism that I have read, and makes paganism much more difficult to dismiss as a mere superstition.
The author describes their form of Wiccan paganism thoroughly, with comparisons made between other form. "Paganism" for this author describes huge swaths of spiritual practices, including modern Wicca, indigenous religions, and the classical paganism of the Western World. Interestingly, the script is flipped on Christians who claim Judeo-Christian values as the foundation for the modern Western world as the author argues that the Western tradition in fact starts with classical paganism. Descartes belongs to the Christians, Plato belongs to the pagans, and I suppose they can split the Roman Empire.
I do not think this book has compelling arguments about the truth of religious pluralism. I doubt its exegesis of John 14:6 would not convince a conservative Christian to accept paganism (or any other religion) as an acceptable spiritual path. Pagans are willing to accept many more practices as valid paths to the Divine than Christians, and I think it would be very hard to convince conservative Christians otherwise. But perhaps it would be compelling to more liberal Christians.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in paganism, and to Christians as well to see another perspective. Although I think it is possible to be more rigorous, it has the best explanation and defense of paganism that I have read, and makes paganism much more difficult to dismiss as a mere superstition.
June 6, 2017
An interesting read that doesn't fit neatly into a genre. Part apologia for paganism, part love letter to the better angels of Christianity's nature, part forward-looking historical meditation, this book was both insightful and far-ranging. I learned a lot from it. The style was easy to read, but the topics were still treated with depth. I've been given a lot to think about by this enjoyable read...
March 5, 2009
Все ещё читаю Гуса Ди Зеригу "Христиане и язычники: Анализ воззрений и поиски взаимопонимания". Можно сколько угодно спорить о её сомнительной интеллектуальной ценности и явной вторичности, тем более, что я и так признаю, что за плечами уже полкниги, а новых мыслей я в ней пока не обнаружила. Но ценность её несомненна. По крайней мере в Москве.
Есть в этой книге абзац: "Некоторые психологи пользуются стандартизированными чернильными пятнами, которые называются тестом Роршаха, для диагностики проблем у клиентов. В зависимости от состояния психики пациента одно и то же самое пятно может вызвать ряд различных ассоциаций. Я полагаю, что для многих людей Библия является некой разновидностью "духовного теста Роршаха", интерпретации которого гораздо больше говорят о человеке, объясняющем его смысл, чем о "реальном" смысле".
Так вот, я ношу с собой по городу книгу, которую читаю. Что поразительно: ни книги по магии и Таро, ни стремные учебники по анатомии и психиатрии, не вызывают такого живого отклика у народа вокруг. Вчера бабушка в очереди, судя по лексикону, достаточно образованная дама, полчаса мне рассказывала, почему нельзя вместе употреблять слова "христианство" и "язычество", в чем не прав автор, назвавший книгу именно так, и сколько богохульников наплодит таким образом издательский дом ГРАНД. И это не первый прецедент.
Поэтому я напряглась, когда со мной пожелал заговорить интеллигентный юноша кавказской наружности, заинтересованно разглядывавший обложку моей книги. Он сказал, что по вероисповеданию он мусульманин, и что он филисоф и очень интересуется религиоведением, особенно в той его части, что касается политеистических учений и индуизма. Спросил, где можно приобрести такую книгу. Я честно сказала, что не знаю. Потом мы ещё чуть-чуть побеседовали об Олдо Леопольде, которого тот ещё читает, о проблеме вегетарианства и этике А. Швейцера. Интересно, что такого чудесного есть в Коране и нет в Библии, что... Ну да ладно, дело ж не в книгах. Смысл в глазах читающего.
Есть в этой книге абзац: "Некоторые психологи пользуются стандартизированными чернильными пятнами, которые называются тестом Роршаха, для диагностики проблем у клиентов. В зависимости от состояния психики пациента одно и то же самое пятно может вызвать ряд различных ассоциаций. Я полагаю, что для многих людей Библия является некой разновидностью "духовного теста Роршаха", интерпретации которого гораздо больше говорят о человеке, объясняющем его смысл, чем о "реальном" смысле".
Так вот, я ношу с собой по городу книгу, которую читаю. Что поразительно: ни книги по магии и Таро, ни стремные учебники по анатомии и психиатрии, не вызывают такого живого отклика у народа вокруг. Вчера бабушка в очереди, судя по лексикону, достаточно образованная дама, полчаса мне рассказывала, почему нельзя вместе употреблять слова "христианство" и "язычество", в чем не прав автор, назвавший книгу именно так, и сколько богохульников наплодит таким образом издательский дом ГРАНД. И это не первый прецедент.
Поэтому я напряглась, когда со мной пожелал заговорить интеллигентный юноша кавказской наружности, заинтересованно разглядывавший обложку моей книги. Он сказал, что по вероисповеданию он мусульманин, и что он филисоф и очень интересуется религиоведением, особенно в той его части, что касается политеистических учений и индуизма. Спросил, где можно приобрести такую книгу. Я честно сказала, что не знаю. Потом мы ещё чуть-чуть побеседовали об Олдо Леопольде, которого тот ещё читает, о проблеме вегетарианства и этике А. Швейцера. Интересно, что такого чудесного есть в Коране и нет в Библии, что... Ну да ладно, дело ж не в книгах. Смысл в глазах читающего.
August 10, 2014
A not-too-scholarly, layperson's approach to reconciling differences between Christian and Pagan perspectives. This is written from a Pagan perspective--perhaps with the intention of helping Pagans with Christian friends/relatives learn to make their faith seem less threatening by giving them talking points--and it offers quite a lot of philosophy on why these two faiths are not so different. It discusses the misconception that a religion needs to depend on claims of exclusivity to be authentic, and it urges people of both faiths to coexist. With a lovely explanation of what Paganism embodies, it first defines the overall experience and then reconciles it with the beliefs Christians hold. And finally, it deconstructs a few arguments from both sides (Christian objections to Paganism, Pagan objections to Christianity), helping everyone realize they really CAN "just get along."
I enjoyed the tone and the presentation of the arguments; diZerega does not attempt to pretend he's objective on this issue since he is coming from a Pagan perspective, but he has such a sweet disposition throughout the text (without being dippy!) and encourages spiritual people of all types to celebrate their similarities rather than fighting over their differences. And it really helps point out the divinity in all things--something both Pagans and Christians should devote their lives to acknowledging.
I enjoyed the tone and the presentation of the arguments; diZerega does not attempt to pretend he's objective on this issue since he is coming from a Pagan perspective, but he has such a sweet disposition throughout the text (without being dippy!) and encourages spiritual people of all types to celebrate their similarities rather than fighting over their differences. And it really helps point out the divinity in all things--something both Pagans and Christians should devote their lives to acknowledging.
May 27, 2014
A helpful description of Paganism from the inside and an honest treatment of the similarities and differences between Paganism and Christianity. I think at the very end of the book DiZerega was insufficiently critical of the stories of Christian wrongdoing in cases like the murder of Hypatia, the Inquisition, and witch hunts -- there was enough evil without the exaggerations and misinterpretations and biased interpretations. For the most part DiZerega is knowledgeable about and sympathetic to Christianity. Christians can learn from this book about their own tradition's often neglected earth-centered spirituality. A new insight for me was DiZerega's critique of making, as in "God made the world." Making implies a world that exists for some purpose other than its own sake. DiZerega prefers emanation or giving birth as descriptions of the relation of deity to the world. I'd say we need all three descriptions and maybe a couple more, like calling forth and letting be. They're all in the Bible, but Christians seem to focus exclusively on making, so DiZerega's criticism is right on.
March 17, 2016
I am very impressed with this book. DiZerega presents both sides of many of the common debates without anger or spite. In my experience, comparisons between paganism and Christianity typically lead to mud-slinging, spewed hatred and very little understanding or compassion on either side. I find that attitude makes things near impossible to have a reasonable conversation about these views. DiZerega's discussion is very informative with a refreshingly respectful and calm perspective on a difficult topic. He is able to bring to light many of the similarities in the belief systems often overlooked and make many points of common history lost to supposition, such as the fact that the Inquisition and Burning Times had little to do with religion at all.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who genuinely wants to better understand and clear up many of the common misunderstandings between paganism and Christianity.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who genuinely wants to better understand and clear up many of the common misunderstandings between paganism and Christianity.
October 12, 2016
I appreciate this book. diZerega works as a mediator between generalized Paganism and generalized Christianity in terms of both philosophy and practice. This isn't the book I had been expecting, and I'm actually glad about that.
August 19, 2008
I wanted to see how the different arguments for both philosophies were compared with one another. This offers a Pagan perspective.
August 3, 2009
A good modern book about relations between Pagans and Christians today.
June 9, 2017
I underlined the hell out of this book! Very insightful, intelligent, and fair representation of both faiths. Learned a lot and will revisit. :)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews