Comments | cavalorn: The Pagan Sausage Machine Fallacy

cavalorn

The Pagan Sausage Machine Fallacy

Mar 29, 2013 18:17

I’d like to broaden my usual ranting this year and talk about a particular problem affecting not only modern paganism, but modern Christianity and modern atheism. In giving it a name, I hope to help others identify it and battle it wherever it occurs ( Read more... )

Comments 19

christeos_pir March 29 2013, 18:53:20 UTC

Not sure if your posts are locked -- may I put a link to this on FB?

cavalorn March 29 2013, 19:16:05 UTC

They aren't, and of course you may.

whatifoundthere March 29 2013, 18:55:30 UTC

Wonderful post as always, but I think you mean homogeneity.

cavalorn March 29 2013, 19:14:55 UTC

I think so too.

ashbet March 29 2013, 20:05:08 UTC

Most excellent indeed ^___^

-- A, far closer to Ishtar than Eostre ;)

sushidog March 29 2013, 22:54:18 UTC

I came across another example of this recently, when someone one the internet insisted that the mediaeval Jewish legend of Lilith, the first wife of Adam, originated in the Sumerian goddess Ninlil, who has in common with Lilith a whole syllable (which actually comes from her husband Enlil's name). Rage ensured when I suggested that's a bit of a stretch given the three thousand year intermission and total lack of any other commonality.

morbid_curious March 30 2013, 03:32:40 UTC

I have in the past referred to things like this as "Zeitgeist thinking", given that film's execrable approach to religious history.

(The comment has been removed)

cavalorn March 30 2013, 08:30:36 UTC

It would help if you pointed out what you believe the right meaning to be, in this instance. Are you saying that this one is incorrect ( ... )

moniqueleigh March 30 2013, 21:48:58 UTC

I can't speak for feorag of course, but I know I was a bit thrown at first by your use of "civilian" for pagan. I think it's because "civilian" has different connotations today, with much more respect given to a civilian by the general population (even from within the military) than was given by the Romans. On this side of the Pond, we speak very highly of our "civilian military" (even when it's clear to an outsider that most of the members of said military are rather more like professional soldiers/sailors/etc.). Given that it's been 21 years since my time on your side of the Pond, I can't recall the UK attitude towards volunteer/civilian service and what-not.

The part of the "pagan" definition that I see most often used, and which seems to be more easily understood by the modern ear, is the "rustic, country people" bit.

As for the rest of this post? Bravo, good sir! I was beyond annoyed at the meme (which may be the one that got you going) of text suggesting that bunnies and eggs were Ishtar's symbols. Can these people not even see the ( ... )