Customer Reviews (4)

Thoughtful, concise and comprehensive
A wonderful book that is truly informative without being a dry read. Highly recommended for the both the beginner or those familiar with Voodoo and Afro-Carribean traditions. Bravo!

Insightful
What we have here is someone who understands implicitly the commonalities found across the faiths and systems.The Afro-Carribean religions arose from just that, and this work helps explain this most important point.

GIVE ME A BREAK!
How surpsising! Yet another book written by a "Pagan" seeing how he/she can degrade other traditions and make them as low as his/her own! If you talk to a follower of Santeria, Vodou or Candomble and call them Pagan...make sure you have your First Aid Kit handy for afterwards!

ALL African derived traditions are monotheistic! There is only ONE GOD in Africa...no matter what you call him! If you think that the Orisha Oshun is a goddess and "equivalent" to the "Vodou Goodess" Freda, then think again! They are indeeed mighty entities, but they are GOD'S EMBASADORS and not gods themselfes...The list why this book su%$s big time goes on and on! If you are truly interested in Afro-Caribbean Traditions, leave your cosy "reading room" and find a good house to study with!

An excellent comprehensive practical text
Voodoo and Afro-caribbean Paganism is a thoughtfully organized, comprehensive overview of the African diaspora religions.It is organized by each major division and includes details about the Gods and Goddesses, myths and practices.If you want to know about the Yoruba Goddess Osun, there's a good summary here.If you want to know about the diasporic creation myths, look here.If you want some information on New Orleans Voodoo practices and rituals, it's in here too.Ms. Dorsey has always impressed me when I've had the chance to catch her classes, and here is distilled information on a encyclopedic array of subjects within her speciality.This is an excellent, easy to read, practical summary text including directed texts, films and recordings for further study. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Encyclopedic Diversity
The encyclopedic format for collecting information on Paganism has become popular as of late by authors in the genre and each one has a different flavor and reflects another segment of the Pagan population.

This encyclopedia focuses on Modern Witchcraft and Neo- Paganism and presents the information in "essay" format by some well known contributors.When you read the names John Belham-Payne, Chas Clifton, Judy Harrow, Starhawk and M. Macha Nightmare, to mention a few, you expect a diverse and well rounded source of information.And that is exactly what Ms. Rabinovitch and Mr. Lewis has given us.

History, both ancient and modern, is presented along with well known persons within the community and various groups and associations from both England and America.Tools, holidays, traditions, and other topics about paganism and witchcraft are well researched, professionally presented and a pleasure to read.

My only regret was that this book is not indexed.While there is a wonderfully detailed bibliography and contributors list, there is no way to pick just one topic and look it up other than by leafing through the book.Maybe in reprint they will index this book and make it a better tool for reference.Illustrations are kept to a minimum, so the value in this book is the commentaries and the knowledge base of the writers and contributors.

The diversity of viewpoints from well known movers and shakers within our community makes this book interesting and a basis for many good conversations. Well written, clean presentation and professional in its content while being a delight to read make this a keeper on your library shelf. ... Read more

Book Description
Christian theology, the author asserts, is in part quite acceptable and in part totally unacceptable to the modern mind: such of its doctrines and beliefs as have the genuine authority of the historic Jesus Christ are unassailable and eternal, but those which are based upon the early Christians' interpretation of our Lord's nature and mission are largely untenable.Much of the generally accepted Christian doctrine, the author continues, is derived from pagan sources and not from Jesus Christ at all, a great deal of ecclesiastical Christianity being, indeed, so definitely paganism redressed that one might almost speak of it as the last stronghold of the old heathen gods. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Origin of the Trinity doctrine
It's great to discover some authors brave enough to write about the true origin of certain beliefs generally held to be Christian.

Commencing with the second century it appears that certain theologians chose not to take scripture at face value, but rather sought to describe salvation in complex philosophical terms (predominantly platonic).Athanasius could not accept that Jesus Christ was simply the "Son of God", for fear that that implied Jesus had the freedom (like angels and humans) to exercise free will, and could potentially change his mind (about saving us).No, Jesus must become God with the Father.But ditheism (belief in two gods) was contrary to Hebrew scripture (God was one).Consequently, multiple philosophical theories were hypothesized in an attempt to blend both monotheism and, eventually, tritheism - a mathematical impossibility.Trinitarianism was born, and destined to become a complicated, drawn out, and ultimately a violent affair.

The good news of God's kingdom, salvation from death and sin inherited from Adam, and other scriptural truths had an intended audience: common people like Jesus' disciples and us.Jesus Christ is the way and the truth and the life.Not theologians, those educated in secular philosophy, and certainly not pagan Roman Emperors like Constantine and Theodosius.If the true nature of God is of trinity, Jesus would have explicitly revealed this to us.He did not.Instead, the Trinity was formulated over several centuries, and at a cost of much blood.

Moreover, the Trinity is a THEORY of many differing flavours.It is an ELABORATION on scripture.For the followers of one particular flavour to label all others as heretics worthy of persecution reveals the true nature of this doctrine.

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (New International Version)

Chris.

The most anti-Christian book I've ever read!
This is a very dangerous and discussting book.
I have read several books about the topic, and this one, "Paganism in our Christianity", is a frontal attack to the roots of the Christian Faith. It negates everything!
To the autor, what is in the Bible, and what is in the Christian faith to day is just a collection of lies and fiction events that have never ever occurred!
Without Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection, Christendom has not reason to exist, and the autor of this book, by using similarities and analogies with the Greco-Roman mythology, denies the fundamental bases of the Christian faith: Jesus' death and resurrection to save all those who believe in His message, His sacrifice as the Lamb of God,and His resurrection in order to give us, the believers in Him, the eternal life in heaven.
Also, it called my attention that this book has the Free Manson's symbol in its first page...
With all due respect
IZ

I WISH I COULD BUY A COPY
The only thing I can say badly about this book is that I can't find a copy to buy. I have to continue asking for it from my local library through InterLibrary Loan. If you know of a way that I could get a copy of this book, please email me and let me know....ADDITION: I did eventually find a copy for only [price]. It took 3 months of searching out of print book sellers but a very nice man in Canada was willing to let go of his copy. If he reads this, THANK YOU! ... Read more

Book Description
E.G. Stanley has an international reputation as a leading Anglo-Saxonist, and his perceptive and original contributions to the field continue to be sought after by Anglo-Saxon scholars. The two topics included in this book are just such studies. `The Search for Anglo-Saxon Paganism' traces an attitude among writers on Anglo-Saxon literature which exalts whatever is primitive and supposedly pagan or crypto-pagan in the surviving Old English texts of the early Christian middle ages, as demonstrated in the work of such luminaries as Jacob Grimm and J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as a swarm of minor figures. Students of Old English literature will find some of their cherished views on individual texts challenged in the process of tracing them to their foundations; but the book has wider implications as a case-history of how scholarly predilection becomes prejudice and orthodoxy. Although written some years ago, the arguments, with some updates and corrections, remain fresh and invigorating. The second part of the book deals with the search for trial by jury among the Anglo-Saxons. Its beginnings have been sought by some in Germanic legal institutions, by others in institutions brought in by King Alfred to whom much that is great and good in the governance of England was ascribed. The author argues that the idealism that characterized advocates of political and legal reform guided them to a few facts about the origin of jury and to many simplifications and errors in which the Anglo-Saxons appeared as shining forerunners. E.G. STANLEY is Professor Emeritus of Anglo-Saxon, University of Oxford. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Concise Information
It is unfortunate that this book is out of print. It has very concise information on Anglo Saxon Paganism, and avid descriptions of that culture. ... Read more

Book Description
Taking the reader into the heart of one of the fastest-growing religious movements in North America, Sabina Magliocco reveals how the disciplines of anthropology and folklore were fundamental to the early development of Neo-Paganism and the revival of wit ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

More Than Academic Study
Though this book was written for academic purposes and shows corresponding literary telltales, it is quite accessible and has several outstanding features.The best thing about the book is that the author did not just do an academic survey--she immersed herself in the Bay Area Wiccan culture, and presents first-hand descriptions of what she discovered.Her description of public rituals in the New Reformed Order of the Golden Dawn, Reclaiming, and at least one other tradition, are informative to those who wonder but do not know what Wiccan religious rites look like.In addition, she provides insight into how and why the people she interviewed were drawn to Wicca, thus complementing the observations of visible Craft with some inward explanation.

Excellent examination
This is an excellent examination and introduction to the study of the Wicccan culture. Combining personal tales with more traditional folklore techniques and commentary she crafts a compelling exploration of many of the questions that those who are not primarily interested in belief systems per se are interested in.If you want to have insight into what Wiccans are interested in and how they relate this is the book.

If I have any criticism it is that she tends to narrow her focus to a few specific traditions. I was left wondering the changes that might be seen as the population of Wiccans changes from a tradition or coven centered to that of the more eclectic solitary population, and how are the "traditionalists" reacting to the changes.

This however is an easily overlooked concern as she covers the her topic well and with obvious relish as well as with the eye of the trained observer.

Very Well Done.

Improves on Hutton and Pike. Well written and recommended.
Sabina Magliocco's "Witching Culture" is quite possibly the most significant volume on Contemporary Pagan Culture to have been written in several years. Magliocco, author of an earlier volume on Neo-Pagan Art and Altars, has filled in several gaps left by Ronald Hutton and Sarah Pike, authors of important recent works in their own right.

The real strength of Magliocco's approach lies in her combined historical and folkloric approaches to cultural formation. Nods to other theoretical approaches are made, especially in her discussion of Paganism as a culturally oppositional discourse (James Scott, Todorov, Gramsci) but for the most part her own theoretical approaches are interwoven with her content so as to produce a seamless integration.

As I noted, her attention to the categories of the Other, both as conceived from Christian heritage and the Enlightenment's 'God of Reason,' are set up as the early framework of the book, along with valuable summations of early Hermeticism, medieval ritual magic, Renaissance Humanism, and 19th C. Romanticism to show the contributions of each era to contemporary Paganism. In this she avoids Hutton's obsession with the British 19th century and yet misses much of Hutton's focus on cunning-folk and those more vernacular traditions. Magliocco's work is more concerned with those who wrote on those traditions, and how those writings (Leland, Murray, Gardner) were used as a crucible to create contemporary Paganism.

Excellent portions of the book also focus on energy, magic, naming and ritual, as well as the historical and folkloric contributions to the formations of these much-used categories by contemporary Pagans. In addition, this is the first volume I am aware of to treat music and song in such depth. Two main aspects of song are treated--ritual uses (echoing her earlier scholarly articles on the subject with Holly Tannen) and educational uses--that is, teaching modes of thought and interpretation common to Pagans. While these are not the only important functions of Pagan song, these are the most important aspects for her work, for she concentrates on community identity and maintenance. Partly because of her concern with boundary formation and maintenance, her work engages little with New Age religiosity, and instead concentrates on flash points such as cultural appropriation issues with indigenous peoples, especially Amerindians. Again, given the existing literature, this is a plus, rather than a minus.

If there are drawbacks to her work, they are similar to other important works in the field. Most of the book concentrates on Wicca, witchcraft, Feri, Reclaiming and New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn (NROOGD), all closely connected with dominant structures in the Eastern part of the U.S. Other facets of contemporary Paganism, such as Druidry, Pagan Vodoun, Church of All Worlds, and Asatru/Vanatru, draw significantly less attention. But as these are numerically proportionately less of the wider community, their comparative marginalization is understandable in a study like this.

*Must Have, Double Bag!*
*Must Have, Double Bag!* is old school comic fandom's term for things that a fan _cannot_ live without--and have any fanboy or fangirl cred in the eyes of her or his fan peers.

And a perfect, to-the-point description of this book.

Written by a Gardnerian and Reclaiming practitioner who also happens to be a skillful folklorist and anthropologist, Magliocco is presently an assistant professor at California State University, Northridge.

Witching Culture is thoughtful, insightful, fruitful, grounded, and, maybe, provocative.

Witching Culture is well-crafted and a joy to read.

Witching Culture is one of the best ethnographies that I've read in a long time.

Magliocco manages to accentuate the participation in her participant-observations, but sustain a vibrant and keen postmodern theoretical analysis at the same time. She takes the reader *there* to a living experience of an alternative culture.

She addresses a broad range of topics shaping and challenging Neo-Paganism,especially Craft in the San Francisco Bay Area, from how magic is envisioned as a working relationship with world and deities to ritual art and artistry to Neo-Pagan shopping habits to identity construction and cultural borrowing, and more.

Like the Neo-Pagan bricoleurs she discusses, she takes advantage of theories and insights borrowed from a number of disciplines and discourses, putting the mix to good, understanding use.

Magliocco considers Neo-Pagan culture to be oppositional to dominant culture, postmodern in its world view at a time when the dominant modern culture offers little beyond materiality, consumerism, alienation, oppression, and spiritual--
if not economic--impoverishment. She traces some roots of this oppositionality to sources in the Romantic and European nationalist movements. And provides a good account of Neo-Paganism's cultural creativity in shaping magical ritual, even
political action, from these sources, among others.

Her approach to the creative and enculturating role that song plays in today's Neo-Paganism alone makes the book worthwhile.

Witching Culture is a *Must Have, Double Bag!* book that all of us should be proud to add to our libraries.

Note: I am Sabina's friend, and the *Pitch* in the book. All I can assure you is--as an old-school comic guy--if the book sucked, I'd say so. Far from it--Witching Culture shines bright!
... Read more

Book Description
Wicca 202: Advanced training by an experienced High Priestess Many books may tell you how to cast a Wiccan circle, but none really bother to explain why. When you finish reading The Elements of Ritual, you'll know what each step of the circle-casting ceremony means, why it's there, and what it accomplishes. You'll learn several alternative approaches to each step, and you'll be empowered to write your own effective ceremonies using sound magical, theological, and pragmatic principles.Selling Features

Advanced, sophisticated Witchcraft philosophy and practice

Delves further into the theology and theory of every phase of ritual, along with practical how-tos and how-not-tos, and much esoteric, hard-to-find information Every step of ritual has at least two sample scripts, including an avant-garde example Provides detailed instructions for writing your own ritual

Includes meditations on the deeper meanings of each phase of ritual ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

A rich, dense, insightful & educational read.
Wow. Incredibly eye-opening. Definitely for anyone who wants to deepen their practice, or for fellow geeks who always ask "Why?". Lipp really gets to the bottom of "Why?" for every single piece of ritual used by most Wiccans/pagans. What may have seemed like rote habit before is now filled with meaning. Inspiring, and not in a froo-froo New Agey airheaded way.

The "Why" for the "What You Do..."
I can't say enough good things about how this book is presented and the material it covers.She takes one step by step through the building blocks of ritual, all the while detailing the reasons why one does this or that, and the reasons one should or should not do something else.

It is a well-presented guidebook for the experienced ritual writer yet still concise and understandable enough for those just beginning to explore the path and write ritual and it is not too full of craft jargon so newbies aren't left thinking "what...?".After reading this book, one has a complete understanding of exactly what an elemental is and the proper handling of this energy.Combining energy with elemental instruction, she spins a powerful thread from which most will be succesful in weaving their desired results.

She covers the subject I personally think is most overlooked in many writings today, that of making offerings.One hears so much misinformation about 'sacrifices' and not nearly enough about 'offerings' and the differences between the two.She also stresses the importance of grounding and WHY it's important to those around you to do so yourself and to make sure those who participate in your rituals follow this step.I don't recommend always slapping walls, but I certainly think this type of action is warranted at the end of each ritual that had the purpose of raising energy.Proper handling of the power is a necessary step to successful spellwork, and proper return of the energy raised is just as important a step afterwards.

She gives several examples of different types of rituals and where specific actions fit in each so that you still end up with pretty much the same formula for your work, even though the rituals might be for totally differing purposes.

She also touches on the 'ettiquette' of ritual, the proper order and form of ritual so that an offering is presented before the request is made, and the result is given an action of acceptance, very important to the serious witch.

The more you know about what you are doing, the better you will become at it.Moreover, this book is a guide to being a successful servant to the Gods...and I can't think of a much nicer thing to say about it.

Practical and No Nonesense Guide - Finally
I happened upon this book by recommendation of a friend. All I can say is WOW.I was so tired of reading the anything goes pagan circle casting and so many authors clamoring about to say why everything under the sun was acceptable.It seems so many forget about foundation.

I now recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn how to cast a circle the wiccan format.NOT A PAGAN CIRCLE format.But a witch's circle.The author comes from a traditional background.There is so much in her writing that is of practical use.There is much that speaks and inspires here.There is much that is said yet unsaid.Plans within plans, so to speak.

The manner of presentation is refreshing and very useful.So much thought went into the preparation and presentation of this book.

I intend to use this for teaching purposes.I can't say enough good about this book and Deborah.

Thank you! Thank you!Your years of experience are of great use to those of us coming along.

Blessed Be Great Lady!

The Elements of Ritual
I was so pleased to add this book to my collection.It is perfectly suited for both beginners and more advanced practioners of the craft.There is lots of explanation, but not dogma, so that at the end of the day, I can decide for myself what fits and what does not, and leave open the door to changes in the future.Ritual as viewed through this book lets me choose my ritual from knowledge, not blindly follow someone who created ritual for themselves.I highly recommend it.

Required Reading
I like doing reviews. Most times I get books that have information I can use in them, and times there are books that have almost no information I can use. There are some books I have reviewed that are examples of the worst that comes out of current publications. There are times when I can't say enough good things about books I read.

I count this book as one of the latter.

Now that the author and publishers can breathe again, I want to tell you all that if you are looking for a book on how to perform a ritual, the theatrics, the actual nitty-gritty, the practical side and the mystic side, then this is your book.

I tend to think of myself as being very knowledgeable in the realms of ritual and mystic mindset. This book showed me those things I did know were accurate and it also showed me where my knowledge lacked in substance. I was able to objectively break down the rituals I perform and to be able to see which parts were necessary and why those portions worked. This went through every aspect of ritual, from the decision to start the ritual, to altar setup to the actual workings themselves and to the closing rituals.

It is a needed reference for anyone who performs ritual for more than just themselves. It is absolutely critical that those who learned their tradition of Wicca from books have this.

I know I'm sounding like I'm gushing, and I am. I have a couple personal qualms, but they are so minor that I don't think they affect my review at all. The questions and qualms are from the fact that this is focused on Wiccan Rituals, not rituals in general. Now, I would be remiss if I didn't say that the fact this is Wiccan oriented is spelled out on the cover. The subtitle is "Air, Fire, Water and Earth in the Wiccan Circle". So right there I should assume that it is focused on Wiccan ritual. I think this could have been so much better if it were a general ritual book.

The divisions of Air, Fire, Water and Earth are used throughout this book, mainly to delineate different parts of the same segment of ritual. For instance; if we were talking about the Opening the Circle segment, there would be a section in this chapter discussing the Air aspects (the meaning behind doing things thus and so), the Fire aspects (the mental attitude and what is supposed to be happening mystically), the Water aspects (the mythology, story and history behind this step) and the Earth aspects (the practical how to do this steps). In addition to those there is some discussion about other things that affect ritual, like tools and placements and some about the choice of deities.

There are sample rituals to be used as a template throughout the book, mostly to be shown as examples of what you can do and still have all the elements be present. But there is only one full ritual shown, from beginning to end.

There is no bibliography as such, although there are references throughout the book. There is no "recommended reading" in here either, nor is there any kind of appendix. There is an index, so finding the information is easy. But, there is also some "muddleness" in the chapters themselves. For example, in the chapter about beginning the Circle, you go through all the steps before the Circle is cast, the actual casting of the circle, and immediately after the circle is cast before moving into the next chapter. Each of those is broken into it's own subsection with the elements brought forward and discussed, Air, Water, Fire, and Earth. Three times for this one chapter, so it can get a bit confusing. I probably would have broken them into their own chapters instead of including them in one chapter together. But that is me.

I can unhesitatingly recommend this book for anyone that I feel is going to do rituals and wants to have an in depth understanding of a Wiccan ritual structure. I give this book 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

It is my opinion that every coven should have a copy of this book in their library.

Daven ... Read more

Book Description
Modern Hellenismos is a religious movement that reconstructs the ancient Greek religion in a modern context. The practice uses a method that adapts the old with the new, using the best available archaeological evidence with intellectual honesty. Those attracted to the ancient Greek religion want to know what Hellenists believe. What does Hellenismos say about sin and salvation, creation and the afterlife? Theology is, simply put, a system, school, or body of educated opinions concerning the Divine and religious questions, and provides for a reasoned discourse that creates an understanding of a religion, its spiritual practices, and the Gods. Within this introduction to Hellenic theology, written by the foremost author on modern Hellenismos, you will find a modern theology sourced and adapted from the history, culture, traditions, thought, and ethics of ancient Greece. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An interesting modern theology
I should preface this review by saying that I am not a Hellenic Reconstructionist nor am I an expert on Ancient Greek Philosophy/beliefs (I am however am inspired in my practices by the Indo-Greek Kingdom of Menander I).

Timothy Jay Alexander's The Gods of Reason seems to me to be an interesting modern theology for Hellenic Reconstructionism that seems to be composed of a mix of Stoic, Neo-Platonist, and other Philosophic influences. Alexander tends to be a bit convoluted in places but overall it makes for a short and interesting read (and as with his previous works more than 1/2 the text is composed of appendixes of primary documents).

A couple of things about Alexander's text seem to be a bit troubling such as Alexander's tendency to make fairly sweeping generalizations at times such as on page 67: "We also accept, as the ancients did, that the gods are incorporeal and thus the Cosmos must be incorporeal. It may be pedantic, but this statement should have really said something along the lines of "as most of the ancients did" when making a statement such as this since in its original form it seems to completely ignore such Philosophers as Epicurus (whose 'Principle Doctrines' are included as Appendix I) who taught that the gods were corporeal and composed of atoms (but of a finer kind of atoms that gave them immortality).

Another thing I found troubling is that the book could cause some confusion between Alexander's theology and what he called the 'basic theology' in Hellenismos due to a lack of a clear definition of 'basic theology' when it is first mentioned.

Still overall it was a interesting and decent little volume.

Very well written and informative
Very well written and well reasoned work. This is a good contribution to modern day Hellenismos :)

Another Exellent Book
I received The Gods of Reason, by Timothy Jay Alexander, because I was impressed with his previous books, Hellenismos Today, and A Beginner's Guide to Hellenismos. I began reading this book with some unease, as I knew that it was a theological and philosophical discussion. I am not an intellectual or a scholar, so I was worried that this work would be over my head.

Those that are interested in the delving into the deeper concepts of Hellenismos need not worry that this work is too complex or difficult. Mr. Alexander has an uncanny knack to be able to breakdown complex subject matter into easy to understand text. At the same time, the conversation is not watered-down, and I must warn the reader that this is not light reading. Mr. Alexander goes into great detail about subjects such as the nature of the world, virtue and vice, the soul and afterlife.

He explains quite well how the theology of Hellenismos and science go hand in hand, and makes it quite clear that science and religion are not at odds with each other from a Hellenic viewpoint.

I not only learned quite a bit from this book, but it also gave me the courage to start delving more deeply into the philosophers which, while not mandatory to practice Hellenismos, can certainly enhance and only help one understand different schools of thought.

As usual, the Appendix is full of wonderful information; Plato's Republic is my personal favorite.

I feel that the Gods of Reason is the best of the three books thus far, and I would highly recommend it for both experienced Hellenic Reconstructionists and those new to Hellenismos.


... Read more

Product Description
TOO LONG IN THE SUN is packed with details which relate to the apostasy of the "Last Days": prophesied by both the Old and New Testaments. Revealed are the astonishing facts about ancient "Mysteries" and their Satanic influence upon present day thought. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

What the "church" doesn't want you to read
This book shows what is wrong with the church:paganism infiltration of the True faith in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).It shows how paganism was introduced into the church from the beginning and shows what is now called "christianity" is a far cry from the truth taught in the early church in the first century.

It is a hard message for most and most will reject it.Yeshua said that the road is NARROW and FEW will find it.He knew paganism would take over what is called Christianity.paganism even took over in the Holy Temple in Ancient Israel (Ezekiel chapter 8) and they told the prophets Adonai (God) sent to go away, that they will worship God THEIR way.They refused to listen to the truth just like the so-called "church" refuses to listen to the truth today.

I HIGHLY recommend this book and will be purchasing more copies for family and friends that are still entrenched in romanism (through the baptist "church") ... Read more

Book Description
The story of the early Church and its relations with Pagans, from AD 64 to the peace of the Church in the 4th century.A narration mainly based upon contemporary records and remains.Contents: Introduction; First stages; Nero; The Church in Rome after Nero; Saint John and Polycarp; Ignatius of Antioch; Trajan and Hadrian; Revival of Paganism; Christians under the Antonines; Martyrdoms; After the Antonines; Catacombs of Rome; Inner life of the Church; From Decius to Diocletian; Diocletian; Constantine the Great; From Paganism to Christianity; After the peace of the Church; Appendices. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

this reads like an encyclodpedia, but is essential
This book is about the education of the intellectuals of the Enlightenment.While it is very interesting to trace how their minds developed - how they mastered and began to question the works of the masters of antiquity in a manner far more daring than the scholars of the Renaissance - it is so encylopediac that it impedes the narrative.In other words, I got bored and literally set it down for years.However, this is the work of a first-rate historian and so may have been too sophisticated for an amateur like me.(I like history, but this guy has READ EVERYTHING in the original, which I cannot.)Once I picked it up again, I did indeed enjoy it.Rather heavy handedly, Gay argues that what they concluded was that Christianity was a fiction and could not be true.Readers should know this.While I am somewhere on the spectrum between atheism and agnosticism, what I interpreted as Gay's atheism is even a bit too much for me.

I learned an immense amount about this period here, perhaps the most pivotal of the modern world.While a bit much, if taken in the right way it is a great guide to many of the debates that continue to this day and that originated with these intellectuals.However, I look forward to the next book, which is about what they did in a practical institutional sense rather than what and how they thought (covered by this first volume).

Recommended, but it is serious scholarly study rather than vacation reading! ... Read more

Book Description
In European Paganism, Ken Dowden outlines and analyses the diverse aspect of pagan ritual and culture from human sacrifice and pilgrimage to luna worship.Download Description
In European Paganism, Ken Dowden outlines and analyses the diverse aspect of pagan ritual and culture from human sacrifice and pilgrimage to luna worship. ... Read more

Book Description
1892. Contents: remains of Paganism in Christianity; Pagan methods of interpreting the scriptures; Asiatic Pagan water worship; water worship in northern Europe and Mexico; Greek water worship; Pagan water worship transferred to Christianity; Pagan sun worship; Sunday observance unknown to Christianity before middle of 2nd century; state religion a Pagan institution; control of Christianity by state under Constantine and his successors; Constantine's legislation concerning Pagan Sunday; other forms of Pagan residuum in Christianity and five conclusions, fundamental principles of Protestantism involved in present issues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Just the basics
This is a good guide for those family & friends that have no idea, what your beliefs are or about. I let my mother read this and it helped clear up alot of misunderstandings for her. I had thought about Letting her read the book by Scott Cunningham. But the chapters on skyclad & sexuality would be to much for her, and this one left those subjects out.

More enthusiasm than scholarship
The author lumps several un-related spiritual paths incorrectly under the "Neo-Pagan" umbrella.

"Neo-Pagan" refers to a group of revival-religions, and specifically does NOT include such religions as Hinduism & Budhism, which far pre-date Christianity.(These religions might legitimately be called Pagan.They cannot be called Neo-Pagan.)

One seeking information on this subject would be far better to read Margot Adler's work (which the author references on page 2). ... Read more

Book Description
At last, a book that explains Pagan spirituality to non-Pagans in a balanced, accessible way, while acknowledging the natural anxiety many of them may feel when confronted by a son, daughter, sibling, friend, or co-worker who suddenly proclaims, "I'm a Witch!" Wicca and Paganism are among the world's fastest growing religions. Because so many Wiccan newcomers are young, it may be understandably worrisome, even frightening, to many of the parents, other family members, friends, and associates of today's witches. This book offers an objective, honest introduction to this newly popular old religion, while providing comfort to worried readers. Non-Pagans will appreciate this fair and responsible overview of one of the most mysterious-and misunderstood-modern spiritual paths. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Someone else said it- great idea, poor execution
The books promises more than it actually delivers. It's attitude towards other monothesitic religions is condescending, and the feeling of elitism is present through the entire book. Furthermore, the author compounds this by "fluffy" statments on the nature of Pagan practice and a seeming ingnorance not only on the more spiritual levels of Witchcraft, but also on many of the questions he tried to answer himself!

I bought this book to help a loved one understand my religion, and now I see all I have done is waste my money.

Get your family and friends on the right path
Frankly, I was very concerned when I first ran across this book. I wondered if it was a 'fundie' text imploring people to convert my Wiccan friends to Christianity. What a pleasant surprise when I opened up the text and found out it is not.

As others have accurately noted however, the well-intentioned authorsimplifies Wicca. He then attempts to lump this in with Paganism. Wicca and Paganism are two different concepts. Perhaps the text itself could be toned up in another version of the book.

Overall, this is a useful resource for people who want to be supportive, but are not sure what they are supporting. It would be an important purchase for local libraries---where `concerned people' might turn after learning the news about a loved one.

The title is important as it is in order to reach the wavering people who would otherwise be susceptible to 'bible-thumping' propaganda about these very practices. Most importantly, the book does not condemn the practitioner and instead encourages readers to accept them as they are.

Great book.....
This is a very good book for people that have no idea or the wrong idea of what Wicca is.I agree with 80-90% of the material, not that the other 10-20% is wrong just that I see things a bit differently.

EEEEEWWWW!
I was suspicious from the get-go with this title. It sounded too much like "When Someone You Love Is Dying/Has Cancer/Has AIDS" -- the kind of literature one gets from clueless but well-intentioned counselors.I had to force myself to get more than three pages into the book. And, I confess, I could not bring myself to finish it.

Specifically, it trotted out every fear and misrepresentation and half-truth about Wicca: "You may have heard <this>" and "Many people believe that we do <that>." And then pointed out how wrong these ideas were, as if all Wiccans held a multi-colored but monolithic block of beliefs.

Unfortunately, both when I read this as a practicing Wiccan and when trying to read it from the "curious co-worker" viewpoint, I became defensive. It seemed both apologetic and self-righteous. It tried to be deferential, but came off as condescending: "You poor, misguided mainstreamer! Here, let me set you straight."

Further, it tried to lump Wicca, Witchcraft and Paganism into one large blob, allowing that there were differences in practices among these folks, but that they were related enough for this text to be inclusive. Ha!

My advice: If you need something to hand to a Nervous Parent or Concerned Friend, either Scott Cunningham's "The Truth About Witchcraft Today" (Llewellyn Publishing), or Tuitean & Daniels' "Pocket Guide to Wicca" (Crossing Press) does a much better job of factual presentation without paranoia. (Pocket Guide has a potential advantage of not having the word "witchcraft" in the title -- an insurmountably scary word for some folks.)

Great idea, poorly executed
I was very, very disappointed with this book.I bought it to share with my boyfriend to help me answer some of his questions about my religion.I decided to read it first, and realized that he already knows more than this book provides, and probably in a much better light.

It's written on a 4th or 5th grade level, very simplistically, which makes it sound not all that intelligent, and by result could give the impression that Wiccans are not all that intelligent as a whole-- which is definitely the opposite of my experience.It lacks any beauty, any real insight, and I don't know why people are saying it was well researched, as it is something anyone with a basic understanding of Wicca could write.If it were my own first exposure to the old religion, I'd probably walk away shaking my head & saying, "Those people need a reality check."

It could be useful in a limited sort of way, ie, the boss that needs to see something in print that you're not a devil worshipper, but you don't care if he has any real understanding- but I strongly suggest reading it before giving it to anyone you truly want to understand. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

If you read mondo 2000, there are no surprises here, but...
If you have read Mondo 2000 before, then nothing in this book will be much of a surprise.In fact in 1998 this book is clearly retro.Still, to the new reader you will find much of the information interesting.The format is basically an A-Z of popular memes and cultural phenomena with a pseudo hypertext interface.
High gloss and flashy.Suitable for a coffee table, but you might want to keep it on your reference shelf.

Very '1990' look at the future
A very 1990 look at the future, but well done withgood graphics. Covers music, fashion, Industry,etc. ... Read more

Book Description
"Joseph M. Bianchi has provided an inspiring aerial overview of Christianity's formative salt and light impact on world history. 'it is a culture that transforms societies by transforming people one by one.' Bianchi provides a tonic for believers disheartened by the contemporary darkness of encroaching postmodernism. Surely the gates of Hell will not prevail, for in Christ, we will triumph as more than conquerors. Well done!" -Rev. Mark Chanski ... Read more

Product Description
Have you ever wondered how God intended to end all this business of running His universe?Did you ever stop to think that God knew how everything would become before He created a thing?Did you ever wonder how the teaching of eternal punishment came to be in our Holy Bible?If it is the will of God that none should perish, but all should come to eternal life. Is almighty God able to fulfill His purpose in the earth or does His plan rest upon the weak and uncertain will of man?Would a loving, fair, merciful Heavenly Father ever allow His creation to be tortured forever in the flames of hell? His character would not agree to it; His power and sovereignty would not allow it; and His revealed Word of Truth does not teach it."For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." if the first statement is true, then follows that second statement must also be true.Capt's methodical research of the early Christian Church, and the later alterations of early biblical translations, will test everything you thought you believed about Christianity. Whether you are in full agreement or not, this is a book you cannot put down. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The parental character of God - one of the strong arguments presented by Mr. Capt to disprove the doctrine of eternal punishment
God, as our Father, and we, as His children set an example for our own earthly parent/child relationships.Mr. Capt presents a valid argument that a good, loving earthly parent administers punishment (correction) in order to bring about repentance and restoration to obedience. A father would never torture his child for his entire life for disobedience. God, our Father, being perfect goodness and love would do no less to us, His children. Mr. Capt demonstrates that the doctrine of hell fire had its roots in pagan religions and cannot be backed up by a thorough study of Scripture. Other convincing evidence is presented to show the error of this doctrine. It is well worth reading his book, but be ready to be challenged about what you have always been taught in modern churches concerning eternal punishment in a fiery hell.

Untold story of the Bible
This is a book everyone calling themselves christians should read and find out for the first time what a real loving God is instead of a monstor. ... Read more