A Pagan Republican: Trick? Or Treat?

[Alfi]

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10...rick-or-treat/

the GOP nominee, Dan Halloran, is a practicing Pagan. And not just any Pagan. Halloran is the "First Atheling," or King, of New Normandy, which is the Greater New York Area branch of the Théod faith of pre-Christian Heathen religions.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Well, I do have an old friend who is a pagan that used to be a skin head.

 

[Evo]

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10...rick-or-treat/

The URL doesn't work.

I found this article, nice cape.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2009/10/grand_ol_pagan.php

 

[Alfi]

Happy pagan evening to everyone.

I'll give any witches that show up to my door some candy and not set her on fire or anything like the bible might tell me to do

Have a good night of trick or treat. or what ever costume you choose to wear.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

The URL doesn't work.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/31/a-pagan-republican-trick-or-treat/

Here's the same article I am pretty sure.


My friend was enamored with nordic deities too. I guess that would be expected from most conservative pagans lol.

 

[Evo]

The article I posted said he's a heathen.

In fact, Halloran and his fellow travelers are more properly thought of as "heathens," not pagans, and the tribal customs they ascribe to are heavy on hierarchy and tradition.

Hmmm, I don't really see much difference in the two terms.

 

[lisab]

Happy pagan evening to everyone.

I'll give any witches that show up to my door some candy and not set her on fire or anything like the bible might tell me to do

Have a good night of trick or treat. or what ever costume you choose to wear.

From Evo's link: Grand Ol' Pagan...haha

Speaking of Christians and Pagans, a few years ago my daughter started finding slips of paper wrapped around some of her Halloween candy, with bible quotes or "Jesus loves you!" written on them. Anyone else experience this?

 

[Evo]

From Evo's link: Grand Ol' Pagan...haha

Speaking of Christians and Pagans, a few years ago my daughter started finding slips of paper wrapped around some of her Halloween candy, with bible quotes or "Jesus loves you!" written on them. Anyone else experience this?

Halloween Bible scripture candy? Well, that's a new one for me.

 

[Moonbear]

Speaking of Christians and Pagans, a few years ago my daughter started finding slips of paper wrapped around some of her Halloween candy, with bible quotes or "Jesus loves you!" written on them. Anyone else experience this?

Never experienced it, but have heard of it. I think kids just need to pay attention to who hands out that candy and make sure that house is on the TP list.

 

[Pattonias]

I think I would consider a "Jesus loves you note" a nice step forward in the Christian evangelizing methods as opposed to some of my local favorites growing up (constantly being reminded that I was worshiping the devil and so on by trick or treating). The quality of the candy should be brought into question. : ) Was the note on a SNICKERS bar or a carrot...

I did attend a Episcopal church that hosted a haunted house every year. That was a lot of fun.

 

[BayernBlues]

You guys should have a listen to this if you want info on the origins of Halloween. It's a radio show on Toronto, on every Saturday night. He's done past shows on Halloween a couple times, this one is from last week:

A View From Space w.Gary Bell aka Spaceman - Saturday October 31st 2009

Topic discussed: Halloween

Show length: 2:23:44

File size: 24.7 MB

Download links:
http://www.mediafire.com/?uhu3j2g22cu
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KYAIX225

Stream link:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/67791162f72bb28d/

 

[kyleb]

The article I posted said he's a heathen.

Hmmm, I don't really see much difference in the two terms.

I'm guessing he is referring to the distinction of a heathen being one who doesn't acknowledge Abrahamic understanding of God, while a pagan might consider the Abrahamic understanding of God as referring to one of various gods. So, it seems he is a heathenistic-pagan.

Anyway, it's a shame that there is so much of bigotry against paganism in our society, and particularly ironic as it is Christians who take particular detain towards it, as the idea of God having begotten a son is arguably polytheistic itself. Granted, most Christians maintain that Jesus and God are somehow one to claim monotheism, but various have saints ascribed with the Godly power of preforming miracles, which is rather a stretch on the concept of one God. Then of course Mormon doctrine contents the concept of the Trinity refers to separate gods, and they catch a lot of flack for that along with various other beliefs from some other Christian sects. Also, much of our establishment is into overtly pagan traditions, what goes on at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Grove" being a notable example.

That said, I don't know any more about Dan Halloran that what was mentioned in the article, but I wish him well, as getting elected and doing a good job with the office would be a valuable step in dispelling the stigma against heathenism and paganism. While I'm a strict monotheist myself, I'm comfortable in understanding that my faith is a matter of metaphysical philosophy rather than a position based in demonstrable fact, and hence respect that others can reasonably come to any number of different opinions on the subject. It seems to me that less our society is fixated on what individuals might believe and rather focuses on what we do, the better off we will be.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

I'm guessing he is referring to the distinction of a heathen being one who doesn't acknowledge Abrahamic understanding of God, while a pagan might consider the Abrahamic understanding of God as referring to one of various gods. So, it seems he is a heathenistic-pagan.

I believe I have read before that the term 'heathen' originally was applied to a particular people rather than referring to all non-monotheistic peoples. From what little I found it seems to likely have been a germanic people though I have not found anything that corresponds to what I remember reading.

 

[kyleb]

I've never rightly researched the etymology of the term, but what you are suggesting generally jives with my understanding that "heathen" was adapted to English from similar term which some Germanic cultures used to refer to themselves. However, I'm fairly sure that the English term "heathen" has always been used to refer to those who don't acknowledge the Abrahamic understanding of God, as is http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/heathen?r=75".