Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cis.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!rutgers!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jclark@sdcc6.ucsd.edu (John Clark) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Bigotry? (Re: The Ongoing Inquisition) Message-ID: Date: 26 May 91 05:38:04 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: University of California, San Diego Lines: 41 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article djdaneh@pacbell.com (Dan'l DanehyOakes) writes: + +Even more to the point, though, the term "Xtian" is used by a subset +of "neopagans" and "wiccans" who definitely intend it to be a slam. Usually when writing in groups other than soc.religion.christian I use the abreviation of 'X-ian' which if one objects to this then one should on principle object to BTW, IMHO, et al. Pagans feel a certain amount of animosity towards Christians due to being labeled 'devil worshippers' 'satanists' which have great emotional content in Christian circles but have very little to do with pagan belief systems. This is not to deny that there are groups which have turned 'Chritianity' upside-down and invented some religious 'rituals' based on such inverse concepts. Furthermore, since Christians as noted in the 'accept Jesus the only way for savedness' thread feel that anything outside Christianity is somewhat Satan inspired, the pagans can only be worshipping these demonic forces. Also there is a whole sub-culture based on the shock value that the 'demonic' concept induces and uses that to quote "question the establishment". Being an ancient Hippy I understand the guerrilla theater aspects of most of this type of activity. As for the 'criminal' element, there are groups which use the 'demonic' concepts just as the 'wholesome kids but being a little wild' types do. However, these individuals do not stop at shock presence, but commit criminial acts. In the '50s such types where called 'Hell's Angels' or 'Outlaws'. There is no difference between then and now. Even more ancient than I were the 'Zoot Suiters'. Even more ancient than that.... The point of this is that many pagan preceive that Christians lump them in with the last category of criminals using 'hocus-pocus' in conjunction with criminal acts. If you are of such a mind then don't be to surprised when you receive forceful negative reviews. -- John Clark jclark@ucsd.edu