9.20.2005
Me and My Charms
Christian author Catherine Sanders has responded to my post on her book "Wicca's Charm". I felt the book was yet another (albeit kinder and gentler) evangelical criticism of modern Paganism complete with tips on how to lead people away from our faith(s) and back to Christianity.
Sanders writes:
"The book took a long time to write and a lot of thought went into it. If you read it cover to cover, then I think we can have a constructive discussion about it. I wrote this book in order to foster better dialogue between Pagans and Christians. It might be that neither side is interested, but I think they should be."
I question how a good dialogue between Pagans and Christians can be created by appearing on Tucker Carlson's show. To say he had a disrespectful opinion and attitude towards our family of faiths would be fair.
I'm also concerned by the review blurbs on the publisher's promotional page for the book. There seems to be a theme among them.
"She holds a clear conviction that authentic Christian belief is a valid response to Wiccan yearnings in tension with the humble recognition that Christian compromise with materialistic rationalism and individualism in western culture has driven many to take up dangerous alternatives." ? Peter Harris, director, A Rocha International
"Sanders encourages Christians to dialogue with neo-Pagans, clarifying points of common ground, simultaneously pointing out with compassion and sensitivity the inadequacies of Paganism to fulfill their deep and legitimate longings." ? Mardi Keyes, co-director of L'Abri Fellowship in Southborough, MA and author of Feminism & the Bible
"Wicca's Charm is a must read for parents! A fascinating account full of stories and personal interviews, Catherine Sanders' book provides wonderful insight into why young people seek alternative spiritualities and what Christians can do about it!" ? Susan Alexander Yates, best selling author of several books including, And Then I Had Teenagers: Encouragement for Parents of Teens and Preteens
Dialogue does not begin with tips on how to lead us back to Christianity. Dialogue begins with mutual sharing from both parties. Is the author going to do any interviews with Pagan magazines or media outlets? I wonder if she sent a copy to Kerr Cuhulain? Because he did a review of one of Sanders' earlier works "Breaking the Spell: The Hidden Traps of Wicca" (read the whole thing) and wasn't impressed with the level of dialogue at that point. He "spoils" the ending of this one.
"It's Your Choice. God has made clear that Wicca is dangerous and incompatible with Christianity. He made His creation for us to enjoy as a reflection of His character but not to be worshipped instead of Him. Wicca may seem attractive, magical and different, but it does not give eternal life and a relationship with the God of the universe. If you choose Wicca, you cannot choose God as well, because He will not tolerate worship of anything but Himself. He is perfect and holy. Study God's word and you will find that a life centered on the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for us at Calvary is better than anything we could ever find here on earth."
In any event, Ms. Sanders if you are serious about dialogue I'll be happy to read and review it for my blog audience (which gets plenty of hits). Just send me an e-mail (jpitzl@wildhunt.org) and I'll send you my mailing address.
Christian author Catherine Sanders has responded to my post on her book "Wicca's Charm". I felt the book was yet another (albeit kinder and gentler) evangelical criticism of modern Paganism complete with tips on how to lead people away from our faith(s) and back to Christianity.
Sanders writes:
"The book took a long time to write and a lot of thought went into it. If you read it cover to cover, then I think we can have a constructive discussion about it. I wrote this book in order to foster better dialogue between Pagans and Christians. It might be that neither side is interested, but I think they should be."
I question how a good dialogue between Pagans and Christians can be created by appearing on Tucker Carlson's show. To say he had a disrespectful opinion and attitude towards our family of faiths would be fair.
I'm also concerned by the review blurbs on the publisher's promotional page for the book. There seems to be a theme among them.
"She holds a clear conviction that authentic Christian belief is a valid response to Wiccan yearnings in tension with the humble recognition that Christian compromise with materialistic rationalism and individualism in western culture has driven many to take up dangerous alternatives." ? Peter Harris, director, A Rocha International
"Sanders encourages Christians to dialogue with neo-Pagans, clarifying points of common ground, simultaneously pointing out with compassion and sensitivity the inadequacies of Paganism to fulfill their deep and legitimate longings." ? Mardi Keyes, co-director of L'Abri Fellowship in Southborough, MA and author of Feminism & the Bible
"Wicca's Charm is a must read for parents! A fascinating account full of stories and personal interviews, Catherine Sanders' book provides wonderful insight into why young people seek alternative spiritualities and what Christians can do about it!" ? Susan Alexander Yates, best selling author of several books including, And Then I Had Teenagers: Encouragement for Parents of Teens and Preteens
Dialogue does not begin with tips on how to lead us back to Christianity. Dialogue begins with mutual sharing from both parties. Is the author going to do any interviews with Pagan magazines or media outlets? I wonder if she sent a copy to Kerr Cuhulain? Because he did a review of one of Sanders' earlier works "Breaking the Spell: The Hidden Traps of Wicca" (read the whole thing) and wasn't impressed with the level of dialogue at that point. He "spoils" the ending of this one.
"It's Your Choice. God has made clear that Wicca is dangerous and incompatible with Christianity. He made His creation for us to enjoy as a reflection of His character but not to be worshipped instead of Him. Wicca may seem attractive, magical and different, but it does not give eternal life and a relationship with the God of the universe. If you choose Wicca, you cannot choose God as well, because He will not tolerate worship of anything but Himself. He is perfect and holy. Study God's word and you will find that a life centered on the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for us at Calvary is better than anything we could ever find here on earth."
In any event, Ms. Sanders if you are serious about dialogue I'll be happy to read and review it for my blog audience (which gets plenty of hits). Just send me an e-mail (jpitzl@wildhunt.org) and I'll send you my mailing address.
Comments:
I've always been curious as to why american pagans care so much whether christians accept your beliefs or not? You all seem so earnest to validate your beliefs and to have them accepted. Maybe, because I'm Canadian I've never felt any pressure to explore Christianity or even pay any mind to the church: we just don't seem to have that "you have to be christian to be accepted" attitude.
Thank you all for your comments on my book--some are quite colorful and creative! Jason-thanks for sending your address. We'll send you a copy.
I do wish all commentators would read the book before commenting though. Any comment on the book is fair after you have read it. If you read it and still feel the same way--so be it! I will never begin to be able to read all Pagan books, literature etc but I did spend 4 years trying to make a dent and have a bookshelf full.
It seems like the phrase "dangerous" has been excerpted here. I must say that every Wiccan or Pagan I met told me that Wicca could be dangerous. I spent an evening in the home of Don Frew of Covenant of the Goddess in Berkeley, Calif and he told me that he was worried about younger Wiccans practicing without any guidance. I thought that was interesting. As I am sure you know, COG has been engaged in interfaith dialogue for a number of years.
Most of the people who posted comments made accurate comments about Christians --who are often terrible examples of what Jesus called his followers to. Professing Christians can be the worst advertisement for the gospel. I agree with Yas and would count myself among those whose life falls woefully short at times. Yas is right that the poor are very dear to the heart of God. So often non-Christians give more to the poor than Christians which is a sad commentary on the church.
But much of my book is about this--the flaws of the church and how much of what people see mirrored in the lives of those who profess to be followers of Jesus fall short.
Athana mentions that I hate women--wow! That is quite a charge. She doesn't even know me! I dare say she should read my book. I have deep empathy for women and what they have experienced in churches and in our culture. It is nothing short of terrible and tragic. The cool thing is that Jesus treated women with respect and was very countercultural for his time.
The truth is that much, but not all, of the Christian church in America is not countercultural at all. I think studies show that divorce rates, giving, attitudes are no different to the general public. But the question I would ask people when they reject the gospel message is --are they rejecting Jesus of Nazareth, a distorted view of his teachings or other reasons altogether?
I am six years older now than I was when I wrote the booklet for Focus. My views have evolved and become more nuanced. In fact now after talking to a lot of Pagans and reading a lot of books, I think many things people seek in Paganism are admirable. I have come to really respect Pagans in so many ways. Part of the book deals with this.
But in the end I am still a believer in the gospel of Jesus and I think it is the best thing going, despite the very messy church. We will have different views on what we worship and in the end might part ways. You might critique Christianity, I critique parts of Paganism--nothing unusual about that. People have religious discussions of this sort all the time.
The thing about the gospel message is that it teaches that yes indeed, we all do fall short (as Yas points out) but that through grace, we are still loved and accepted.
(As an aside: About the term "evangelical"-- I grew up in England as an Anglican and found when I moved to the States that I was labeled evangelical...which seems to have all sorts of conotations pertaining to the history of American Christianity, Baptist dualism etc. I am not ashamed of the term because "evangel" simply means the "good news" or the "gospel", which is what Christians believe, but I am sure that I might part ways with some evangelicals on some issues...) more on that if anyone is interested.
Post a Comment
I've always been curious as to why american pagans care so much whether christians accept your beliefs or not? You all seem so earnest to validate your beliefs and to have them accepted. Maybe, because I'm Canadian I've never felt any pressure to explore Christianity or even pay any mind to the church: we just don't seem to have that "you have to be christian to be accepted" attitude.
Thank you all for your comments on my book--some are quite colorful and creative! Jason-thanks for sending your address. We'll send you a copy.
I do wish all commentators would read the book before commenting though. Any comment on the book is fair after you have read it. If you read it and still feel the same way--so be it! I will never begin to be able to read all Pagan books, literature etc but I did spend 4 years trying to make a dent and have a bookshelf full.
It seems like the phrase "dangerous" has been excerpted here. I must say that every Wiccan or Pagan I met told me that Wicca could be dangerous. I spent an evening in the home of Don Frew of Covenant of the Goddess in Berkeley, Calif and he told me that he was worried about younger Wiccans practicing without any guidance. I thought that was interesting. As I am sure you know, COG has been engaged in interfaith dialogue for a number of years.
Most of the people who posted comments made accurate comments about Christians --who are often terrible examples of what Jesus called his followers to. Professing Christians can be the worst advertisement for the gospel. I agree with Yas and would count myself among those whose life falls woefully short at times. Yas is right that the poor are very dear to the heart of God. So often non-Christians give more to the poor than Christians which is a sad commentary on the church.
But much of my book is about this--the flaws of the church and how much of what people see mirrored in the lives of those who profess to be followers of Jesus fall short.
Athana mentions that I hate women--wow! That is quite a charge. She doesn't even know me! I dare say she should read my book. I have deep empathy for women and what they have experienced in churches and in our culture. It is nothing short of terrible and tragic. The cool thing is that Jesus treated women with respect and was very countercultural for his time.
The truth is that much, but not all, of the Christian church in America is not countercultural at all. I think studies show that divorce rates, giving, attitudes are no different to the general public. But the question I would ask people when they reject the gospel message is --are they rejecting Jesus of Nazareth, a distorted view of his teachings or other reasons altogether?
I am six years older now than I was when I wrote the booklet for Focus. My views have evolved and become more nuanced. In fact now after talking to a lot of Pagans and reading a lot of books, I think many things people seek in Paganism are admirable. I have come to really respect Pagans in so many ways. Part of the book deals with this.
But in the end I am still a believer in the gospel of Jesus and I think it is the best thing going, despite the very messy church. We will have different views on what we worship and in the end might part ways. You might critique Christianity, I critique parts of Paganism--nothing unusual about that. People have religious discussions of this sort all the time.
The thing about the gospel message is that it teaches that yes indeed, we all do fall short (as Yas points out) but that through grace, we are still loved and accepted.
(As an aside: About the term "evangelical"-- I grew up in England as an Anglican and found when I moved to the States that I was labeled evangelical...which seems to have all sorts of conotations pertaining to the history of American Christianity, Baptist dualism etc. I am not ashamed of the term because "evangel" simply means the "good news" or the "gospel", which is what Christians believe, but I am sure that I might part ways with some evangelicals on some issues...) more on that if anyone is interested.
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