Summer Solstice Pagan Festival has Pahokee residents outrage

[The Spiral Future]

Part of me wants to laugh and the other part wants to hang my head and sigh. I'm a Christian and I couldn't give less of a shit what you practice or celebrate. The fact that there is still so much ignorance and intolerance present in some churches really makes me groan.

What can we do but disagree and wait for their numbers to get smaller and smaller.

So continues the siege of the city of intolerance and the fortress of bigotry.

[Nidaria]

It is a cult, not a religion. However, it is illegal and immoral for a state to obstruct such a gathering, unless actions within it are illegal--which is not unlikely considering its nature. The townspeople can and should protest all they can.

[Death Metal]

It is a cult, not a religion.

No.

[The Spiral Future]

It is a cult, not a religion. However, it is illegal and immoral for a state to obstruct such a gathering, unless actions within it are illegal--which is not unlikely considering its nature. The townspeople can and should protest all they can.

What makes Paganism of any form a cult and not a religion?

[Nidaria]

It is a cult, not a religion. However, it is illegal and immoral for a state to obstruct such a gathering, unless actions within it are illegal--which is not unlikely considering its nature. The townspeople can and should protest all they can.

What makes Paganism of any form a cult and not a religion?

"The word cult in current popular usage is a pejorative term for a new religious movement or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society."

~Wikipedia

[Mike the Progressive]

And? Have you not seen the Wicker Man?

[Death Metal]

What makes Paganism of any form a cult and not a religion?

"The word cult in current popular usage is a pejorative term for a new religious movement or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society."

~Wikipedia

So basically, you admit that just used the word to demean other people's religions, including people on NSG.

[Frisivisia]

What makes Paganism of any form a cult and not a religion?

"The word cult in current popular usage is a pejorative term for a new religious movement or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society."

~Wikipedia

Paganism is far older than Christianity.

[Death Metal]

"The word cult in current popular usage is a pejorative term for a new religious movement or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society."

~Wikipedia

Paganism is far older than Christianity.

Well, not as practiced today. Modern paganism can be traced to the late 19th century and that's with taking a whole packet of salt. More likely it was started in the 1920s.

[The Spiral Future]

What makes Paganism of any form a cult and not a religion?

"The word cult in current popular usage is a pejorative term for a new religious movement or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society."

~Wikipedia

cult
/kəlt/
Noun

A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.

Synonyms
worship - religion - adoration

------

Note the use of the word Religious being used in the above official definitions. A cult is a small religion or a system of worship.

As such I argue that it is a religion, whether or not it has outgrown the size required to be a cult is another matter. While I would personally argue that we have, that would be subjective.

[Death Metal]

"The word cult in current popular usage is a pejorative term for a new religious movement or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society."

~Wikipedia

cult
/kəlt/
Noun

A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.

Synonyms
worship - religion - adoration

------

Note the use of the word Religious being used in the above official definitions. A cult is a small religion or a system of worship.

As such I argue that it is a religion, whether or not it has outgrown the size required to be a cult is another matter. While I would personally argue that we have, that would be subjective.

Isn't paganism the 9th largest religion?

EDIT- And recognized by the US government as a tax exempt religion?

[The Spiral Future]

Paganism is far older than Christianity.

Well, not as practiced today. Modern paganism can be traced to the late 19th century and that's with taking a whole packet of salt. More likely it was started in the 1920s.

Would that not depends whether or not you are a reconstructionist?

[Frisivisia]

Paganism is far older than Christianity.

Well, not as practiced today. Modern paganism can be traced to the late 19th century and that's with taking a whole packet of salt. More likely it was started in the 1920s.

True enough. Either way it's a meaningless way for people who believe older, more popular bullshit to demean those who believe younger, less popular bullshit.

[Zavea]

hey, wait a minute, isn't there supposed to be this whole first amendment thing?

[Big Jim P]

It is a cult, not a religion. However, it is illegal and immoral for a state to obstruct such a gathering, unless actions within it are illegal--which is not unlikely considering its nature. The townspeople can and should protest all they can.

All religions are cults.

[The Spiral Future]

cult
/kəlt/
Noun

A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.

Synonyms
worship - religion - adoration

------

Note the use of the word Religious being used in the above official definitions. A cult is a small religion or a system of worship.

As such I argue that it is a religion, whether or not it has outgrown the size required to be a cult is another matter. While I would personally argue that we have, that would be subjective.

Isn't paganism the 9th largest religion?

Depends on your definition of Pagan, one could argue that every faith with multiple deities is Pagan. Especially if one considers how the word is thrown around. All of Central and Southern America was considered Pagan even with no relations to Europe.

If Christianity had reached Indian shores the same way then Hinduism and certain types of Buddhism could of been called Pagan as it seems to match the definition.

[The Spiral Future]

hey, wait a minute, isn't there supposed to be this whole first amendment thing?

Yes, which why they are still protesting. The mayor himself said he can't stop the festival or the protests against it.

[Vareiln]

Well, I just found out what I'm doing for the solstice.

[Mike the Progressive]

cult
/kəlt/
Noun

A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.

Synonyms
worship - religion - adoration

------

Note the use of the word Religious being used in the above official definitions. A cult is a small religion or a system of worship.

As such I argue that it is a religion, whether or not it has outgrown the size required to be a cult is another matter. While I would personally argue that we have, that would be subjective.

Isn't paganism the 9th largest religion?

EDIT- And recognized by the US government as a tax exempt religion?

Yeah, but it's like .1% in the US and not even that to the world pop.

In any case, its size is irrelevant. I mean Scientology and Paganism are religions.

[Zavea]

hey, wait a minute, isn't there supposed to be this whole first amendment thing?

Yes, which why they are still protesting. The mayor himself said he can't stop the festival or the protests against it.

well, thankfully for all involved, these pagans can't actually use magic.

yet.

[Death Metal]

In any case, its size is irrelevant. I mean Scientology and Paganism are religions.

Paganism doesn't ask you to fork over 300 dollars to join, nor do we imprison members for months for re-education training.

So plz don't compare the two kthnx.

[The Spiral Future]

In any case, its size is irrelevant. I mean Scientology and Paganism are religions.

Paganism doesn't ask you to fork over 300 dollars to join, nor do we imprison members for months for re-education training.

So plz don't compare the two kthnx.

This indeed. We lack the necessary organisation and funds to be as dangerous as Scientology.

As well as the theology in most cases.

[Death Metal]

Yes, which why they are still protesting. The mayor himself said he can't stop the festival or the protests against it.

well, thankfully for all involved, these pagans can't actually use magic.

yet.

Well, the ceremonies are really no different than any other religion's prayers for a favor. Just more elaborate and occasionally involves sex.

[Choronzon]

Poor babies.

[Gauthier]

And? Have you not seen the Wicker Man?

Do they have bees?