Warren, a man known for his devout worship of pagan gods, is an intriguing individual who captivates those around him with his unwavering dedication to his beliefs. Despite living in a modern society that predominantly follows monotheistic religions, Warren stands out as a steadfast worshipper of a pantheon of gods associated with nature and polytheism. One cannot help but notice Warren's deep connection to the natural world, as he frequently spends his time mingling with nature, tending to sacred groves, and performing rituals to honor his gods. His spiritual practices involve paying homage to gods such as Gaia, the Earth goddess, Apollo, the god of sun and light, and Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. One particular characteristic that sets Warren apart from others is his unwavering faith in his beliefs. While many would consider his worship of pagan gods to be archaic and irrelevant in modern times, Warren firmly holds on to his convictions.
Evil is an integral part in any religion. Moorindal, the God of Shadow, is represented in one way or another in all of Arcanum's pagan religions. Moorindal is the bastard son of the moon and the Helion, the God of Light. Patricide is always associated with Moorindal, as legend tells that once Helion ruled over both the day and the night, but that Moorindal killed him so that the night could be his and his mother's. So the night became the kingdom of Moorindal, as did the winter months.
Smith is turning to a project, tentatively entitled Plato and Christ Platonism in Early Christian Theology , that will examine the significance of the tradition called Christian Platonism for Christianity in a post-modern age. June 2003 John Wesley s Growth in Grace and Gregory of Nyssa s Epectasy A Conversation in Dynamic Perfection, at John Wesley Life, Legend, and Legacy, Wesley Tercentenary Conference, University of Manchester, Manchester, England.
While many would consider his worship of pagan gods to be archaic and irrelevant in modern times, Warren firmly holds on to his convictions. He often speaks passionately about the power and wisdom of the gods, emphasizing their relevance in today's world. Throughout history, pagan religions have been viewed as primitive and outdated, often overshadowed by the rise of monotheistic faiths.
Athens Area Pagans Advocate for Freedom of Religion
A woman invites a group of her closest friends to spend a Wednesday evening together at her house in the woods.
They are not spending the evening indoors watching TV or sharing a meal. Tonight the focus is on an important religious ceremony they will hold outdoors.
Members of the group carry supplies such as dragon’s blood incense, a bottle of mead, pomegranate seeds, a bell, salt and miscellaneous clothes.
They walk up a hill into a backyard clearing. Two women in the group assemble their supplies onto four tables placed within a circle of four large logs, marking the four cardinal directions. The three others remain near the house.
Then, one member turns off the house lights, and the group enters the circle. They are surrounded by a dozen candles ranging in shape and size and their assorted supplies. A thick grove of trees blocks the view of the neighbors, while crickets chirp on this warm autumn night.
Jim Grimes sits in the center, holding a guitar, and guides Lechele Foley as she proceeds around the circle to ward off evil spirits and ask for the protection of elemental gods.
The group is holding a ritual for Mabon, one of eight Wiccan Sabbat days, or the autumnal equinox. Though only five have gathered in Foley’s backyard, they are among the many Americans who practice a form of religion broadly labeled as Paganism.
Why It’s Newsworthy: Pagans in the Athens area come together to fight misconceptions and prejudice about their religious beliefs and practices.
Jim Grimes, first on the left, leads members of Athens Area Pagans in the Mabon ritual on Sept. 21, 2022. Among the members is Angela Warren, last on the right, CEO of the organization. (Photo/Malcolm Montgomery)
Building a Pagan Community
Pagans often rely on internet sites and forums to contact and communicate with each other across the country and the world. Popular forums, such as the Witch’s Voice or Witchvox.com, help pagans find others with similar beliefs within their local communities.
In 2005, Lachele Foley wrote a post calling on pagans in the Athens area to gather at the Georgia Botanical Gardens. This meeting was the inception of Athens Area Pagans, a nonprofit organization for people from a wide range of practices that all fall under the label of paganism.
Finding Spirituality in Nature
Defining paganism can be difficult. The short answer from Foley and Grimes is that paganism is merely an umbrella term to categorize numerous beliefs and practices that respect nature and consider the earth to be sacred.
“We joke that if you ask 10 pagans what paganism is, you’ll get 20 answers,” says Angela Warren, the current CEO of the organization. “Most [pagan beliefs] revolve around a closer connection to nature,” she says.
It is the more earthbound, natural elements that attracted Warren to paganism. She and many pagans believe that the natural cycles of birth, growth and death observed in the world around us carry profoundly spiritual meanings.
Leaving Mainstream Religions
“I grew up in a religion, primitive Baptist, that was very gnostic … the whole message that this world is not our home was very strong,” Warren says.
“I struggled and struggled and struggled because when you are raised in the South with a conservative family, religion is what makes you a ‘good person,’” Warren adds.
These internal struggles, along with a family history of mental illness, put Warren in a dark place. Paganism, Warren says, “was the exact opposite of where I had been, and it helped pull me out of a hole.”
Much like Warren, Jim Grimes, a founding member of Athens Area Pagans, joined the pagan community from a Southern Baptist background. He appreciates how paganism is a “practical” religion, as he calls it.
Grimes says it’s “more about what you do than what you believe.”
Paganism is considered by some practitioners as a ‘practical’ religion. Rituals and rites can be performed using common, on hand, household objects, such as candles, lights, and self-written words. (Photo/Malcolm Montgomery)
Fighting Discrimination
Regardless of its practicality, practicing paganism comes with many challenges. There are misconceptions that pagans are devil worshippers or cult members.
“There is definitely still discrimination against minority religions,” Warren says.
Members of Athens Area Pagans face fears of losing jobs and housing due to their religion. Warren says she once lost her home when her Christian landlords learned of her pagan beliefs and refused to renew her lease.
Grimes recounts an incident during an attempt by the organization to open a retail store on Baxter Street.
“The real estate agent was very enthusiastic …. [until] the word ‘pagan’ got mentioned while he was showing us the building. All the sudden … we stopped getting phone calls,” Grimes says.
After reaching back out, Grimes was informed that plans for a pagan store were deemed “inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood.”
Creating an Inclusive Space
Incidents such as these are the reason Athens Area Pagans works to advocate for and help paganism be seen and practiced openly, starting with providing inclusive space for pagan rituals.
CEO Angela Warren sets up a booth at Athens PrideFest 2022. Promoting Athens Area Pagans and spreading information on paganism is one way the organization works to fight misconceptions and make their religion known to and seen by the public. (Photo/Malcolm Montgomery)
“There’s little places where the pagans have spaces dotted around, but it’s nowhere near the variety Christians have,” Warren explains.
“That’s why we bought land on the other side of town, so we can set up a place for people to come out that’s not a government-controlled park,” Warren adds.
With a place of their own, Warren hopes her organization can give hope to local pagans for years to come.
Malcolm Montgomery is a fourth-year student majoring in journalism with a minor in theater.
However, Warren challenges this conventional view by showcasing the beauty of his spiritual practices and their role in fostering a deep connection with the natural world. Warren's worship of pagan gods also serves as a reminder of the diversity and richness present in human spirituality. While monotheism may dominate in many parts of the world, there exist numerous paths that people choose to follow in their search for meaning and connection. Warren's dedication to his pagan gods is a testament to this diversity, encouraging open-mindedness and acceptance of different belief systems. In conclusion, Warren's status as a worshipper of pagan gods highlights his unwavering dedication to his beliefs and his deep connection with the natural world. Despite living in a predominantly monotheistic society, he stands out as a symbol of diversity and richness in human spirituality. Warren's story serves as an inspiration for individuals to embrace and respect different belief systems, recognizing the beauty and significance they hold for those who follow them..
Reviews for "Warren's Paganism: A Threat to Traditional Values?"
1. Robert - 1 star - "I found 'Warren worshipper of pagan gods' to be incomprehensible and deeply unsettling. I couldn't connect with the characters or the storyline, and the heavy emphasis on pagan worship only served to alienate me further. The writing was confusing and lacked coherence, making it difficult to engage with the plot. Overall, this book simply wasn't for me."
2. Emily - 2 stars - "As someone who enjoys exploring different religious beliefs and practices in literature, I was initially intrigued by the premise of 'Warren worshipper of pagan gods.' However, I was disappointed with how the pagan gods were portrayed. The author seemed to rely on stereotypes and misconceptions, which overshadowed any potential depth or insight. Additionally, the pacing of the story was awkward, with plot points rushed and undeveloped. I struggled to become invested in the characters and their journey, ultimately leaving me dissatisfied."
3. Laura - 2 stars - "While I appreciate the attempt at exploring diverse beliefs and spirituality, I found 'Warren worshipper of pagan gods' to be overly predictable and lacking in originality. The characters felt cliché and one-dimensional, and the overall narrative lacked depth. The use of pagan worship as a central theme felt forced and exploited, without providing any meaningful exploration or understanding. I had hoped for a more nuanced and thought-provoking read, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations."
4. Michael - 1 star - "I struggled to connect with 'Warren worshipper of pagan gods' from the beginning. The writing style was convoluted, and the plot felt disjointed, with abrupt shifts that left me confused. Additionally, I found the representation of pagan gods and their worship to be oversimplified and lacking in authenticity. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to invest in their journeys. Overall, I was left disappointed and disconnected from this book."