Product Description

In Pagan Theology, Michael York situates Paganism - one of the fastest-growing spiritual orientations in the West - as a world religion. He provides an introduction to, and expansion of, the concept of Paganism and provides an overview of its theological perspective and practice. He demonstrates it to be a viable and distinguishable spiritual perspective found today in such forms as Chinese folk religion, Shinto, tribal religions, and neo-Paganism in the West. While adherents of many of these traditions do not use the word "pagan" to describe their beliefs or practices, York contends that there is an identifiable position possessing characteristics and understandings in common for which the label "pagan" is appropriate. He outlines these characteristics and also explores paganism as a general form of religious behavior which may be found in other religions which are not themselves pagan. In the course of examining such behavior, York provides rich and lively descriptions of religions in action, including Buddhism and Hinduism.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #621059 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 239 pages

Review
"Groundbreaking... riveting... Michael York has laid the intellectual groundwork for a new approach to theology." - The Quest; "York endeavors to demonstrate that paganism in its many varieties has an underlying unity." - Library Journal"

Customer Reviews

A Fine Study
This is a fine study of the ideas that lay behind ancient Paganism, and how they relate to and resemble the ideas of modern Paganism.

York proposes a model of Paganism which is pluralistic and polytheistic, nature-focused, human-focused and that seeks a good life on earth more than it does a specific sort of good afterlife.

He begins by examining some of the most well-preserved of ancient forms, those of China and India. He finds in traditional Taoist Paganism his first and most complete model. In Hinduism he has to choose among the many forms to find the (still fairly prominent) presence of Pagan ways. Having isolated the pagan remnants in those ways, he goes on to other world religions, including Japanese culture, European Catholicism and North American First Peoples. York makes fairly good use of material from the african world, including santeria, Lucumi, and the like.

After pointing out the Pagan ideas in the various world paths, he examines the neopagan movement, and reaches interesting conclusions.

I'd recommend this as a fine contribution to the development of Pagan theological thinking.

Off the mark on paganism
Michael York includes Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Yaruba, and just about everything else in his definition of "paganism." From reading the text its pretty clear that the working definition of "paganism" is "everything not Jewish, Christian, or Moslem." At one point he's even lumping Mormons and Adventists, non-main-steam Christians into "paganism." Very few practicing Pagans, Hindus, Buddhists or Mormons would accept that definition. I was left wondering if he has a clue what he's talking about. The back cover promises, "audacious redrawing of traditional religious boundaries," and York delivers that. So audacious is his redrawing that very few of the groups about which he writes would recognize or accept his audacity. At one point he says that contemporary western neo-paganism is less polytheistic than the Christian trinity. Who is he to redefine the ancient Hindu religion as "pagan"? Or Buddhism? No, I don't think it's scholarly, its not spiritual, and not much of anything else either. For [$$$] it's way over priced.

College Material
Some books are meant to be read by all while others are scholarly texts that are written to augment our basis of knowledge. This book falls into the second category and Mr. York has done his homework. Pagan Theology is a thesis on the Pagan Religion, not a work that teaches us or presents us with entertainment or tradition.

Mr. York has gone into depth exploring the vast patchwork that is the Pagan Path. Mr. York argues the path as a valid religion and explores the theology and the modern practices. He then compares them to other religions to validate our presence as a valid religion.

Mr. York argues his point well and very thoroughly. I am impressed with his research. The book is a wonderful textbook for those who study comparative religions and would make a great addition to college classes on the subject.

But it is a textbook, not a casual read. Anyone who has gone through text books on theology would agree that they are not meant for a lazy afternoon. And this book is not for everyone. While it would be good for those who are looking at a Doctorate in Theology or a good reference book for their term paper on comparative religions, it would not interest the casual beginner. Mr. York is a good researcher and worked out the book well to present his point; but it can be dry in spots. That is a characteristic of any text book, I'm afraid. Good material, but sometimes long and tedious if the material is not what you are looking for.

This book should be recommended to teachers at the College level for addition to their curriculum or as a study aid for comparative religion studies or theological research on general pagan studies. It should also be recommended to clergy religions who would find it of value in their own studies of comparative religions.