Magical Religion and Modern Witchcraft [Paperback]

James R. Lewis (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0791428907 | ISBN-13: 978-0791428900 | Publication Date: April 19, 1996

Provides an overview of neo-paganism from the Goddess to magic and rituals, from history and ethics to the relationship of neo-paganism to Christianity.

This comprehensive anthology examines contemporary neo-paganism ranging from goddess theology to historical-critical essays. Many of the contributors are academically trained neo-pagans, and the resulting volume is a benchmark study of a significant movement that promises to reshape the religious landscape of the next century.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This much-needed collection of investigative essays, many from scholarly members of the Pagan community, clears the clouds of misconception surrounding Neo-Pagan culture. Here is inside information on the worldview, rituals, history and renaissance of practices predating the most popular current religions by thousands of years. Written in an intelligent and credible manner by authors who comprehend Paganism as a way of life rather than a distant mythology.

About the Author

James R. Lewis is Chairperson of the Department of Religious Studies at the World University of America. He has edited several academic anthologies, including The Gods Have Landed: New Religions from Other Worlds and, with J. Gordon Melton, Perspectives on the New Age , both published by SUNY Press. He has also authored a series of scholarly reference works on occult-religious topics, which have earned American Library Association and New York Times Book Awards. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (April 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791428907
• ISBN-13: 978-0791428900
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #915,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bringing Neo-Paganism into mainstream scholarship, May 6, 2004

By 

The Old Philosopher "The Old Philosopher" (WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Magical Religion and Modern Witchcraft (Paperback)

Magical Religion is a collection of scholarly papers by various authors. Contributors include well known neo-pagan writers such as Judy Harrow and Otter G'Zell, some pagan scholars like Dennis Carpenter, Ph.D., and some authors who's names I didn't recognize. I found myself wishing the editor had included a brief bio, CV, or credits for the various contributors. That's a serious fault.

The first section is about "The Goddess," a popular but somewhat increasingly controversial view of Wicca and witchcraft. Significantly lacking is co-equal focus on The God. Left out is any significant mention of the harmony and equality between Goddess and God that are important to many neo-pagans. The publication date is 1996, so perhaps it is understandable many neo-pagans were still being overwhelmed by feminism, "The Goddess" and "women's spirituality" largely originating in California.

One chapter deals with pagans who try to mix Jesus with paganism, and hold to both conflicting religions. The author describes how some pagans are unwilling to give up cultural Christianity even though they also have adopted The Goddess or other pagan religious teachings. Asatru and the Norse traditions of neo-paganism is covered in another chapter.

The scholarly approach to paganism begins to bring pagan religion into mainstream theological study. One chapter deals with the psychology of being a marginal person who's values are different than the cultural norms. One chapter describes the phenomenon of summer gatherings. Still other chapters deal with the possible origins of Wiccan theology and morality. Published by a University this volume makes neo-paganism more accessible to scholars of psychology, sociology, or theology, and can be a resource for any scholar writing a research paper on the emergence of new-paganism.