LETTERS: DIFFERENT BELIEFS, SAME HIGHER POWER

To the editor:

In response to the recent letter, "Paganism is definitely a cult":

Yes, paganism is a cult, but by definition alone so is any other religious foundation, be it Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist or pagan. The worship of any deity, regardless of name, shape or form, is deemed a cult. A cult is not a sinister four-letter word signifying wayward children possessed by evil demons seeking to overthrow the world and instilling an Age of Darkness and fear. A cult is nothing more than what our good friend Webster defined as "a system of religious worship."

Our first barrier to cross is one of language and communication. The word "cult" has taken on a sinister connotation by an egocentric belief system that fears itself in jeopardy of extinction. If that same belief system was as all-powerful as it claims, this lashing out at opposing views would be senseless.

Barrier No. 2 is one of ignorance. Instead of self-righteously declaring paganism an evil cult, it would be wise and honorable for one to take the time to learn more about the history of paganism and the world itself. Only then will one realize that Christianity owes most of its origins to paganism.

Paganism is not the birthchild of a morally declining modern society. It has been around for thousands of years longer than the more recent Christian sects. Many Christian customs were adopted from earlier pagan religions.

Thirdly, it's probably about time the earth was given the same respect as the gods. Maybe then we will stop massacring our life force. Pagans practice honoring the land and the forces of nature. Instead of trying to conquer, squelch and overcome these forces, pagans tend to try and work harmoniously with them, preserving the altruism with which the earth feeds and supports us. True pagans believe in a higher force and see the earth merely as a beautiful manifestation of that higher force.

This is not a Christian-bashing letter, so please do not take it as such. There's too much misunderstanding in the world as it is. This is merely a request for people to take the time to learn more about one another before making unjustified opinions about the evils of one's actions whom you know nothing about.

Some food for thought: What do you think of the idea that all the different types of religions and belief systems are merely different faces of one higher force manifesting itself to each and every tribe?Maybe it is that idea that will end all this senseless bickering and even more senseless murdering in the name of God, no matter whose God.

SHAWNA R. WILLIAMS

Cape Girardeau