Letter to the Editor

Liberty, August 2002

Sent 24 Aug 2002, not published

Pagan Pretense

Steven Olson writes (The Pagan Perspective, Letters, August) that "the ethical core of most pagan religions is summed up in one sentence: if it harms none, do what you will." The record of history would suggest a more accurate summary of paganism would be simply "do what you will" or "might makes right!" From the Inca (collectivist, despotic), Aztec (militaristic, large-scale human sacrifice), and Maya (human sacrifice) of old, to the neo-pagan Nazis and Soviets, pagan systems have always been (and always will be) characterized by centralized top-down power, collectivism, total regulation, the rule of man, fear and repression leading, if unchecked, to total oppression and tyranny. In crystal-clear contrast, our western heritage of freedom rests upon our Judeo-Christian tradition, which provides the only effective basis for the dignity of individuals, and yields (in theory and in history) individualism, liberty, the rule of law, true community and justice in an atmosphere of limited government.

Steven P. Sawyer

Nimrod was the first of these pagan leaders, cited as "a mighty predator before the face of God" (i.e. God was NOT happy about this style of leadership, which trampled His preferred 'shepherd' style of leadership).