THE CONDITION OF PAGANISM IN EUROPE CAN APPEAR AS A PARADOX IN MANY WAYS
By Diane Sasse

For one, Pagan culture is a direct root of European heritage and can be felt in an very intensive way, because archeological sites, greater ones but also countless minor ones, are found nearly everywhere.

Recognizable basics of the essence of pagan faith can be tracked back in history, even beyond antique cultures: For example, Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, the oldest known cult edifice, that has some similarities with Stonehenge - and don’t forget the “sky disk of Nebra”, an approximately 3600-year-old artifact that depicts the sky with indicators for solstices and equinoxes – the oldest known realistic rendering of the sky that probably served both astronomical as well as religious purposes.

They all seem to contain the same spirit of a basic religion that probably was spread all over the continent. There is a special strength in the knowledge that these artifacts came from the soil that saw your ancestors long time ago.

On the other hand, and this is why I wrote “paradox” at the beginning, Sometimes it appears to me that paganism is more lost in Europe than in every other part of the world. Countries that actually provide a rich pagan cultural heritage, such as Greece, Ireland, and Italy are also most eager to insist on their Christian identity. The situation is different in every European country and does also depend a lot on how religion as such is handled in the respective state. Analyzing every state would go too far.

France, where I live, is a very secular state with laicism not only as official dogma regarding religion, but also as a proclaimed ideal: “One of the pillars of the republic” as it is said. Some even think that laicism is itself a replacement religion in France, which is not totally false. Laicism means that church and state are strictly separated and no religious signs are allowed in official buildings or schools. Religion is a private matter.

For one, this prevents “big religions” from undermining the law with their dogmas and morals. They also cannot fight minor religions. On the other hand, the alternative religions also don’t get any support and therefore – in one word, Paganism is almost unknown in France. At least officially. There are some pagan associations, some covens and of course the pagan heritage, but the average French citizen isn’t aware of paganism as an actual living religion.

When I say that I am a Pagan, I have to explain people what it means, because most of the time they mistake Paganism with Atheism. By now, I prefer to say “I am polytheist” – at least here people can figure out something.

Reaction is generally positive. What I do often hear is “Well, for me most important is that no religion gets involved in state. Then, everyone is free to believe what they want.” When mutual pledges to the common “faith laicism” are done, we go farther into the subject. “In which Gods do you believe?” is the most frequent next question.

After my car accident, while my car was at the mechanic I had to share my neighbor’s rides to the supermarket every Friday in his car to go shopping and so we got a chance to talk. I know it’s a shame, I live here about eight years and until my accident we didn’t exchange much more than a “Hi” over our garden fences. To be honest, I always thought he was a moron. During our common shopping rides we one day also talked about religion. After explaining him my faith he said “Do you also worship the Sun God?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Heck, is there anything more logical?” he said “Every plant worships the sun, so essentially, it’s probably the most basic religious feeling in every living being.” I must admit that I didn’t expect this much understanding from him – I mean him…

So it’s not like pagans are purposely swept away from public recognition. It’s just that we are so scarce that people have to learn first that we exist. When they do, the response is generally positive. In France, people are too much aware that religion is just religion and that there isn’t a religion that is more “normal” than another. Laicism keeps down most of the attempts of the three monotheistic faiths to establish themselves in departments where religion doesn’t belong. At least for now. But things are changing.