PAN is pleased to announce the after more than a years worth of work for the author and from committee members who reviewed, edited and prepared the publication, Gavin Andrew PAN's Media officer has published his ebook PAGANISM and CHRISTIANITY - A Guide for Wiccan, Witches and Pagans online via SMASHWORDS. Publication of this ebook via SMASHWORDS, means the book is available in an online form, via epub format for most e-readers, via PDF, and also for Amazon's Kindle. SMASHWORDS has also seen this ebook published on the Apple iTunes bookstore and Barnes and Noble online store in the US.

About the Book:

The modern pagan revival is one of the fastest growing religious movements on the planet. Yet it continues to be misunderstood by those Christian institutions that condemn, and in some case demonize, pagan beliefs and practices.

In Paganism & Christianity, the Pagan Awareness Network's Gavin Andrew examines the reasons why paganism has traditionally been reviled, uncovering some of the lesser-known aspects of Christian history. This concise resource explores Christianity's deep entanglement with European and Middle-Eastern indigenous beliefs, and reveals the basis for Christian attitudes toward modern paganism.

More than simply an apologist or accusatory text, Paganism & Christianity challenges the reader to remove those rose-colored glasses with which pagans and Christians alike often view their own histories. Through examination of Scripture, ancient texts and the works of modern-day scholars, Gavin Andrew untangles a narrative that many Fundamentalist Christians, and some pagans, have interpreted as a spiritual war between irreconcilable enemies.

Reviews

By Krista Rados

“This is what the LORD says: …For the customs of the people are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.” (Jeremiah 10:2-4)

At one time or another most pagans will have said, “Christian holidays are all pagan in origin!” In fact I count myself as one of those who have made this triumphant declaration - and right now, as Christians around the world are decorating Yule trees, it would seem like a fair statement.

Yet how many of us can claim to have delved into the origins of this culture clash? How many have made the effort to read the Bible, explore ancient texts or read the works of modern-day academics in order to better understand the dynamics of the pagan-Christian relationship?

Gavin Andrew of the Pagan Awareness Network has done just that in his new book ‘Paganism & Christianity’. Throughout, he asks (and answers) the questions many pagans and Christians have long avoided or glossed over. Of particular interest to me is the overarching question - why is it that so many Christians criticise Wicca, witchcraft, and other forms of pagan spirituality? Is there really any justifiable reason for this condemnation?

It is refreshing then, to read a book that considers the common roots from which modern paganism and modern Christianity arose, without casting aspersions about who has more right to what. Instead of legitimising pagan practice by simply championing their pre-Christian origins, Gavin Andrew takes a methodical approach to exploring how both paganism and Christianity have affected one another over the course of history.

Nevertheless, this book does not shy away from revealing the lesser known and sometimes darker aspects of Christian history. For me it is certainly interesting to remember that Christianity did not develop in a cultural vacuum, nor did it emerge as a fully formed religion. When treated as such, it is easier to understand how modern-day Christian attitudes may have developed from an identity crisis borne of the deep historical entanglement between polytheism and monotheism.

‘Paganism & Christianity’ also invites pagan readers to reflect on our own history in this wider context and challenges us to acknowledge the evidence that modern paganism has, in turn, appropriated many of the elements of Christian ritual magic practiced in the Middle Ages. Accepting this is something I have personally struggled with in the past and clearly Gavin Andrew has gone to extreme lengths to investigate and support these claims. As such, the book is filled with end-notes and citations from a wide array of sources.

The presentation of this meticulous research has given me a greater awareness of the challenges facing paganism as it continues to find its place within our culture and society. It is therefore liberating to gain a better understanding of the historical facts so that we may move forward from a position that reinforces our own identity as that of religious victim.

Even though ‘Paganism & Christianity’ is an educational resource, it is far from being a dry, intellectual tome. I found the book to be pithy and honest. Gavin Andrew doesn’t hold anyone’s hand while presenting the results of his research. I quite enjoyed his candid and hard-hitting response to some of the claims made by Christians about paganism. Yet neither does he fall into the trap of vilifying the Christian faith.

As such, a strong focus of this book is to work towards helping pagans communicate with Christians in an open and constructive way. There is much to be said for clearing the air, and it seems to be the hope of this book that free-thinkers on either side will use this resource to help build bridges between what has traditionally been seen as diametrically opposed worldviews.

After all, wouldn't it be nice if one day pagan and Christian families could openly celebrate Christmas and Solstice together?

Supporting PAN

Proceeds from the sale of this ebook go to the Pagan Awareness Network Inc to continue its work in the Pagan Community.