Question about Joseph Campbell

[David19]

I heard that Joseph Campbell was one of the founders of the modern pagan movement (i have no idea if that's true, did he ever meet Gardner?) but on several sites i've read he was very anti-Semitic, does anyone know if this is true, it says it on this site (http://www.holysmoke.org/sdhok/npag.htm) and also on some forums that are dedicated to him, i found this post by a fan of his called why i am anti-Semitic (http://www.jcf.org/forum/viewtopic.php?topic=1993&forum=27), i've recently looked through one of his books called the Masks of God in a bookshop and it seems good, but before i even consider buying it, i'd like to know if he was anti-Semitic (i also heard that old pagans like 5o years ago, were also anti-Semitic, so was he a product of his time).

Thanks.

[Rae ShadowWolf]

I adore Joseph Campbell. Just a note: His anti-semitism could stem from his dislike for Western Religions. I don't believe he was anti-semitic, but then again, I never knew him...heh.

[Dawa Lhamo]

Not founder in the sense that he fathered children, but father in the sense that he was a role model to many. Campbell was not himself religious, but his work on world religions enabled a lot of pagans today to be what they are, and to use and develop their own mythologies. I think we owe a lot to Joseph Campbell, but I don't think he's necessarily a founder.... That implies founding something... ^_^

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[Dawa Lhamo]

As far as anti-Semitism, I agree with Rae ShadowWolf, I think he more disliked the monotheistic Western religions in general, not as a racist prejudice against the Jews... but, then again, I never met the man. ^_^

[Vincent Verthaine]

I wouldn't call him a founder of modern paganism,but definately a major influence.
IMHO if anyone can be argued as to who is was a "founder of modern paganism",it would be Crowley,Gardiner,Hill and Thornley.

[Kudzu]

He was never even Pagan, much less a founder of any Pagan religion! However, he is a great inspiration to many Pagans! I do not know whether or not he was anti-Semetic. Certainly the books that I've read by him have not reflected that.

[Philosophia]

Not founder in the sense that he fathered children, but father in the sense that he was a role model to many. Campbell was not himself religious, but his work on world religions enabled a lot of pagans today to be what they are, and to use and develop their own mythologies. I think we owe a lot to Joseph Campbell, but I don't think he's necessarily a founder.... That implies founding something... ^_^

I agree with this. In my path, Joseph Campbell is a major influence however others may not think so.
I do believe he should be thanked for at least bringing "pagan" mythologies into the light again.

[eldora_avalon]

I wouldn't call him a founder for the same reason I wouldn't call biblical scholars founders of anything. I think his books have helped to keep some things or get some things in the know. In that way he has helped. I never noticed any anti anything, so I dunno.

[Ishtara]

Not trying to sound like a broken record here, but I would not call Campbell a founder either, for the reasons other posters mentioned.

The Masks of God is a fascinating series (there are four volumes) and I think you would find these books extremely interesting. Vol. II and III in particular (Oriental Mythology and Occidental Mythology) would give you great insights into the correspondances and the underlying psychology of various pantheons that are of interest to you.
After that, you can tackle his other works like The Hero with a Thousand Faces, which is a more synthetic study of the archetypes of the hero and spiritual leader.

However, these books are not religious or mystical in nature. Like Dawa Lhamo and Kudzu said, Campbell was not pagan or even religious. He refers to Jung's concepts quite a bit and even though you can tell he was passionate about comparative religion, his approach is strictly that of a scholar.

As for him having been anti-Semitic, I cannot answer your question (this is actually the first I hear of it), but I noticed no such bias in his writings.
If anything, the only time I can recall him conveying a strong dislike for someone or something is a chapter at the end of Oriental Mythology where he described in heart-rending terms some Chinese "policies" in Tibet. Definitely no love lost for the contemporary Chinese goverment!