Paganism in Catholic terms

[girlharmony]

While looking for information on a crucifix that has been in my family for generations, I came across an article in the "Catholic Encyclopedia".

Found here (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15674a.htm) and here (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11388a.htm)

I was wondering what other pagans thought about this. I found it kind of odd, considering it's published in an encycolpedia: which are normally quite open to inturrpretation.

[Ben Trismegistus]

Well, there's a difference between an encyclopedia like Brittannica and the Catholic Encyclopedia. A standard encyclopedia tries to be unbiased, while the Catholic Encyclopedia has no reason to do that.

I'm of the opinion that we can't let those who are not us define us.

[heartandrose]

I heard that Catholicism and witchcraft have some stuff in common, but then again all religions actually have more then the god thing in common. Alot of the them have the same morals and values in the sense that you need to be nice to people and some say give to charity. But isn't there more stuff with Catholicism and witchcraft.

[Rubber_Piggy]

Well, there's a difference between an encyclopedia like Brittannica and the Catholic Encyclopedia. A standard encyclopedia tries to be unbiased, while the Catholic Encyclopedia has no reason to do that.

I'm of the opinion that we can't let those who are not us define us.

That's right. This is a book written, essentially, for catholics. Of course they are going to publish the catholic take on us. However given that it's a catholic book, I can't imagine many non-catholics taking this information as true and unbiased.

[Jenett]

First thing to note:

That encyclopedia's copyrighted 1912 (look at the very bottom of the page, in the smallish type). So not only is it from another religion's point of view, but it's nearly a century old.

The Catholic Church has gone through a huge amount of change in that time, including how it relates to other religions. Assuming that something in a book that old is a current belief or practice is probably not the best assumption.

In particular, something written in 1912 will not be taking modern understanding of witchcraft (or Wicca) into consideraiton: it just wasn't around yet, and the parts that were (assuming you believe there was some sort of existing folk tradition) definitely weren't public.

[Stormcall]

Meh. It's a catholic encyclopedia and in all honesty I'm not suprised. Why waste time being upset over something that's probably not going to be changed. They'll have their biases, no amount of logic or reasoning will remove them- and as someone already said, it's centuries old. It was clearly designed for catholics, so why not let them have it and not worry so much what they think? :floating:

[Djiril]

First thing to note:

That encyclopedia's copyrighted 1912 (look at the very bottom of the page, in the smallish type). So not only is it from another religion's point of view, but it's nearly a century old.

Meaning it's older than modern Wicca. ;)

[TYRRHENUS]

I make much use of the Catholic Encyclopedia actually. It covers a lot of history which secular encyclopedias just don't have the room for.
The Catholic Encyclopedia is still in print, btw, yet is very expensive. You can however get a used set from amazon for around $50 (last time I checked).