Pagan or Christian?

by Steve Bastin

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Life is so interesting if you do not take yourself too seriously.  Certainly there are serious matters.  But even serious matters often have a lighter side to them.

I have often gone from door-to-door looking for people who are interested in a religious discussion.  One response that I have sometimes received goes like this:  “I’m a….” SLAM.  At such times I am thankful that I do not have a religion that makes me that miserable.

Anyway, I received one of our “Straight Bible Talks” back in the mail with a little note appended.  “You speak in riddles as does the bible.  No wonder there are so many people wandering around with their own crazy interpretations of religion.  Long live the pagens (sic) of the planet.”

The address was carefully removed before returning the mailing.  The envelope had no return address, so obviously the person just wanted to put in their two cents worth and did not want me to reply.  So, I will reply for all the world to see.

What is it that pagans have to offer the world?  And also, what do Christians have to offer the world?

Here are some comments from Pagan websites:

“Doctrine, dogma and morals created solely by human beings to impose restrictions on others or dictate undue consequences for violations is the worst crime committed against humanity.”  (I generally agree although I’m not sure this is the “worst” crime.  However, the Christians system is imposed by God, not human beings.)  “This (paganism) involves eliminating all duality of perspective, such as judging people or events as "good" or "evil".”  (So, Hitler was not evil?)

Here is a comment that seems to be a favorite among pagans.  “If it harms none, do what thou wilt.”

In spite of this comment it is consistently urged among Pagans that the individual is free to develop their own morals and ethics.  If that be so then there can be no question of imposing the dictum, “If it harms none, do what thou wilt.”  It would seem more consistent to say, “Eat, drink and be merry.”  If this is not allowed then Paganism has simply become another system (differing from the Christian system) in imposing its will upon others.

Paganism offers a view of the world that says god is in everything and everything is god.  Man is not to have dominion over the world as urged by God in Genesis 1:26, but rather is simply part of nature, equal with nature, not essentially different from a rock or a tree.

Paganism offers a circular view of life.  It is argued on the basis of our cycle of seasons and the fact that we are made up of atoms that are constantly being replaced that human life is also recycled.  In their view people die and are reborn in a never ending cycle without judgment, without rewards, without punishment.  Of course, there is no proof for such a teaching.  It is just a human opinion.

Contrast for a moment the Pagan teaching, “Do no harm,” with Jesus’ teaching, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  No great deeds

are performed by doing no harm.  Treating people as one wants to be treated has resulted in the building of schools and hospitals, just to mention two things.

“Do as thou wilt,” focuses on self.  Selfishness lies at the heart of the pagan philosophy of life.

Contrasted with such thinking is the thinking of Jesus who put the interests of others ahead of himself when he went to the cross.  His prayer was, “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

Pagan websites often mention that they are not out to convert anyone.  That is understandable because they do not offer a system worth converting to!

In contrast the Christian system is superior in that it seeks to restrain evil doers and promote the general welfare of all of society.  Christians have been willing to die for their faith because they understand that there are rewards in the life to come.  Their hope lies in the resurrection of the dead, not that someday they can become a part of a rock or a tree.  (My body may become a part of a rock or a tree, but my soul returns to God who gave it.)  For the Pagan his god is a rock and a tree.

Adolph Hitler followed Pagan thinking.  He did no harm (in his view) when he set out to rid the Third Reich of all Jews.  He was simply making a better place in which the “Aryans” might live.

The problem with speaking of doing no harm is that each person is left free to define “harm” in whatever way seems appropriate.  Thus the abortionist proclaims that he does no harm, he is simply letting a woman exercise control over her own body (never mind that a baby is killed).

The drug addict proclaims that he does no harm, he is simply doing what he will.  Never mind that his parents and often his friends who have not followed him into his addiction are distraught and beside themselves with concern.

The environmentalist who sets fire to a laboratory does no harm.  After all he is just preventing the use of animals in experiments that are being conducted to save human lives.  He believes that animals are gods and on the same level as people.  Never mind that he is destroying the work and labors of others who (according to his system) have an equal right to their own beliefs!

What does all of this have to do with the Bible?  Simply put, the Bible presents a particular view of God and a particular view of what is right and what is wrong.  Paganism offers a conflicting view.  One cannot be a Pagan and believe the Bible.  One cannot be a “pagan” Christian.  (There are some churches that accept pagans as members.)

God is separate from His creation.  (Gen 1:1)  He is not a part of creation.  He is above and rules over His creation.  God is transcendent.

People are to rule over, have dominion over, the creation of God.  (Gen 1:26)  God clothed Adam and Eve with skins.  (Did the skins still have fur on them or did God just use the skin made into leather?)

When dams and levees are built to hold back the flood waters, people are simply exercising the God-given right expressed in Genesis.  When the ground is tapped to produce oil that will warm our homes in winter and provide electricity for cooling them in the summer, people are simply exercising the same God-given right.

Thank God for true Christians who have made the world a better place for pagans to live in.  God’s patience today allows people to believe whatever they want.  Yet, in the end, God will judge all people by His standard, the Bible.