Oddbean new post about | logout
 Forgive my ignorance, but.. I *am* ignorant and wanting to know more. 

I've recently randomly come across posts across different social media channels talking about the whiteness of Paganism and condemning the white supremacy of Paganism (infiltrating? Or it's always been inherently white supremacist? Idk.) I'm not doubting this in the least, but there are some things that are fuzzy for me and I think it's because I might be understanding the word Pagan incorrectly.

I'm not a Christian, but I was brought up by conservative Christian pastors and in this environment, I only really learned an historical understanding of the word to basically mean anything that's not Christian, especially non-Ibrahimic religions.

I guess I just want to detangle my understanding of the word so I can follow the line of critique best. 

Is Paganism only applied to 'New Age' stuff? European? Norse ? What about, say, Zoroastrianism or Sumerian, Akkadian, or Greek deities, etc.?

How do I apply the discourse?