Isaac Bonewits Neo-Pagan Ethics and Theology

In this video are clips taken from a 2002 interview I did with Isaac Bonewits on Neo-Pagan ethics as part of my 10 year Anthropological study. In these clips he discusses what he believes to be the ethical foundation of the Neo-Pagan movement. He also discusses his views on Christian cultural dualism, monotheism and polytheism.

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• Isaac
• Bonewitz
• Bonewits
• Neo-Pagan
• Pagan
• Elder
• ethics
• ADF
• Druidry
• druid
• Cultural
• dualism
• polytheism
• Starwood
• Festival

[SketchyTree]

@alosel2 I think that they are two different spectrums in terms of literal translation; I don't think that dealing with opposing/contrary forces would accept one over the other, because to do so is a matter of interpretation. But in terms of them being two different spectrums, it's about the relationship between the forces, each are literal in and of themselves, but their relationships can be symbolically interchanged to relate to a 'bigger picture.'

[alosel2]

@SketchyTree I think people need to make a distinction between the kind of dualism where you have to two polar/complementary forces and the kind where you have two opposing/contrary forces. Or maybe a better way of distinguishing them.

In Chinese philosophy, everything contain a measure of each with with yin/yang being in/appropriate in different contexts and a spectrum can be made with varying degrees of intergration. The latter would deny the spectrum and demonise the Other. What d'you think?

[saintben2008]

well said. i agree.

[irkofan]

His explanation of dualism describes, almost precisely, a "Fundamental Druid" that I

attempted to have a discussion with. He wanted everything in black and white terms, and

he was not willing to accept any answer to a question about life unless it was a solid,

unshakeable, and completely bias answer.

[whiteanimous]

christianity is so invasive. i spent years trying to stop missionary retards from converting innocent people.

[whiteanimous]

@astridkitty1212 yeah. the whole thing with christanity is that it has been fundamentally corrupted. we should be glad that reason cleared enough historical bullshit out so we can get back to the way thongs should be. before the invasion.

[astridkitty1212]

What Christian dualism really is is a parasitic infection. In order for it to work one person has to be a total fundy Christian whose mind is fully controlled by the church, who then has to go out and convert other people to the same way of thinking, thus making them into fundies whose minds are controlled by the church, and then they go and...see the pattern? It's a very scary method of parasitic mind worm transmission! =0

[Silvershadow1956]

Really loved his explanations of dualism.

[Didgjedi13]

Nice!

[SketchyTree]

I disagree with about 33% of his idea about dualism being "bad" in the sense that it is rooted in Christian influence. Dualism explains a portion of the mechanics of magic, and many things exist in that way...the Tao being a prime example. It's not closed minded to believe in dualism to a degree, but they certainly don't clash. They compliment and balance one another. That helps a lot in exploration.