Naturalistic Paganism
[Dead Ideas] “Cuneiform I: You’ve Got Mail – The World’s First Writing”, by B. T. Newberg
https://player.megaphone.fm/ADL1287619142?
We’ve got a new series coming out, and we’re going all the way back to ancient Sumer! We’re talking about the world’s oldest writing system, which revolutionized communication. Get your clay tablet and your stylus, and join us for: cuneiform!
Here are some of the episodes we have planned:
- I. You’ve Got Mail – The World’s First Writing
- II. Scribewarts Academy – Life as a Scribe in Babylon – RPG episode
- III. Mari Me – continuing our scribal RPG with courtly intrigue in the ancient city of Mari
- IV. The Great Sumerian Bake-off – food, beer, and feasting
- V. 50 Shades of Clay – Erotic Love Poetry of Ancient Sumer
- VI. Business Nuns of Babylon – the Naditum
- VII. Temple Prostitutes – Fact or Fiction?
- VIII. Finale – topic secret!
Check these episodes out at http://www.deadideas.net. And be sure to support the show at www.patreon.com/deadideaspod to get your portrait drawn in the time period and culture of your choosing!
Five Mistakes We Make When Criticizing Other Religions
When I tell my story of my departure from my faith of origin (Mormonism), I tend to phrase it in terms of my refusal to assent to certain doctrines and policies of the Mormon church. And, indeed, that was the story I told myself for many years. And yet, I wonder if perhaps my falling away was less a matter of the head, and more a matter of the heart. Read More
Sweet the Sting
About ten years ago, I went to a renaissance festival I used to work for, with this girl. We stopped at an oil perfumery caravan to try on some scented oil blends on our wrists to see which we liked best, made our purchases and left. I remember I was wearing a long-sleeve, colored shirt on that sunny day. Read More
Spiritual Experiences: Fuel for Action [Starstuff, Contemplating]
It’s been refreshing to read the current discussion on spiritual experiences, most recently restarted with John Halstead’s post about American Gods. In response to that, Rua Lupa warned against “emphasizing Pleasure as a pinnacle of religious practice” and how that could result in problematic hedonism (pleasure as the sole goal). John also pointed out some important benefits of spiritual experiences (with some of his own experiences), and Mark Green described both his own experiences and how the benefits and potential excesses of spiritual experiences need to be balanced. All of these raise important points, and I agree with all of them. While trying to avoid repetition, a couple additional points come to mind. Read More
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Pagan Coming Out Day – May 2nd
Naturalistic Paganism 