Naturalistic Paganism
Is Japan really the 2nd-most atheist nation?
While stereotypes portray Japan as a nation of serene mystics, surveys reveal the world’s second largest population of atheists.
– by B. T. Newberg
“I don’t know anything about Buddhism,” she said.
I stared at her quizzically.
But you’re a priest’s daughter, I thought. You grew up in a temple, and may even take over the temple one day. How could you not know anything about Buddhism?
“I don’t really have a religion,” she said.
The young Japanese woman in this exchange is fairly typical of many today for whom religion has become mostly cultural custom.
East Asia is apparently a hothouse of atheism, according to world polls. But is it really so, or is it an illusion of cultural factors and skewed statistics?
Upcoming work
This Sunday
As a follow-up to the previous post on non-religion in Korea, this one delves into Japan, which boasts an even higher population of Atheists. Is it really so, or do cultural factors skew the data?
Is Japan really the 2nd most atheist nation?, by B. T. Newberg
Appearing Sunday, March 10th, 2013
Next Sunday
Is it morally questionable to charge money for magic? Drew Jacob is taking a new approach to the question with his Magic to the People project.
Helping People With Magic, by Drew Jacob
Appearing Sunday, March 17th, 2013
Recent Work
Pagan Atheists: Yes, we exist, by Stifyn Emrys
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is today. From the website:
Women’s organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women’s advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women’s equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life. (from www.internationalwomensday.com)
In many countries, men honor mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, and so forth with flowers and small gifts. Others recognize it with events and activism.
Pagan Atheists: Yes, we exist, by Stifyn Emrys
Can atheists be Pagans?
To me, the answer to that question seems easy. Of course they can. But when I brought up the subject recently, I realized the answer wasn’t nearly so clear-cut for many people … and that a few objected vehemently to the very suggestion that these two philosophies were compatible.
One person even suggested that I was doing Paganism a grave disservice by even suggesting such a notion. This person had spent a good deal of effort convincing some folks who identified themselves as Christians that Pagans weren’t “godless.” To say that Pagans could be atheists, she said, was to prove these Christians right! (I found myself wondering why I, or anyone who holds a non-Christian belief, should care about how a Christian might judge that belief.)
Certainly, not all Pagans are godless, just as not all Pagans are Wiccans. The majority are, in fact, theists – and the majority of those are polytheists, believers in many gods. But there are some Pagan pantheists out there, too, along with some monotheists, some agnostics and yes, even some atheists.
Upcoming work
This Sunday
Author Stifyn Emrys asks: Can Atheists by Pagans?
Pagan Atheists: Yes, we exist, by Stifyn Emrys
Appearing Sunday, March 3rd, 2013
Next Sunday
As a follow-up to the previous post on non-religion in Korea, this one delves into Japan, which boasts an even higher population of Atheists. Is it really so, or do cultural factors skew the data?
Is Japan really the 2nd most atheist nation?, by B. T. Newberg
Appearing Sunday, March 10th, 2013
Recent Work
HP: Our maturing tree, by B. T. Newberg
Buy Godless Paganism (paperback)
Buy Godless Paganism (ebook)
Pagan Coming Out Day – May 2nd
Naturalistic Paganism 