Chris Ivan Lagarde

August 13, 2009

Philosophy of Religion
Ramon Rafael Dolor

GodWomen and Religion

Paganism is an old religion practiced by ancient people. It is a goddess-centered religion.

Before other religion exists, paganism has already practiced long before. Paganism is a

polytheistic religion. It has many gods and goddesses. The reason why the paganistic religion or

the feminine concept of god sidelined in the course of history is because of the monotheistic

religion. Monotheistic religion has criticized paganism for believing in different god.

Monotheistic religion believed in only one God. The feminine concept of God was criticized. It is

because in the feminine concept of god, the social status of women in the paganistic religion is

higher than man. Women are the ruling class. Thus woman are superior to man. Women are

the one who decides who will be the king. The choice lies on the hand of women .This is the

reason why the pagans considered god as a women. But when the monotheistic religion enters

in the history namely Christianity they put negative connotation 0n paganism. They say that

paganism is a satanic. Monotheistic religion claims that there is only one God. In the

monotheistic point of view the concept of paganistic religion violates the Mosaic Law. This is

the first commandment that there should be no other God except for Jesus. Monotheism
condemned Paganism. It’s a long process before paganism has taken away. That’s why it side

lined in the course of history.

The implication of the feminine concept of god gives different view in looking at the

nature. Considered paganism as goddess centered religion it would be proper to adopt the way

paganism respect the nature. I’m not saying that we should also follow the way they worship

nature but only the way they care and value nature. Earth is our sanctuary, the salvation of

earth lies in the humankind. The way we respect nature gives value to every living creature on

earth. In paganism, the respect of nature is a very important value that should be adopted by

contemporary religion. Because it shows how should be our attitude towards nature.