Word: paganization
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...political convenience, this view of Shi'ites solidified into institutionalized prejudice. Sunnis likened reverence for the Prophet's bloodline and the Shi'ites' fondness for portraits of some of the Imams to the sin of idolatry. Shi'ite rituals, especially the self-flagellation during Ashura, were derided as pagan. Many rulers forbade such ceremonies, fearing that large gatherings would quickly turn into political uprisings. (Ashura was banned during most of Saddam Hussein's rule and resumed only after his downfall in 2003.) "For Shi'ites, Sunni rule has been like living under apartheid," says Vali Nasr, senior fellow...
Mather was blazing trails. He was also (indirectly involved in) burning witches. In 1684, he published “An Essay for the Recording of Illustrious Providence,” which, among other things, defended the existence of those pagan priestesses. Although he would later question the methods of the witch trials, he would never denounce them...
...parts of the way American Christians celebrate this sacred holiday actually don’t even have any explicit connection to the birth of Jesus. Rather, traditions such as Christmas trees, Yule logs, giving and receiving gifts, and possibly even the date of December 25 itself arose out of pagan celebrations that pre-dated Christ altogether. Meanwhile the figure of Santa Claus actually arose out of a Dutch folk tale that was originally unassociated with the nativity. So much for always keeping focus strictly on the reason for the season...
Looking to take a lighthearted daytrip with the blockmates in honor of the upcoming Pagan holy day? If so, you happen to be in luck—New England contains some of the campiest Halloween entertainment in the history of ever. Witch’s Woods in Westford, Mass. features a haunted hayride, two haunted houses—a medieval castle and an abandoned mansion—and a mysterious attraction called the “3-D Keeper’s Crypt,” which the website solemnly promises will elevate visitors to “a whole...
...keep them happy.“You have to appease the river gods,” Benkreira says. “When they’re happy, we have good weather, good rowing conditions.”The best way to please these deep-sea deities, as any good pagan knows, is human sacrifice. Thus, when a mischievous or simply uninformed rower disrespects the code, the LP holds full license to toss the offender into the Charles River, temporarily assuaging the gods’ appetite, and cleansing the oarsman of his transgression.“[The river gods are] always...