User:Leon2008cheng/Earth religion

Popular culture

Current: Although the idea of earth religion has been around for thousands of years, it did not fully show up in popular culture until the early 1990s. The X-Files was one of the first nationally broadcast television programs to air witchcraft and Wicca (types of earth religion) content. On average, Wiccans - those who practice Wicca - were more or less pleased with the way the show had portrayed their ideals and beliefs. However, they still found it to be a little "sensationalistic". That same year, the movie The Craft was released - also depicting the art of Wicca. Unfortunately, this cinematic feature was not as happily accepted as The X-Files had been.[10]

A few years later, programs showcasing the aforementioned religious practices - such as Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer - became widely popular. Although Charmed focused mostly on witchcraft, the magic they practiced very closely resembled Wicca. Meanwhile, Buffy was one of the first shows to actually cast a Wiccan character. However, since the shows focus was primarily on vampires, the Wiccan was depicted as having supernatural powers, rather than being in-tuned with the Earth.[10]

Other movies and shows throughout the last few decades have also been placed under the genre of Earth Religion. Among them are two of director Hayao Miyazaki's most well known films - Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro. Both movies present human interaction with land, animal, and other nature spirits. Speakers for Earth Religion have said that these interactions suggest overtones of Earth Religion themes.[11]

Some popular Disney movies have also been viewed as Earth Religion films. Among them are The Lion King and Brother Bear. Those who practice Earth Religion view The Lion King as an Earth Religion film mainly for the "interconnectedness" and "Circle of Life" it shows between the animals, plants, and life in general. When that link is broken, viewers see chaos and despair spread throughout the once bountiful land. Congruently, Brother Bear portrays interactions and consequences when humans disobey or go against the animal and Earth spirits.[11]

Other earth religion movies include The 13th Warrior, The Deceivers (film), Sorceress (1982 film), Anchoress (film), Eye of the Devil, Agora (film), and The Wicker Man (1973 film). These movies all contain various aspects of earth religion and nature worship in general.[11]

Modified/Addition: Although the idea of earth religion has been around for thousands of years, its presence in popular culture became more pronounced in the early 1990s. "The X-Files" was one of the first nationally broadcast television programs to air witchcraft and Wicca (types of earth religion) content, particularly in episodes like "Die Hand Die Verletzt" and "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose". On average, Wiccans—those who practice Wicca—were more or less pleased with the way the show had portrayed their ideals and beliefs, though they found it to be a little "sensationalistic". That same year, the movie "The Craft" was released, also depicting the art of Wicca. Unlike "The X-Files", this cinematic feature faced mixed reviews from the Earth Religion community due to its sensationalized portrayal of witchcraft.[10]

A few years later, programs such as "Charmed" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" became widely popular, further introducing audiences to Earth Religion themes. "Charmed", although focused mostly on witchcraft, portrayed magic that closely resembled Wiccan practices. Meanwhile, "Buffy" was notable for casting a Wiccan character, Willow Rosenberg, albeit within a fantastical context given the show's focus on vampires.[10]

The genre of Earth Religion in popular culture expanded with films by director Hayao Miyazaki, like "Princess Mononoke" and "My Neighbor Totoro", which delve into human interaction with nature spirits. These films were lauded for their respectful and intricate depiction of Earth Religion themes, both in Japan and internationally.[10]

Disney films such as "The Lion King" and "Brother Bear" have also been identified with Earth Religion themes due to their exploration of the "interconnectedness" and "Circle of Life" between animals, plants, and life in general. These films illustrate the consequences when the harmony between humans and nature is disrupted, resonating with Earth Religion principles.

Other films like "The 13th Warrior", "The Deceivers", "Sorceress" (1982), "Anchoress", "Eye of the Devil", "Agora", and "The Wicker Man" (1973) have also explored earth religion and nature worship. Each film, with its unique narrative and setting, contributes to the diverse portrayal of Earth Religion in popular culture.[11] For instance, the religious aspect in "The Deceivers" is primarily embodied by the Thuggee cult's worship of the goddess Kali, a deity in Hinduism. Although Kali worship is a part of Hindu tradition, the portrayal in the movie is associated with violence, robbery, and ritualistic murders carried out by the Thuggee cult, which is far from a representation of Earth religion or a reverence for nature​​. Moreover, the Thuggees' criminal activities and the religious fanaticism depicted in the movie serve as a plot device to drive the narrative forward, rather than an exploration or demonstration of Earth religion​​. The focus of "The Deceivers" lies more on the historical thriller aspect, religious fanaticism, and the moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist, rather than on exhibiting practices or ideologies typically associated with Earth religion.

Similarly, online communities and social media platforms are used to discuss and spread Earth Religion ideas. By doing so, people are able to foster a global dialogue, enhancing the representation of Earth Religion in digital popular culture.

Video Games: Video games such as "The Elder Scrolls" series and "Final Fantasy" have woven Earth Religion themes into their narratives, offering players an interactive medium to explore these ideas.

Impact on Public Perception: The portrayal of Earth Religion in popular culture has played a significant role in shaping public perception. While some portrayals have been commended for their accuracy and depth, others have been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and misconceptions.

The Earth Religion Anti-Abuse Resolution (1988)

Current: The following was written by the Church of All Worlds in 1988 and was affirmed by the Pagan Ecumenical Conferences of Ancient Ways (California, May 27–30) and Pagan Spirit Gathering (Wisconsin, June 17).[28][32] The Pagan Community Council of Ohio then presented it to the Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A.[28]

"We, the undersigned, as adherents of Pagan and Old and Neo-Pagan Earth Religions, including Wicca or Witchcraft, practice a variety of positive, life affirming faiths that are dedicated to healing, both of ourselves and of the Earth. As such, we do not advocate or condone any acts that victimize others, including those proscribed by law. As one of our most widely accepted precepts is the Wiccan Rede's injunction to "harm none," we absolutely condemn the practices of child abuse, sexual abuse and any other form of abuse that does harm to the bodies, minds or spirits of the victims of such abuses. We recognize and revere the divinity of Nature in our Mother the Earth, and we conduct our rites of worship in a manner that is ethical, compassionate and constitutionally protected. We neither acknowledge or worship the Christian devil, "Satan," who is not in our Pagan pantheons. We will not tolerate slander or libel against our Temples, clergy or Temple Assemblers and we are prepared to defend our civil rights with such legal action as we deem necessary and appropriate."[28][30][32][33]

Modified/Addition: In 1988, a significant resolution titled the Earth Religion Anti-Abuse Resolution was drafted and approved by various Pagan communities to address concerns of abuse and misrepresentation. This resolution was initially penned by the Church of All Worlds and later garnered approval from the Pagan Ecumenical Conferences of Ancient Ways (held in California from May 27 to May 30) and the Pagan Spirit Gathering (held in Wisconsin on June 17). Following these affirmations, the Pagan Community Council of Ohio presented the resolution to the Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A., further solidifying its acceptance within the broader Pagan community​[28][32]​.

The text of the resolution reads as follows:

"We, the undersigned, as adherents of Pagan and Old and Neo-Pagan Earth Religions, including Wicca or Witchcraft, practice a variety of positive, life-affirming faiths that are dedicated to healing, both of ourselves and of the Earth. As such, we do not advocate or condone any acts that victimize others, including those proscribed by law. One of our most widely accepted precepts is the Wiccan Rede's injunction to "harm none," and thus, we vehemently condemn practices of child abuse, sexual abuse, and any other form of abuse that inflicts harm on the bodies, minds, or spirits of the victims. We recognize and revere the divinity of Nature in our Mother the Earth, and we conduct our rites of worship in a manner that is ethical, compassionate, and constitutionally protected. Contrary to misconceptions, we neither acknowledge nor worship the Christian devil, "Satan," as he is not a part of our Pagan pantheons. We strongly oppose slander or libel against our Temples, clergy, or Temple Assemblers and are prepared to defend our civil rights through legal action as deemed necessary and appropriate."​[28][30][32][33]

This resolution was a significant step towards addressing and condemning abusive practices while also aiming to dispel common misconceptions and stereotypes associated with Earth Religions, particularly Wicca and Witchcraft. It also highlighted the collective stance of the Pagan community against abuse and their commitment to ethical and compassionate practices.

Core Beliefs and Practices(new section)

1. Veneration of Nature:
   • Earth-centered religions or nature worship are systems of religion based on the veneration of natural phenomena, including the earth, nature, and fertility deities​.
   • The veneration of the planet and nature has been integral to various religions and spiritual practices throughout history. Adherents to earth religions subscribe to a belief system based on the preservation and reverence for natural phenomena​.
2. Diversity of Beliefs and Practices:
   • Earth Religion encompasses a range of groups and beliefs such as paganism (a polytheistic, nature-based religion), animism (the worldview that all living entities possess a spirit), Wicca (which holds the concept of an earth mother goddess and practices ritual magic), and druidism (which equates divinity with the natural world)​.
3. Connection with Earth:
   • Core statements of some earth religions emphasize the connectivity humans share with the planet, declaring that "all matter, energy, and life are an interconnected unity of which we are an inseparable part" and advocate for living in harmony with nature both locally and globally​.
4. Cultural Variations:
   • The earth plays a vital role in many cultures; for example, some Voltaic peoples consider the Earth to be Heaven's wife, and their economic, social, and religious life is heavily influenced by the earth. Native American religions, such as the Peyote Religion, Longhouse Religion, and Earth Lodge Religion, also have earth-centric beliefs and practices​​.
5. Incorporation of Fertility Deities:
   • Worship of fertility gods or goddesses is a common practice within many earth religions, which often have roots in ancient goddess worship or matriarchal religions​​.
6. Environmental Stewardship:
   • Earth religions often promote practices that are aimed at preserving the earth and its ecosystems, aligning with conservationist and environmentalist principles​​.
7. Integration of Ancient and Neo-Pagan Practices:
   • Many earth religions draw from ancient pagan practices, integrating old and neo-pagan earth religions and often including a variety of life-affirming faiths dedicated to healing both individuals and the Earth​​.
8. Gaia Hypothesis Connection:
   • Some individuals find a connection between earth worship and the Gaia hypothesis, which proposes that the Earth is a self-regulating complex system​​.

* Ancient stone circles, often associated with pagan rituals.

Modern Interpretations and Movements(new section)

Wicca and Witchcraft: Modern Wicca draws heavily from ancient pagan practices, emphasizing magic, ritual, and a connection to nature3.

Druidry: Modern Druids, as described by Adler, seek to revive ancient Celtic practices, focusing on harmony with nature and ancestral veneration3.

Criticisms and Controversies(new section)

Modern Druids celebrating the summer solstice.

While many find solace and meaning in Earth religions, they are not without criticism. Some argue that modern interpretations are far removed from ancient practices, while others raise concerns about cultural appropriation2.