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Paganism : a Very Short Introduction by Owen Davies is a history book available to read on EtoBox.

What is Paganism : a Very Short Introduction about?

<br> "Paganism" is an evocative word that even today conjures up deep-seated emotions and prejudices. Until recently, it was primarily a derogatory term used by Christians to describe the non-Christian cultures vanquished by their churches. For some it evokes images of sacrifice and barbaric behavior, while for others it symbolizes a peace-loving, nature-worshipping spiritual relationship with the earth. Written in a concise and lively style, this Very Short Introduction explores the meaning of the words "pagan" and "paganism"--through a chronological overview of the attitudes towards its practices and beliefs--from the ancient world through to the present day. Owen Davies looks at paganism largely through the eyes of the Christian world, describing how, over the centuries, notions and representations of paganism were shaped by religious conflict, power struggles, colonialism, and scholarship. Although the emphasis is on the experience of paganism in Europe, Davies also discusses how the idea of paganism spread around the globe as Europe came into contact with new cultures through colonial expansion, missionary work, and anthropological study.

Who reads Paganism : a Very Short Introduction?

Author

Owen Davies

Publisher

IRL Press at Oxford University Press

Published

2011

Language

EN

ISBN

9780199235162

Category

history

Subjects

Fiction, Reference, Religion

Rating

3.7 / 5 (67 ratings)

Updated

2026-03-14