Christo-Paganism is a syncretic new religious movement defined by the combination of Christian and neopagan practices and beliefs.

A Celtic cross with a pentacle within, representing Christo-Paganism

Beliefs and practices

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Christo-Paganism is a set of beliefs held by some neopagans that encompasses Christian teachings. Christo-Pagans may identify as witches,[1][2] druids,[3][4] or animists.[5] Most, but not all, worship the Christian God.[1] Some Christo-Pagans may consider the Virgin Mary to be a goddess, or a form of the Goddess.[1][6][7][8] Christo-Pagans typically believe in the divinity of Jesus, and that Christian and neopagan beliefs are not mutually exclusive.[3][9][10] Some Christians who convert to neopaganism are hesitant to entirely give up their original faiths, and become Christo-Pagans.[11]

Some Christo-Pagans use rosaries and prayer beads,[2] and pray to non-Christian deities, such as Persephone.[7][8] Some may also practice ceremonial magic or magick.[2][10] There are Christian priests who identify as Christo-Pagan.[3][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Do Pagans Believe in God?". Learn Religions. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  2. ^ a b c "11 Simple Christopagan Rituals". Angelorum Tarot. 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  3. ^ a b c ""Jesus Christ is my chief Druid": meet the Anglican Priest who is also a pagan". cbc.ca. Feb 23, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Pagan priest challenging peoples' opinions on gender, religion and 'bi-spirituality'". cbc.ca. Oct 13, 2019.
  5. ^ Cutler, Andrew J. (23 January 2022). "A Commentary on Mark Wallace's When God Was a Bird".
  6. ^ Romanoff, Katia (2016-12-08). "Christo-Pagan Info & the Christian Goddess". Seminary. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  7. ^ a b "Pagans pick up the rosary". Chicago Tribune. 2007-04-25. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  8. ^ a b "'Hail Persephone': Pagans Retool the Rosary". Religion News Service. 2007-04-11. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  9. ^ "ANALYSIS: 'Pagan' is getting a makeover. Not everyone got the memo". Washington Post. 2023-05-17. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  10. ^ a b "Can You Be a Christian Pagan?". Rachel Anne Williams. 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  11. ^ "Dueling beliefs?". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved 2023-10-27.

Further reading

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  • Higginbotham, Joyce; Higginbotham, River (2009). ChristoPaganism: An Inclusive Path. Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 978-0738714677.
  • Townsend, Mark. (2012). Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ. Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 978-0738731650.
  • Wallace, Mark I. (2019). When God was a bird: Christianity, animism, and the re-enchantment of the world. Groundworks: ecological issues in philosophy and theology. New York, NY: Fordham University Press. ISBN 978-0-8232-8131-2.