Paganistan - a moniker adapted by the Twin Cities Contemporary Pagan community - is the title of a history and ethnography of a regionally unique, urban, and vibrant community in Minnesota. The story of the community traces the formation of some of the earliest organizations and churches in the US, the influence of publication houses and bookstores, the marketplace, and the local University, on the growth and sustenance of a distinct Pagan community identity, as well as discussions of the patterns of diversifying and cohesion that occur as a result of societal pressure, politics, and generational growth within it. As the first ever study of this long-lived community, this book sets out to document Paganistan as another aspect of the increasing prevalence of Paganism in the US and contributes to the discussion of the formation of new American religious communities. Revealing how canonical theories about community formation in anthropology do not always fit comfortably nor accurately describe how a vibrant Pagan community creates and sustains itself, this book will be of interest to scholars of religion and new religious movements worldwide, and offers a valuable contribution to discussions within both urban anthropology and sociology.

The history of any religious movement can get murky. But the history of American Paganism--with so many invented lineages, so many solitary practitioners, so much resistance to staid definition, so much hiddenness--is especially hard to decipher. But here in Her Hidden Children Chas Clifton tells many never-before-told stories of the origins of Paganism and Wicca in the United States. The people, publications, and organizations that allowed Paganism and Wicca to set roots down in American soil and become "nature religion" are revealed in delicious detail. With a timeline, glossary, and photos of important figures, Her Hidden Children is compelling and important for any student of Paganism or American Religion.

Paganistan - a moniker adapted by the Twin Cities Contemporary Pagan community - is the title of a history and ethnography of a regionally unique, urban, and vibrant community in Minnesota. The story of the community traces the formation of some of the earliest organizations and churches in the US, the influence of publication houses and bookstores, the marketplace, and the local University, on the growth and sustenance of a distinct Pagan community identity, as well as discussions of the patterns of diversifying and cohesion that occur as a result of societal pressure, politics, and generational growth within it. As the first ever study of this long-lived community, this book sets out to document Paganistan as another aspect of the increasing prevalence of Paganism in the US and contributes to the discussion of the formation of new American religious communities. Revealing how canonical theories about community formation in anthropology do not always fit comfortably nor accurately describe how a vibrant Pagan community creates and sustains itself, this book will be of interest to scholars of religion and new religious movements worldwide, and offers a valuable contribution to discussions within both urban anthropology and sociology.

The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements both covers the current state of the field and breaks new ground. Its contributors, drawn form both sociology and religious studies, are leading figures in the study of NRMs.

Contemporary Paganism is a movement that is still young and establishing its identity and place on the global religious landscape. The members of the movement are simultaneously growing, unifying, and maintaining its characteristic diversity of traditions, identities, and rituals. The modern Pagan movement has had a restless formation period but has also been the catalyst for some of the most innovative religious expressions, praxis, theologies, and communities. As Contemporary Paganism continues to grow and mature, new angles of inquiry about it have emerged and are explored in this collection. This examination and study of contemporary Paganism contributes new ways to observe and examine other religions, where innovations, paradoxes, and inconsistencies can be more accurately documented and explained.

This first book-length study of religious schisms as a general phenomenon draws widely from different traditions and geographical areas.

Where is peace and joy in this hour in time? What is safe to seek and find? Why is every worthy thought, word, and deed so difficult to sustain? What is absolute? Why is the media, the Church, the arts and entertainment, business, religions, the family, education, and the government so chaotic? Who is in charge? Jezebel is. Why? Because God's people are silent. The original Jezebel lived in the ninth century B.C. as queen and wife of the dissenting King Ahab. Her pagan ways linger into every generation, hovering over everything father and mother, pastor, educator, and government. Few are spared her intrusions, especially the highly educated who lean on their own knowledge, those in positions of authority and power, and those practicing spiritism. Jezebel threatens every body, mind, and spirit, even the best of Christians, placing residency in Heaven at stake. It is time to come against what comes against God's very good people. She intimidates in order to manipulate, in order to dominate. Identify her powers and principalities, her philosophies and practices within secular humanism, Eastern mysticism, and the occult. Warriors against Jezebel are taught, led, comforted, guided, and protected by the Holy Spirit of God, who provides the strategies and powerful weapons to use in this spiritual battle. Be assured, those aware of the differences between Jezebel's ways and God's order win the war. The Satan-Jezebel-spirit uses terrorism to cause fear and submission. It is Satan at work with his original intent to be like God-in charge. Fight! Stop this evil! Where to start? Start with the heart, where God's Truth is written. The joy of the Lord is your strength. The war is worthy. In faith, hope and love, proceed to the frontlines to fight for and uphold the Absolute Truth. "Jezebel, we know where you are." Learn what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the worthless ways of dissenters. "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8)