Religion Past and Present

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Neo-Paganism
(1,580 words)

[German Version]

The most recent phase of paganism, the anti- and a-Christian religious reception of ancient and non-European religions, may be called neo-paganism. It began around the mid-20th century, drawing on 19th-century predecessors (Romanticism, F. Nietzsche, Life Reform movement). Neo-paganism is characterized by the fact that its members turn the negative stereotype “heathen” into a positive self-image, developing a religious role as “new pagans,” and appearing in public to an unprecedented extent.

Although 20th-century neo-paganism has roots in the tradit…

Cite this page
Mohr, Hubert, “Neo-Paganism”, in: Religion Past and Present. Consulted online on 28 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_SIM_024061>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004146662, 2006-2013



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