The Origins of Modern Paganism

This lecture provides a deeper exploration of Paganism, beginning with its roots in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and the question of how ancient paganism was regarded then. It considers the mainstream views of ancient paganism in that period, which veered between regarding it as a religion of ignorance, tyranny and bloodshed, and one of great artistic and literary achievements that prepared the way for Christianity. It then shows how new ideas about it developed amongst radicals, preserving the admiration for ancient paganism’s accomplishments while throwing away the caveats.