Contemporary Paganism

Minority Religions in a Majoritarian America

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by Carol Barner-Barry

Palgrave

Due/Published March 2005, 256 pages, cloth

ISBN 1403964416

This book explores the legal bias in the United States against Paganism and other non-Christian religions. Despite being one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world, the U.S. legal system developed when the population was predominantly Christian. Built into the law is the tacit assumption that all religions and religious practices resemble Christianity. Using the Pagans as a case study, Barner-Barry shows how their experiences demonstrate that both the law affecting nondominant religions and the judiciary that interprets this law are significantly biased in favor of the dominant religion, Christianity. This creates legal problems, as well as problems of intolerance, for religions with significantly different practices. Special attention is given to a series of Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Freedom of Religion Clause in terms of neutrality and interpreting the Establishment Clause loosely and its impact on nondominant religions in the US.

Contents

Introduction: Majorities, Minorities, and Religious Diversity
The Modern Pagan Movement in America
The Challenge of Christian Hegemony
Paganism as a Religion
The Other: Religious Diversity and Social Conformity
Threats, Intimidation and the Strategic Use of Fear
The Perception of Entitlement and Christian Priviledge
Majortarianism and Religion