I always like to start with something personal, but today my starting point is paganism, so please bear it with me!
Centuries ago, paganism was a very controversial subject, especially for Christians who believed they were meant not to be respectful toward pagan customs and beliefs. However, today there is what we call the “pagan boom.”
Recent census trends tell us that people are leaving organized religions and turning to non-traditional religions like never before. Is it because of the contradictory and conflicting ideologies or the fact that no one wants to be a part of organizations that promote discrimination of any kind? It is difficult to give a definite answer, but one thing is for sure, around 2 million American people have already identified as Wicca or Pagan.
Modern paganism is like that new fashion fad that’s here to stay. “Liberation spirituality”, as Instagram’s Erin Aquarian terms it, is much more appealing to youngsters. They believe that paganism – or neopaganism – is more inclined towards spirituality compared to Abrahamic religions. So, it’s little surprise that young people have been incorporating and enjoying the renaissance of this eclectic religious movement in their daily life, including in their homes.
Paganism in Home Décor
Paganism is indelibly linked to many traditions that still persist to this day. For example, wedding rings that we use today in church-sanctioned ceremonies have their origins back in traditional Roman and Greek customs, where the fourth finger was believed to have a vein that ran directly to the heart. Other modern things like money designs, funeral customs, knocking on wood, covering the mouth to yawn and people’s obsession with cats all come downright from pagan origins.
While many of us did these things every day, without being aware of their connection to paganism, some are “intentionally” and “willingly” decorating their home with pagan-type stuff – be it a wall-hanging bedspread, wind chimes, artwork or lightswitch cover. Lots of people, i.e., Christian people, who once would have been decorating their home in lukewarm Christian style, have now turned to gothic or witchy room décor.
I’ve had this discussion with one of the fellow members of my church when I visited her home and found an “awake-your-black-magic” art print, Wiccan wallpapers and several purple triple moon mugs. She believed that simply because something has a pagan design or origin doesn’t mean that it is sinful to use.
You see, some Christians claim that the pagan or witchy home décor is just a passing trend that we cannot avoid, while others say that it’s time for Christians to allow some diversity on these issues. A small line can be drawn but we should be more liberal compared to Christians from Early Ages.
I don’t know what the world expects from us, but I do know what God expects from His children. So, let’s find out together:
“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations.”
-From Deuteronomy 18:9
“You shall not behave thus toward the Lord your God, for every abominable act which the Lord hates they have done for their gods…”
– From Deuteronomy 12:31
“He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the Lord alone, shall be utterly destroyed.”
– From Exodus 22:20
“Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
– From Revelation 22:15
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries… How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? “
– From Hebrews 10:26-31
From these Biblical scriptures, I guess it’s clear where and how the line should be drawn.
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