The New Paganism

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 21, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 15.

Cardinal Basilio Pompili, vicar-general of Rome, in his pastoral letter denouncing the modern forms of dance, urges courageous action "in defending the sanctity of Christian usages against the dangers threatening and the overwhelming immorality of the new paganism." One of the worst and cruelest forms of paganism was that which was manifested under the guise of Christianity during the Dark Ages; and the cardinal is quite right in warning against the new paganism that is now coming out under the blazing intellectual light of the twentieth century, and still in the guise, to a large extent, of Christianity. One of the crazes of this age is to introduce into our churches all forms of amusement, including theatrical performances, and all in order that the people may be gathered into the church; and as this is done, many people receive the mistaken notion that if they have the formalities of religion, they may go to any lengths that they please in hilarity and worldly pleasure, and still be accepted in the eternal world. God is calling for character, and for men to learn to enjoy true pleasure. We should see that the counterfeit the world presents is not in reality pleasure at all.