Vatican astronomer Guy Consolmagno gave an interview RPCV Kenya in 2006 in which he stated “Religion needs science to keep it away from superstition and keep it close to reality, to protect it from creationism, which at the end of the day is a kind of paganism - it’s turning God into a nature god. And science needs religion in order to have a conscience, to know that, just because something is possible, it may not be a good thing to do.” His interview was picked up by the newspaper the Scotsman which has since been pulled form online publication. You can read the Peace Corps report excerpt on the story here.

Brother Consolmagno since working through the Vatican observatory in Arizona has been witness to the religious climate in America where some groups are trying to force Creationism over evolution in public schools. Since his 2006 interview he has traveled the world informing people that taking the Bible literally is not what religion is about.

In an interview this year at the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco for ForaTV he stated that the Bible was not meant to be taken literally. The Book of Genesis he says should be taken more in the way that the Iliad was taken, as a poem of metaphor and similes. His comments on literalism stemmed from doing a Bible study with astronauts in Texas. One of the students came to him saying that he takes the Book of Genesis literally to which Consolmagno’s response was “Have you actually read Genesis?”

When interviewed for Astrobiology Magazine on why the Vatican funds his work he says that “There’s a political reason. It’s a simple one, that they want the world to know that the Church isn’t afraid of science, that they like science, that science is great, this is our way of seeing how God created the universe, and they want to make as strong a statement as possible that truth doesn’t contradict truth, that if you have faith, then you’re not going to ever be afraid of what science is going to come up with. Because it’s true.”

What Brother Consolmagno sees as the problem in today’s culture of keeping science and religion separate is as he states “The religious fundamentalists, basically, are scared that they don’t have faith, which is why they cling so tightly to what little they’ve got. The science fundamentalists, I think some of them just want to be taken seriously as scientists and they think, well I have to show that I’ve rejected anything else.”

What strikes me as the most interesting about Brother Consolmagno is that though he is a religious man he is an active scientist who believes that it is our species job to explore the universe. He also believes that there is more intelligent life out there yet to be discovered. And most importantly he does not see Catholicism as the one true religion, he see all religions as valid.

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The complete works of Charles Darwin — a god among scientists and the bane of every creationist’s existence – are finally available for anyone, anywhere to read. And it only took 126 years and another scientific revolution to make it happen.

Read full article here….

Due to an intense weekend of earthquake activity and just trying to catch up with all that is going on at the moment, I decided to include a link to an article. I’m really excited about being able to read Darwin online

I will continue tomorrow with the regular content of this blog.

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Pagan schools are rapidly developing all over the United States in response to the growing popularity of Paganism. Some of these schools are legitimate places of education while others are based solely on profit. One should keep in mind that though the basic tenant of Paganism is the acknowledgment for an individual to find their own spiritual path there are groups out there, as is any religious grouping, that will teach based only certain spiritual paths.

There are many things that one should take into consideration when applying to a Pagan educational program. You should first do has much research and study on your own of the path in which you feel is right for you. You should research the credibility and history of the educational programs that you are looking into. Many, not all, Pagan educational programs can be learned on ones own without the expense of applying to a school. Look at all the courses that are offered and learn about the teacher’s teaching them. Think about the time line for each course taught and see if it will fit with your schedule. Also, take into consideration the difference between your need for a mentor and your need for traditional Pagan schooling. Most Pagan religions have mentors in certain circles that regularly take on apprentices, find out if there are any in your area and weigh your options for furthering your Pagan education.

In an effort to help those who are looking for a class style Pagan education I have comprised a review of some of the current Pagan schools that exist.

Avalon Center for Druidic Studies: They are both an online and off line school in the process of building a campus and gaining full accreditation. Their various courses offer a Bachelor of Druidic Arts ( B.D.A.), Master of Bardic Arts (M.B.A.), Master of Arts in Ovate Studies (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy in Druidic Studies (Ph.D.). Their admissions process is like that of your regular colleges. For more information visit www.avaloncollege.org

The College of The Sacred Mists: This is an online school that teaches Wiccan courses in the Sacred Mists tradition. Classes consist of studying to attain the three degrees offered in their own tradition and require a study commitment time of a year and a day for each degree. Some courses are only for those who are of the Sacred Mists Wiccan tradition. For more information visit www.workingwitches.com

The Pagan Online Campus: A free online school taught by teachers of various Pagan faiths who donate their time. Course schedules are run based on regular semester guidelines. The Pagan Online Campus is a legally incorporated non-profit institution. For more information visit www.thepagancampus.net

Witch School: An online Wiccan school. They teach the Correllian Wiccan tradition in three degrees and offer courses in general Pagan history. Keep in mind that all courses are taught from a Correllian Wiccan view point and that some courses are free and others are by tuition only. For more information visit:www.witchschool.com

Cherry Hill Seminary: A professional Pagan clergy institution, they offer courses in both the lay and ministry track for Pastoral Counseling and hold to a standard admissions process. This school is good for those in the Pagan community who wish to attain certification as Pagan Clergy. They teach from all Pagan faiths and the seminary is located in Bethel, VT. For more information visit www.cherryhillseminary.org

The Crossroads Lyceum College of Isis: Part of the Fellowship of Isis this is a correspondence school that teaches the Fellowship of Isis tradition and Goddess centered spirituality. They offer two programs of Priesthood training within the Fellowship of Isis tradition. For more information visit www.crlyceum.com

Goddess Moon Circles Academy: A private school for Pagan children grades K-12. Part of the surge in the home schooling movement the academy runs through the regular school year and offers a standard course curriculum in addition to faith based schooling. This is an alternative to sending Pagan kids to private Christian schools. For more information visit www.goddessmooncirclesacademy.org

It is important to understand that even though there are many groups who may call themselves schools or colleges of Witchcraft and or Paganism they mainly teach from the point of view of their own spiritual path. Most of the ongoing study needed to further a Pagan education can be done and in most cases should be done on your own. What is important to your personal spiritual path may be completely different from someone else’s so keep in mind if you do chose to join or participate in any Pagan learning program that what is taught is not what you must follow.

Another thing to take into consideration is melding of many traditions taught as one. For example if you jump into a school that claims to teach general Paganism through three degrees and you are unaware that the three degrees relates to mainly Wicca and not general Paganism as a whole then later on down the line you may run into to quite a bit of confusion.

My suggestion to anyone who wishes to choose a certain path is to educate themselves on all Pagan religions before hand that way when you are taught a discrepancy in paths you will know where it originated.

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