I found more differences between christianity and Paganism: permanence and hierarchy.
I often think of the injustice of referring to individuals as "created by god." We were not made; we were born. I realized that this is one more part of christians seeking permanence. When my Grandma Z. died, I noted that the womb that carried four people into the world was now gone. When your mother dies, the portal that brought you to life disappears. However, in christianspeak, god makes you. God the maker is always there whether your mother is alive or passed on. The theme of permanence also extends into death. Whether you go to heaven or hell, you are there forever. Even purgatory is somewhat permanent because there really can't be an easy way to tell if someone's there or how long or when they've moved on. Christians also seem to wish for a permanence in weather--always sunny, not too hot or too cold.
I understand that the hope of stability is what underlies the search for permanence, but it remains contrary to nature and therefore to Paganism. Christians still say, "From dust and back to dust," but when the body's in a casket, the nutrients can't actually return to the soil. The body breaks down, but the elements aren't contributing to the ecosystem. Everything in nature is cyclical and for the most part necessary for continuation of the planet. People may complain about rain, but without it, vegetation dies and we soon follow. Whereas jehovah is only ever referred to as the father, the goddess is mother, sister, grandmother, and friend.
The christian hierarchy has god on top then men then women then animals. Everyone has power over someone else. Everyone has someone to look to for orders. In paganism, everyone and everything is equal. The goddess is not there to be worshiped and followed but to learn from and admire. In christianity, God seems to have created people in his physical image but denied his divine wisdom. What I love about Paganism is that each person is encouraged and expected to empower themselves and others. When we approach the divine, it is not with fear but with reverence and an eagerness to share their power/knowledge/insight.
