PAGAN LITERATURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (original) (raw)

Before the rise of civilization, life amidst nature was a constant struggle for survival. With the passage of time, people learned to survive in harmony with nature, taking only what was essential. Everything in nature was significant and estimable and was exalted by these Pagans in the form of folktales and folk songs. Worshipping forests, grooves, animals and streams not only created a bond between these men and their environment leading to their spiritual evolution, but also resulted in environmental conservation. It was the divine forms of nature which protected their family, farms, livestock and villages from harm and presided over their humble activities.The significance of literature can be traced back ever since Plato banished poets from his imaginary Republic for encouraging effeminacy through their poems. Since literature plays a pivotal role in shaping reality, this paper is an attempt to show how various forms of Pagan Literature contributed in increasing the levels of sensitivity and respect amongst people for their environment. It also examines the rise of Neo-Pagan cults and explores the possibility of a different world, had Paganism been practised as a way of life today by the majority of world population.