Editing Paganism (section)

== Perception ==
Paganism came to be equated by Christians with a sense of hedonism, representing those who are sensual, materialistic, self-indulgent, unconcerned with the future, and uninterested in more mainstream religions. Pagans were usually described in terms of this worldly [[stereotype]], especially among those drawing attention to what they perceived as the limitations of paganism.<ref>Antonio Virgili, Culti misterici ed orientali a Pompei, Roma, Gangemi, 2008</ref> Thus [[G. K. Chesterton]] wrote: "The {{sic|hide=y|reason=Chesterton used "pagan", lower case; verified with source.|pagan}} set out, with admirable sense, to enjoy himself. By the end of his civilization he had discovered that a man cannot enjoy himself and continue to enjoy anything else."<ref>''[[Heretics (book)|Heretics]]'', G. K. Chesterton, 2007, Hendrickson Publishers Inc., p. 88</ref> In sharp contrast, [[Swinburne]] the poet would comment on this same theme: "Thou hast conquered, O pale Galilean; the world has grown grey from thy breath; We have drunken of things Lethean, and fed on the fullness of death."<ref>'Hymn to Proserpine'</ref>