### Title
**<b>Pre or Trans? A Pagan Identity Crisis**
### Inspired By
[Bart's past, present, future post](http://humanisticpaganism.com/2015/06/30/honoring-the-past-living-in-the-present-shaping-the-future-by-bart-everson/) and conversations with John Halstead.
### Intro
In this post I suggest that much of the conflict that occurs around what is and is not Paganism can be explained by the pre/trans fallacy as [articulated by American philosopher Ken Wilber](https://www.integrallife.com/video/pre-trans-fallacy).
Ask a collection of Pagans what defines paganism and prepare to encounter a wide range of responses. Some will point to counter-cultural impulsiveness and hedonism. Others to the retro-romantic fantasy and dress up that are common at Ren fairs and SCA tournaments. Still others allow only devotion to pre-rational polytheistic deities as "true paganism." I resonate with pagans whose core tradition embraces naturalistic philosophy, ethical humanism, and an eco-planetary perspective.
Despite the similar appearence of rituals and other behaviors, these different definitions of Paganism grow out of mutually repulsive values foundations. These fundamental differences sometimes lead to heated exchanges about what is and is not truly Pagan.
### Pagan Illustrations of the Pre/Trans Fallacy
To illustrate the pre/trans fallacy and how it applies to Paganism, consider expressions of Paganism that are pre-rational, pre-personal, and pre-conventional. In the non-dualistic pre-personal state we do not distinguish where we end and where the world begins. We can describe this undifferentiated state as "fused". Conventional prescribed and proscribed behaviors are seen as stifling and coercive. The mantra is "sure, so long as no one gets hurt."
In the dualistic differentiation state that develops out of the pre-differentiation state we observe and emphasize boundaries between ourselves and the rest of the world. We become self-aware and gain the ability to pro-actively choose our path via the dualistic thinking that characterizes the differentiation state. The differentiation state also unfortunately gives rise to the notions of sin and suffering as the result of our separation from God. The differentiation state is the dominant paradigm and has been for a long time. It is exemplified by Abrahamic religions and reductionist science.
It's