"Christianity has made of death a terror which was unknown to the gay calmness of the Pagan"

The quote by Ouida presents an intriguing viewpoint on the contrasting views of death between Christianity and ancient Pagan traditions. Ouida suggests that Christianity has changed death into a source of fear, whereas Paganism approached it with a sense of calm acceptance.

In many Christian doctrines, death is typically related to the concepts of judgment and the afterlife, where one's everlasting fate is determined by actions and beliefs in this life. This can develop a sense of anxiety or fear about the effects of one's earthly deeds, in addition to unpredictability about what really takes place after death. The idea of paradise and hell presents an ethical dimension to death, where the stakes are limitless and everlasting. Therefore, death ends up being not merely a natural part of life however a pivotal moment with long lasting implications.

In contrast, lots of Pagan customs, as suggested by the quote, viewed death as a natural and integrated part of life. Pagan beliefs frequently consisted of a cyclical understanding of presence-- life, death, and renewal-- where death was neither an end nor a judgment but a shift. Paganism's concentrate on the cycles of nature and the interconnectedness of life might cultivate an acceptance of death as one more stage in the larger tapestry of presence. This concept likely contributed to a "gay peace", a peaceful acceptance rooted in the understanding that death is neither punitive nor last.

For that reason, Ouida's statement can be interpreted as a review of how Christian teachings may have magnified worries around death by adding layers of moral judgment and eternal effect. On the other hand, by keeping a concentrate on the natural world's rhythms and accepting death as an important stage in life's cycle, Pagans maintained a more relaxing and accepting mindset toward completion of life. This stark difference in understanding highlights the extensive influence religious narratives can have on human feelings and attitudes concerning life's supreme mysteries.