Just out of curiosity to any pagans who might be here: is “magic” supposed to always work, or is it like prayer and can get a “yes” or “no” answer from the deities invoked?
Because if it’s the former this should be a very interesting experiment. Though I’m not sure even the average god is powerful enough to destroy “The Simpsons.”
From the sound of it, this sounds like it’s more of a historical landmark than a specifically “pagan” thing (if I’m reading this right), so maybe this was accidental. In any event, with or without divine aid, Homer will be gone soon.
God bless.

“Just out of curiosity to any pagans who might be here: is “magic” supposed to always work, or is it like prayer and can get a “yes” or “no” answer from the deities invoked?”
Before answering your question, I think it’s important to clarify a few points. First, “pagan” and “magic” need to be kept in mind as distinctly separate concepts. Every religion that I know of has a magical tradition either at its core or at its fringe. Not all “pagans” practice magic, just as not all Christians do. It’s true that magic is often more widely accepted and practiced within (some) pagan traditions, but it is by no means universal.
Second, “pagan” is a very nebulous term that encompasses a wide variety of religious and spiritual expressions, both historically and in modern times. As such, there can be no single “pagan perspective” from which to answer your question.
Having laid that groundwork, I’m afraid the answer to your question is that it depends largely on which definition you’re working from. “Magic” is even harder to define than “pagan.” However, as most commonly practiced, particularly among the various (neo)-Pagan traditions sympathetic to the group described in this article, it is generally acknowledged that magic does not always work.

Exactly when did society decide that snotty arrogance is fine as long as it insults the sincerely held beliefs of nice people? This sets a new standard in sorriness.

It was a poor decision by the publicity folks for the Simpson movie, to chalk in Homer next to the Cerne Abbas giant. I’m sure it is not aesthethically pleasing. Fortunately they had the good sense to use biodegradable paint, and I can hope that it rains,hard, soon.
It was just as disrespectable putting Homer next to a religious symbol for the Pagans as it would be have been putting him next to a crucifix or a cross or a BVM statue or another religious symbol, IMO.

“It was just as disrespectable putting Homer next to a religious symbol for the Pagans as it would be have been putting him next to a crucifix or a cross or a BVM statue or another religious symbol, IMO.”
I would tend to agree. However, as I understand the history of the Cerne Abbas giant, it dates back to Christian times and has only come to be revered by “pagans” in the modern world. That said, I still find the publicity stunt to be despicable not because the chalk figure is intrinsically sacred but because it is has endured the ravages of time and has insinuated itself into the cultural psyche of a people. To use the site as a vehicle for modern advertising is simply crass.

“it dates back to Christian times and has only come to be revered by “pagans” in the modern world. That said, I still find the publicity stunt to be despicable not because the chalk figure is intrinsically sacred but because it is has endured the ravages of time and has insinuated itself into the cultural psyche of a people.”
This brings up an interesting question, what is “intrinsically sacred”? Surely, it must rest in the eye of the beholder. Most Christians would hold a cross or a Bible to be sacred, while to a non-Christian is would have no meaning at all. The same thing can be said of any spiritual symbol held to be sacred by any group of people. Longevity or pedigree doesn’t seem to apply in this case. Showing disrespect to anyone’s sacred objects reflects poorly on those showing the disrespect. It would only seem to be good manners to avoid giving offense.

In case you haven’t seen the giant, here’s a picture:
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/majorsites/cerne_abbass.html

OK, I’ll admit it – I am a Simpsons fan. In fact I have pulled together Youth group curriculae and retreats for middle schoolers based on the Simpsons. I have read and used Pikney’s “The Gospel According to the Simpsons” and “The Philosophy of the Simpsons” by -author unsure-. So, I would be honored and glad to have Homer drawn in bio-degradable stuff on our church driveway or lawn. Actually I would prefer to have Lisa out there, in that represents more of what our congregation represents. (We also have many Linuses from Peanuts, but they are about 35 years apart in age from Lisa, so its not likely to work. But that’s off the subject)
Disrespectful – O’ sure probably. But, that was the point so getting upset simply feeds the need of the publicity hounds. Saying you LOVE it would defeat them. If Homer were drawn in St Peter’s Square or outside the Forbidden City, I am sure other folks would get rattled. Its a cartoon and it will wash away like a temporary tattoo. Think of the renewed interest in the Giant!
There is so much more to get upset about. Meanwhile, I’ve just found my Big Box O Chalk and I’m gon’na head outside and do a little drawing in the driveway.

I’m not a Simpsons fan, never could stand the show, but I love the drawing! The pagans have had it coming for a long time.

“If Homer were drawn in St Peter’s Square or outside the Forbidden City, I am sure other folks would get rattled. Its a cartoon and it will wash away like a temporary tattoo.”
It’s not crass because it’s Homer Simpson. It’s crass because it’s an inappropriate place to advertise commercial products, in this case a movie. People do not travel from around the world in order to see a hill turned into a temporary billboard. For the record, I find those who press advertisements into public beaches equally reprehensible. Corporations should not have the right to turn every available space into a marketing campaign, especially not sites of religious, historical or geographic importance. To paint golden arches spanning the height of the Grand Canyon would no doubt generate attention. It would also rob those who visit of the very reason they went there to begin with. No matter how ephemeral the advertising, most who travel to a place at a given time do so as their only opportunity. Why should their experience be spoiled forever to line the pockets of a bloated corporation?
“Think of the renewed interest in the Giant!”
I’m pretty sure the Giant was in no danger of fading to obscurity.

“I’m not a Simpsons fan, never could stand the show, but I love the drawing! The pagans have had it coming for a long time.”
And what, exactly, have Pagans done to “have it coming for a long time?” Just as importantly, what about all the non-Pagans who visit the site annually? What have they done to warrant having what is likely, for most, to be their only opportunity to see this ancient site spoiled for crass advertising?
For the record, I love the Simpsons. This, however, was in exceptionally poor taste.

Temporarily defacing a historical landmark (by adding something else next to it) for commercial purposes is pretty disgusting. The same thing could have easily been accomplished with a movie poster, in which case, it would have been funny.

Chuck,
In what way have pagans “had it coming”? That makes no sense.
Tysson,
Yes the world is getting over commercialized. At least this was bio-degradable (unlike a suggested poster, which would leave a residue and poster shreds for a long time). Could they have done something more apporpriate? Sure. I think thsidewalk in front of Buckigham Palace would have been better. (But I think there is more security there than around the Giant, whose – club – is fairly intimidating but not actually threatening) Given the Giant’s – attributes – well, I am surprised nothing has been done sooner. His – attributes – certianly seem to, well – command attention!

I would have been an “unhappy camper” if I had decided to see the Giant on a trip to England, only to find that Homer was there also. Yes, there are more important things to get upset about, as brought up by Jestrfyl. If I was a Simpson fan, I still wouldn’t have been happy to see the picture next to the Giant.

I think it is great. Fertility and stength on one side. Gluttony and sloth on the other. Yin and Yang ; )

“typo” I mean “strength”.

chuck,
WHY have “The pagans have had it coming for a long time.”???
Please explain this highly uncharitable remark. What have pagans ever done to YOU for you to be so mean?

Hey it coud have been a Duff Beer. So what is the iconic symbolism of the Doughnut? What sacramental qualities does Homer bring to the scene? How did he get into England anyway – I thought they were banned? What does Marge have to say about Cerne Abbas? Where is Bart – wait is that him skateboarding over the giant’s – hey, wait a minute – “BART!” Lisa has something to say about this, but no one is listening. Maggie is asleep in the grass and smiling quite happily.
So class, what have we learned from this? I would like 100 words comparing this intrusion into pastoral pagan peacefulness and the novel The Ugly American – due Friday by end of the day.

Oh, oh, oh! Professor Jestrfyl, can I write my essay on the juxtaposition of Homer Simpson and the Cerne Giant as it relates to Julius Evola’s “Revolt Against the Modern World?”
Please!
Sadly, there’s fertile ground (so to speak) for many such scholarly treatments. I think I’ll leave it, though, to some hapless graduate students to tackle.

Professor Jestrfyl, You gave me a good laugh on a rainy day with your last post! Thanks!
chuck, You still haven’t told us why the Pagans “had it coming”.

With all the “stuff’ going on in the world today give me a f break, its a joke, lighten up

“With all the “stuff’ going on in the world today give me a f break, its a joke, lighten up”
What you fail to realize is this “joke” and much of the “stuff” share the same root causes. It’s worth our attention.

Ditto, Tysson.