By: How Useful Is Paganism? « WiccanWeb

How Useful Is Paganism? « WiccanWeb — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:01:40 +0000

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By: Jennifer Tavernier

Jennifer Tavernier — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 05:34:41 +0000

Out where I am – (US, (Reno – smallish town) Nv currently) – Pagan actually seems to be a comfortable and agreed overall term, for those following many paths, but is accepted as clearly delineating one who is not engaged with the concept of the Christian God/connotations, or the style of churchgoing/services. In fact, it has gotten a bit desensitized, and not as volatile anymore when using the term is “mixed” company. “Oh – you are a pagan? First assumption then is; you are a : witch, wiccan, druid, Native Amerind follower, eco-freak, tree hugger, agnostic, etc. or simply, one of those neo-fringe because you haven’t found your way yet. – but not received with the same rancor that one used to get. It simply has become “other”. The nice part, is those on different paths all seem to recognize each other, and don’t feel it necessary to pry to find out exactly what. We just nod at each other, and smile. If there are questions, then it is usually a one on one exchange, whoever gets asked, if they accept and choose to answer about their own personal beliefs.
Sounds unreal, doesn’t it?lol! but there is an unspoken code it seems, of – don’t argue or judge.
But I guess I have been fortunate to find or tread amongst the right wavelengths. However, as far as one tacit “just nod & smile” agreement we all share here, is for those who are “playing” at being of the pagan ilk. (choose your path, as in Twilight, goth, vampirella, faux Crowley, etc etc etc. Lots of babble, no understanding) – and like kids, are generally not at the point they are really asking questions, nor are they up to listening, and so we just leave them be, without getting into it. I think many go through the Goth/Vampire/Twilight mode, and simply need to get it out of their systems. (LOL here – remember! You are special and unique! Just like everyone else!) They do make it easy to spot, only because they are busy asserting loudly. Those in social situations, comfortable with their paths, and living them, well, you might never know you are sitting next to a priestess of Bast – etc. Many of the other pathers I know here, are recognizable by what they DON’T say. However, there is a twinkle there, and they tend to have much more interest in creative endeavors.
But the end all sum up, is that pagan is indeed a useful overall word. And we all wink about it, and get on with life -

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 01:37:38 +0000

I applaud this. Having an environment of respect and understanding is vital.

By: corvusrouge

corvusrouge — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 16:34:05 +0000

Paganism is a useful term as a starter point from which to start to develop. Unfortunately the “sound bite” culture prevelent today can sometimes make for a shallow learning curve.

By: Alex Jones

Alex Jones — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 10:21:37 +0000

You touch on a subject I have often thought about. I am a Luciferian, and many of us have a lot in common with Druid outlooks. Labels can create separation, but sometimes that separation is a good idea to keep out the stupid and the hater.

The Druid is going to be a specialist group, and being dumped into an abstract label of “pagan” fails to reflect what they are.

Comments on: How useful is paganism?

By: How Useful Is Paganism? « WiccanWeb

By: Jennifer Tavernier

By: Anne

By: corvusrouge

By: Alex Jones