Paganism misinterpretations
Nov. 30th, 2004 01:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
angelkitty101x-posted from Metrofox. I'm throwing this open to all, as I'm sure that a lot of you have opinions on this!
Recently I have been perusing the Korruption boards and came across a thread entitled 'Paganism and Wicca', now this is not unusual as there are many kiddlings who believe that being goth/alternative means you also have to be a witchypoo.
However I was shocked by what I read. Firstly the comment that Paganism was homophobic. This is blatently untrue. Paganism is one of the most accepting religions there is, in Brum, as in many other cities there is an LGBT moot, and an LGBT group. People are welcomed into paganism with open arms, whether they are pink, white, yellow or green, whether gay or straight, goth or not.
I have never, ever found it to be in any way discriminatory. There are branches of Paganism that can be seen as being 'homophobic' (eg: Odinism, which has also been accused of being close to nazism in the past). This is a comment that I found deeply offensive, and just shows how little the author knew about the 'Old Religion'
Then there was the whole rubbish about witches only able to do 'white magick'. That I'm afraid is b*llocks! Magick is neither white, black or purple. It is just that, magick! It is the intent of the person that uses it, not the magick itself.
Thirdly we have the 3 fold law bunkham. This is a purely Wiccan invention developed by Gerald Gardiner (I have this on the authority of Doreen Valiente). Yes Karma exists, yes what you send out does come back to you, but the believe that as pagans we are deserving of 3 times more than anyone else is vanity.
Also the use of the word 'Wiccan'. From my understanding (only been doing this sort of thing for 8 years, so I don't know it all) you can only call yourself 'wiccan' if you have been initated into a coven. As covens only take ppl from the age of 18 upwards, I severly doubt that these kiddlings are wiccan!
Paganism is the huge umbrella that wicca, witchcraft, shamanism, heathanism etc. sits under. It really annoys me when these kids only get half the story and start blathering on about how they're a witch, and they can hex ppl and cast love spells etc.
Witchcraft, and all of paganisms sub-divisions are about so much more than that. There's the duality of deity for start, honouring nature, care for others (can be difficult at times), care for animals, and so on.
I am a witch, I am a pointy hat wearing, broomstick riding, Goddess worshipping witch. Yes I do the odd spell, but my religion is more about the seasonal observances, honouring the Goddess and the God, caring for my kitties and the enviroment than casting spells.
Those kids that complain that they get called 'Sabrina' etc at school, should try pulling back a little. Don't go screaming about your path, if anyone asks, just say you're a pagan. Or maybe they like the attention. In which case, they really should learn that whilst the Goddess is good and kind and gracious, she does not suffer fools gladly. Do not abuse her name!
Anyone else wanna vent now?
Recently I have been perusing the Korruption boards and came across a thread entitled 'Paganism and Wicca', now this is not unusual as there are many kiddlings who believe that being goth/alternative means you also have to be a witchypoo.
However I was shocked by what I read. Firstly the comment that Paganism was homophobic. This is blatently untrue. Paganism is one of the most accepting religions there is, in Brum, as in many other cities there is an LGBT moot, and an LGBT group. People are welcomed into paganism with open arms, whether they are pink, white, yellow or green, whether gay or straight, goth or not.
I have never, ever found it to be in any way discriminatory. There are branches of Paganism that can be seen as being 'homophobic' (eg: Odinism, which has also been accused of being close to nazism in the past). This is a comment that I found deeply offensive, and just shows how little the author knew about the 'Old Religion'
Then there was the whole rubbish about witches only able to do 'white magick'. That I'm afraid is b*llocks! Magick is neither white, black or purple. It is just that, magick! It is the intent of the person that uses it, not the magick itself.
Thirdly we have the 3 fold law bunkham. This is a purely Wiccan invention developed by Gerald Gardiner (I have this on the authority of Doreen Valiente). Yes Karma exists, yes what you send out does come back to you, but the believe that as pagans we are deserving of 3 times more than anyone else is vanity.
Also the use of the word 'Wiccan'. From my understanding (only been doing this sort of thing for 8 years, so I don't know it all) you can only call yourself 'wiccan' if you have been initated into a coven. As covens only take ppl from the age of 18 upwards, I severly doubt that these kiddlings are wiccan!
Paganism is the huge umbrella that wicca, witchcraft, shamanism, heathanism etc. sits under. It really annoys me when these kids only get half the story and start blathering on about how they're a witch, and they can hex ppl and cast love spells etc.
Witchcraft, and all of paganisms sub-divisions are about so much more than that. There's the duality of deity for start, honouring nature, care for others (can be difficult at times), care for animals, and so on.
I am a witch, I am a pointy hat wearing, broomstick riding, Goddess worshipping witch. Yes I do the odd spell, but my religion is more about the seasonal observances, honouring the Goddess and the God, caring for my kitties and the enviroment than casting spells.
Those kids that complain that they get called 'Sabrina' etc at school, should try pulling back a little. Don't go screaming about your path, if anyone asks, just say you're a pagan. Or maybe they like the attention. In which case, they really should learn that whilst the Goddess is good and kind and gracious, she does not suffer fools gladly. Do not abuse her name!
Anyone else wanna vent now?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-11-30 01:42 pm (UTC)you can only call yourself 'wiccan' if you have been initated into a coven.
No strictly true. Anyone who has been initiated, either into a coven or through self initiation can call themselves Wiccan, as can anyone (in my opinion) who follows the Wiccan doctrines, initiated or not. Much like people can call themselves a Christian prior to baptism or confirmation (in other words they follow the doctrines and hold the faith dear to their heart). It's just a label after all :)
On a personal note, I was initiated (self) as a Wiccan in '93/'94 (I forget exactly when now) but have since ditched the label in favour of Pagan as I feel it to be a more accurate description as well as causing less confusion when dealing with the non-pagan.
Also I have read of covens who accepted members prior to their 18 birthday under excepetional circumstances, but certainly not before their 16th, though there's nothing to stop a group of people under 18 forming their own. This of course if fraught with possible problems and dangers if the youngsters are dabbling in things that they are neither experienced enough nor strong enough to deal with. Usually though, certainly within my own experience, help is out there, even if the meddlers are unaware of it...such is the beauty of the astral. Shenanigans like that leave a right mess, and it's usually fairly easy to spot trouble and deal with it efficiently :)
no subject
Date: 2004-11-30 06:50 pm (UTC)I do worry about some of the kids that dabble with the whole thing, there are very few ways for those under 18 to get involved. And that annoys me.
I'm with you on the 'pagan' label tho, it's a lot easier to use at work. Stops all those awful questions.
no subject
Date: 2004-12-01 10:36 am (UTC)I can imagine...**sigh**,,,and it's this sort of thing that had me totally leaving the scene to itself to go 'hedge' all those moons ago. For a religion that considers itself broad minded and tolerant it amazed me that a 'high church' attitude existed just like in the oh so many monotheistic religions out there from which Wicca likes to distance itself as far as attitude goes. **even bigger sigh**
The very first books I ever read, and are still the books I refer to in the main, were written by Stewart and Janet Farrar, Doreen Valiente, Maxine and Alex Sanders, and Viviane Crowley...crossing two traditions (Gardnerian and Alexandrian) as far as I can remember all give a rite of self initiation...my own was taken from the Alexandrian tradition. Personally I know where I'll take my lead from :)
there are very few ways for those under 18 to get involved.
Very true in the broader sense in comparison to other religions. It's important to remember that the witch craft act wasn't demolished until 1951...being so used to being under ground, my understanding is passing on of the knowledge to the under 18 was reliant on family, and word of mouth in caution. This is still the case of course though it's wonderful so much of the caution has been dropped over over the last 15 years or so, with the dawning of the new age...**laughs to self**...people no longer have to keep it all so under wraps, It amazes me just how big the Pagan/Wicca section in leading book stores has become over the last 10 years...I can remember going into Waterstones during the early 90's and all they had was one poxy shelf :D
The tide is turning, and it will become much easier for younger folk to become involved, these are still very early days and my fear (not just mine, it's the worry of many) is any acceleration on a large scale would be the movements (for want of a better word) undoing. I think it's a beautiful thing, that one can 'come' to a path...one grows up formulating ones own understanding, and then discovers where that fits much later. Things only come to us only when we are ready for them, this is no different to anything else...and I'm very glad for that :)
Don't worry about the kids that dabble too much sweetie. Having had my fingers more than burnt in the past through my own experience (must tell you about that some day, I think you'd find it rather interesting **smiles**) I can tell you that it all works out. There is a saying, that has took on a slightly christian tinge over the years, that says God looks after fools, drunks and little children...**smiles**...I can't remember the exact pagan phrase (which is also subject to much paraphrasing), but the sentiment remains the same. Ever heard of the Psychic Police? **grins**
no subject
Date: 2004-12-01 08:13 pm (UTC)My path is very, very eclectic. I class myself as a Hedgewitch, my main deitys are Morgan Le Fay, and the Green Man, and my rituals work for me, but don't follow one set path. I really dislike the whole 'this is right cos I say so' attitude of some pagans. It's very dismissive and not at all helpful, plus it can be downright rude to people who are just starting out.
Never met the Psychic Police, but have been faced by Her sense of humour at times. Gah, we ought to talk about this over coffee, with much cackling!
no subject
Date: 2004-12-02 11:44 am (UTC)Coffee and cackling sounds like a grand idea hun :)
no subject
Date: 2004-11-30 07:33 pm (UTC)This is nathan & his big pants signing off
no subject
Date: 2004-11-30 08:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-12-01 08:50 pm (UTC)