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 Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:07 pm
I'm sorry if I may seem a bit out there,but please hear me out.I was raised in a Southern Christian household,so I know what they talk about in their homes.Me and my grandparents had the talk about me being Pagan,but they were a lot better at it than I would have expected.
But,that's not what I'm talking about.Since I go to their church still for them and so I can learn a bit more about people,so one them heard me saying I'm Pagan.Since then,no one takes my ideas seriously and I get the awkward stares.Sure,I'm rather open when I dislike some of the things they say.I argue,I ask questions.I'm just curious.
Some of them have asked me to go on google and look at "Christians against" and some of the ones for Paganism were shocking and honestly hurt a bit.I don't know if anyone else have seen some of them,but it's really kinda mean.
Am I just taking it a bit too personally,or should I start preaching a bit more of the love and tolerance?
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:13 am
Although paganism is, on a whole, slowly and steadily actually becoming more mainstream, there are those who still have a HUGE problem with it. Some of it's from fear, some of it's from simply misunderstanding and/or misinterpretations.
I live in a larger City, (well for Missouri anyway) BUT I was raised in a very small town and close-minded community. Hell, there are full fledged clans of the KKK, in a town not 10 miles from where I used to live and they would even hold some of their meetings down by the river by my parents house which is only about 3 miles from there.
I often switch between being an idealist and a realist. Ideally, one would HOPE that even if those against paganism or outside cultures aside from their own, could at least become accepting to the point of being non-discriminatory, then we could at least get along. However, realistically, and especially having grown up around a very rigid and closed-minded people, I know for a fact, there are just some people and groups and communities, that will NEVER come to terms with a changing society in ANY sense: religiously, politically, race-wise, and so on. Even as hopeful as one may be, it just will not happen.
As far as what we can do about it? It all depends honestly on your own personal situation. If you honestly think that there is at least one person that would understand, or if you might be able to at least clear up a few misconceptions- more power to you. In my own personal experiences though, it's never been worth the time or effort because one could just tell that deep down, they honestly didn't care what I had to say because their minds were not going to be suede that paganism and witchcraft wasn't evil. I suppose the only real advice I can give is, if it will make YOU feel better, laying out why you believe in what you do and correcting their misconceptions whether they will listen or not, then by all means in respectful manner do so, and do that for yourself. Yet, if you do and they don't respond well to it, say to yourself, " I tried. I at least feel better for being the bigger person here." and go about your own business then. That, and no matter how frustrating things may get, keep more tact and grace about the whole matter than 'they' usually do when preaching to Non-Christians.
And as far as are you taking it too personal? Mmm, perhaps yes and then again, perhaps no honestly, but I'm the same way. I'll take and take and take a bunch of stupid remarks and what not or see things in the media that is just outrageous and I'll be like, "Well that sucks but I'm not too surprised." Then one little thing will happen and I'll be like scream "WTF you @#$@ blah blah blah." lol So I think we all have those moments and particular things that just set us off, so no worries.
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:28 pm
Matron, you have beat me yet again! lol
I am an idealist, but at the same time i see the way things are.. I just want Love and Peace.. Its my motto.
I agree in a whole with everything Matron stated in her third paragraph.
I take things personally all the time.. even constructive criticism, and so I have NO place to tell you if you did over react or take it personally. I would feel the same way... well i do feel the same way lol. I am honestly VERY tired right now, but I think I covered most of the points lol. I say keep your chin up, try to find the brighter side of this and just be graceful, and strong.. So in other words be the better person lol
Peace and Blessings
Celtic
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Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 6:57 pm
Thanks you guys.Me and my Da' were talking about it and he thinks I shouldn't freak out about it.It's just,people at school are always bringing it up and how we need to have a second crusade*shivers*
I'm trying to be the bigger person,though I have really bad temper problems.I guess I just need to have a bit of faith^^
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Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 8:48 pm
Layluna Shadow It's just,people at school are always bringing it up and how we need to have a second crusade*shivers* I'm trying to be the bigger person,though I have really bad temper problems.I guess I just need to have a bit of faith^^ Its things like this that make me angry. I have one thing to say. We are not as defenceless as we once were, so if they honestly think that a crusade will benefit their causes, than by all means please try to do one again. We will see how well that goes over.. I am sorry you have to put up with this, and you are right. Be the bigger person. Go to college, and then make them suffer by being their boss.... Or, you not do what I would do and be the bigger person still go to college and then be a bigger person still, and learn to forgive them for their arrogance... My problems are that I have a very bad temper as well, and I hold grudges, so mix the two and it is very bad.. AND I curse more than a sailor so thats never good either lol. Wow I really talked that time. COME ON PEOPLE LETS KEEP THE BALL ROLLING!!
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:05 pm
celticfaith Layluna Shadow It's just,people at school are always bringing it up and how we need to have a second crusade*shivers* I'm trying to be the bigger person,though I have really bad temper problems.I guess I just need to have a bit of faith^^ Its things like this that make me angry. I have one thing to say. We are not as defenceless as we once were, so if they honestly think that a crusade will benefit their causes, than by all means please try to do one again. We will see how well that goes over.. I am sorry you have to put up with this, and you are right. Be the bigger person. Go to college, and then make them suffer by being their boss.... Or, you not do what I would do and be the bigger person still go to college and then be a bigger person still, and learn to forgive them for their arrogance... My problems are that I have a very bad temper as well, and I hold grudges, so mix the two and it is very bad.. AND I curse more than a sailor so thats never good either lol. Wow I really talked that time. COME ON PEOPLE LETS KEEP THE BALL ROLLING!! It'll all have a bit of retribution tomorrow.All the pagans in our school are dressing up for our homecoming and we're putting everyone that have made those comments into the trashcans tomorrow. >:3 Ah,faith and action make for great days indeed.
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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:18 pm
Just don't get in to trouble. That won't further our cause, nor will it aid you. You can miss prove their arrogance and ignorance by not doing what they think you would do, but by doing something that fights the stereotype... if that makes any sense at all
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Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:09 pm
Ah,we didn't in the end.Something about having the muscle mass of a slug came up in our explanation...
Anyhow,we had a mini-debate with a small group of Christians and the teacher in charge of the CIA(Christians In Action) of our school.We came to conclusion that they need to give us food in the mornings.Small step in improving the quality of life for our pagans at school.
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Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 11:25 pm
Well that is a start, and you can't expect too much at once.. I do find it funny that your school has a Christian group... I mean our school had one, but when we tried to start one for "alternate" religions, we were told no because it is not educational...
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 11:31 am
Well,there's to of them actually.There's the Christians In Action and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.We kinda thought it was going to come,but that's what happens when you live in the Bible belt and let the pastors of the area get into the School Board.
The only reason we don't have one for "alternate" religions is because we have no teacher to be over it.If I were a senior they'd allow me to,but I don't think that's such a great idea.
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