Pagans Plan Pride Day To Ease Misgivings

[buffalo]

Pagans Plan Pride Day To Ease Misgivings
By CHRISTIAN M. WADEcwade@tampatrib.com

** NEW PORT RICHEY - ** Pagans are coming out of the closet. After years of being labeled as devil worshippers who sacrifice animals under a full moon, the modern-day followers of ancient beliefs want to be part of the community.

In Pasco County, they’re planning the first Pagan Pride Day in a popular city park.

People think paganism is evil,'' said Robert Crom, regional coordinator for Pasco Pagans. Some people, especially among mainstream religions, feel threatened by us.’’

Crom, 25, said he wants to clear up public misconceptions about pagan religions.

The group, formed a couple of years ago by transplants from Pinellas County, was issued a permit Thursday by New Port Richey officials to have the pride day at downtown Sims Park next month.

Organizers expect the event, modeled on a similar gathering in Pinellas, to draw at least 100 devotees for a day of music, pagan worship and public education.

``There’s no voice for the pagan community here,’’ said Crom, a former Methodist who gravitated toward practicing paganism as a teenager growing up in rural Nebraska.

From an early age, Crom said, he found Christianity lacking in areas, particularly tolerance, reverence for nature and emphasis on the free will of the individual.

``I was searching for a religion that made me feel comfortable,’’ he said.

more…

 

[David_Paul]

``I was searching for a religion that made me feel comfortable,’’ he said.

One with onboard navigation, power windows, satellite radio and a fine Corinthian leather interior.

 

[rayne100]

``I was searching for a religion that made me feel comfortable,’’ he said.

One with onboard navigation, power windows, satellite radio and a fine Corinthian leather interior.

That was quite rude…
I did not know that Paganism was widely thought of as a " Cushy Religion"… In fact I believe that many pagans are ostracised as much as christians and catholics.
to each his own.
You may attack me for voicing my opinion, but I think that comment was offensive to the origianl poster and to anyone else who is here to discuss openly.
We have far too little tolerance already in this world without adding any more on top of it.

 

[buffalo]

I am the original poster and I did not take his comments as rude.

Please state your definition of tolerance.

 

[David_Paul]

rayne100:

That was quite rude…

Didn’t intent to be rude. I do believe those who want a religion which “makes them feel comfortable” are misguided. Religion may do that. Hopefully it does. But the idea one should shop around and use comfort as a deciding criteria is, or can be, egoism and or hedonism. Nothing comfortable about the Passion or the trials of Job.

Because of a wholesale business, I have had many dealings with Wiccans, New Agers and various Pagans Had 80 or 90 or so of their stores as accounts. Nice people. Rather weak on theology usually. Most knew nothing about Christian history but believed the cartoon version of the faith taught in school and propagated by the media. Noticed most passed thru Paganism/Wicca on the road to something else. So if I am knocking them, it is to hopefully make them consider that they are not the center of the universe and their comfort is not what religion is all about.

 

[Kevan]

Isn’t it funny what gets considered newsworthy? A handful of pagans held a get-together in the Memphis area a couple of years ago and attracted about thirty souls, if I remember correctly. From the level of media attention, you’d have thought that Elvis had risen from the dead and was cutting another record at Sun Studio.

What’s the difference between pagan religion and no religion, I wonder?

 

[FuzzyBunny116]

Pagan would include Wicca…lets see…other polytheistic…Hinduism might be considered Pagan, I don’t know. I know there are people who believe in a revived Norse Mythology. Druids. Etc. Theres all the difference in the world.

 

[Kevan]

FuzzyBunny116:

Pagan would include Wicca…lets see…other polytheistic…Hinduism might be considered Pagan, I don’t know. I know there are people who believe in a revived Norse Mythology. Druids. Etc. Theres all the difference in the world.

Yeah, you’re right. I was actually thinking only of Wicca, which is mostly what these people profess.

 

[severinus]

‘Pagan’ comes from the Latin word paganus meaning, roughly, hick. It’s an insulting term that demeans all who are thus named. Such inconsiderate intolerance is clearly out of step with modern notions of fairness, equality, and siblinghood. I ask for new, non-judgmental and non-insulting term to refer to those who subscribe to…well, whatever it is that they believe in.

Once ‘pagans’ have eradicated the inequality and discrimination in their speech, and stop referring to themselves as “hicks,” then they can truly have “Pagan Pride!”

 

[cheddarsox]

My religion (pantheism) is often included in the group of religions referred to as “pagan”, so I find myself spending a good bit of time with these people.

Our community has a pagan pride day, and lots and lots of Christian festivals as well, and international festivals and all that other good stuff. I attend a number of them.

It is hard to lump pagans into any catagory, because there are hundreds of unrelated religions that get tossed under this header. There are people who get involved because they want an excuse to do drugs and dance naked, but that is the “fringe” of paganism, not the heart and soul of it.

When people talk about finding comfort in a religion, they usually are not referring to physical/emotional comfort, but spiritual comfort. Their soul has found a home in a set of beliefs and practices. Many people find comfort in their religion, it is where they turn for comfort when life gets ugly (usually on a daily basis).

I don’t expect to find “friends of pagans” here. But it is hard to just sit here and read this stuff, just as many here feel the need to speak up when you faith is belittled by others.

Pagans may not spend lots of time studying christian history and theology, but many could talk for hours about the history and beliefs of their own and related faiths. These are valid religions. And yes, they do know that the word pagan means “hick”, and that is OK. Religion is not about looking good and important to the outside world, it is about transforming your soul. And pagan is not the name of a religion, each faith has its own name. But we understand that you don’t take time from your own faith to study the history and theology of ours, so if you call us pagan, we understand it is because you don’t know any better. (wink)

cheddar

 

[FuzzyBunny116]

cheddarsox:

And pagan is not the name of a religion, each faith has its own name. But we understand that you don’t take time from your own faith to study the history and theology of ours, so if you call us pagan, we understand it is because you don’t know any better. (wink)

cheddar

Mea culpa, but there isn’t a better term. Its rather annoying to say “It looks like the wiccans, Druids, norse mythology, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology, Hindus (?) etc…are gathering together for a celebration.” Pagan is ten-times faster, and I can’t think of any other name. By the way, what was so offensive? The thing about comfort, I thought, was valid, and I’ve seen that kind of thing attacked on Christian denominations. He’s merely saying that he doesn’t like people who pick a religion because it makes them “feel good,” and thats what that man had sounded he was like doing. At least, thats what I thought. He even said the New Agers, Pagans, etc that came into his shop were nice people. While I guess I can’t critizice them for not knowing much Christianity, especially if the version they were introduced to was so dumbed down, I think his point was, isn’t it odd that in America, 87% Christian, they wouldn’t have looked that up some? Besides, maybe those he MET were weak on theology. I’ve heard so many varied reports of behavior from different religions, hearing Catholics say they meet nasty Protestants and nice Catholics, or the exact opposite. He might have just met a low-theology group.

Sorry for the uni-graph, as my teacher calls it.

By the way, if you want to see some REALLY nasty bashing, look for the thread entitled “Fun” with a bunch of KJV only-ists, and tell me if that isn’t the most offensive thing you’ve ever read (if you were Catholic).

 

[Peace-bwu]

``I was searching for a religion that made me feel comfortable,’’ he said.

One with onboard navigation, power windows, satellite radio and a fine Corinthian leather interior.

I don’t think this was rude, just making a point about our culture’s desire for a religion they can be “comfortable” with as if that is the main reason for religion, to make one feel comfortable, as if we are comparing cars available on the market. Religion shopping, like car shopping.

 

[Peace-bwu]

cheddarsox:

My religion (pantheism) is often included in the group of religions referred to as “pagan”, so I find myself spending a good bit of time with these people.

Our community has a pagan pride day, and lots and lots of Christian festivals as well, and international festivals and all that other good stuff. I attend a number of them.

It is hard to lump pagans into any catagory, because there are hundreds of unrelated religions that get tossed under this header. There are people who get involved because they want an excuse to do drugs and dance naked, but that is the “fringe” of paganism, not the heart and soul of it.

When people talk about finding comfort in a religion, they usually are not referring to physical/emotional comfort, but spiritual comfort. Their soul has found a home in a set of beliefs and practices. Many people find comfort in their religion, it is where they turn for comfort when life gets ugly (usually on a daily basis).

I don’t expect to find “friends of pagans” here. But it is hard to just sit here and read this stuff, just as many here feel the need to speak up when you faith is belittled by others.

Pagans may not spend lots of time studying christian history and theology, but many could talk for hours about the history and beliefs of their own and related faiths. These are valid religions. And yes, they do know that the word pagan means “hick”, and that is OK. Religion is not about looking good and important to the outside world, it is about transforming your soul. And pagan is not the name of a religion, each faith has its own name. But we understand that you don’t take time from your own faith to study the history and theology of ours, so if you call us pagan, we understand it is because you don’t know any better. (wink)

cheddar

I am sorry that our group is not as understanding as we could be, but it is frustrating for most of us who have been at Catholic Answers for a long time. I know for myself, it is hard to comprehend that someone would want to go backwards in the history of God’s revelation to us as a human race. For me and other Catholics, we spend our days trying to live in the footsteps of Christ. For me it can be literally painful to know that so many individuals don’t have this. It isn’t that I feel haughty or prideful, sure it can hurt when the Church is unfairly criticized, but what I feel is more of a compassion for fellow human beings. We are all on this life journey together, and are all in a conversion process. It is painful for me, personally, to know that so many are lost along the way. This is not a personal attack on you, but I can’t possibly agree with your religious beliefs. They are counter to everything I believe is revealed to us by God.

You may encounter a few rude comments on this site from time to time, but for the most part you are probably encountering a sense of frustration from a group of people willing to give their lives in the name of Jesus Christ. Some of us might feel we know enough about the various pagan groups to know that they are counter to the very core that has become our reason and meaning of life. We are called to love the one Lord God with all our hearts, souls and being, and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Love can be a very diverse thing. It may come to you as the tough love from a mother, father or teacher, but I swear to you, most people on this site post out of love. We are only human and at times our emotions may get in the way of productive dialogue. It isn’t out of a hatred for you but a love for God and a sense of responsibility and compassion for all the human beings around us.

From our perspective making Pagan religions mainstream with festivals etc. will only lead more people astray from Truth. This is especially true for people who like to go against the grain and stand out or for people who never really fit in with any other social group as well.

I can understand if you think this statement I make is wrong or rude or hurtful, but it is honest. I would rather be totally honest than to lie in order to “be nice.” I would never intentionally misinterpret your religion or persecute you for your beliefs, but I will never agree with them or promote them.

 

[Peace-bwu]

Pagan Pride Day…

So if we don’t call all the Polytheistic, Nature based, ancient God or Goddess, wicca/witchcraft etc. “Pagan” what do we call them? It is a nighmare. If I had to list all the various protestant denominations by name the list would go on for an hour or more.

 

[Scanner]

I am sorry that our group is not as understanding as we could be, but it is frustrating for most of us who have been at Catholic Answers for a long time. I know for myself, it is hard to comprehend that someone would want to go backwards in the history of God’s revelation to us as a human race

I think what is frustrating for Catholics, and it is just my humble observation, is that you can present all of your values, present the people in your congregation, and yet, still have someone reject you and say, “I ain’t buying. I don’t want to be like you.”

I guess that hurts. I don’t think Pagans or anyone else intend it to hurt. They just don’t feel at home in a Christian church or maybe being a Christian…

I am not a Pagan but I can identify with one remark the spokesman for Paganism made - “Christianity is lacking in being in tune with nature.”

Many who enter any Christian church just don’t feel at home with God but yet feel that way when alone in nature, in solitude. They’re heart is filled with God and peace. They feel his presence. I can recall a Simpson’s episode, which pokes fun at everything so don’t take it too much to heart,where the preacher remarks,

“Why would you want to get married out here in the unGodliness of nature?” LOL.

I think the writers were satirizing upon something a lot of people intuitively feel about Christianity.

I am not trying to be critical - I am sure many people feel a sense of God and home when they are in the Church. It is just many other people do not - they need solitude and removal from all things than are man-created.

Maybe if the priests of today went outside a little, and talked about nature, it could change. I don’t know. . .

 

[buffalo]

Geez - I wonder if we had a Catholic Pride Day - reading the Bible - in particular - passages about abortion, homosexuality, sin and such - would we be arrested?

 

[AnAtheist]

Kevan:

What’s the difference between pagan religion and no religion, I wonder?

A pagan religion (Wicca, Asatru, …) is a religion, while no religion is -uhm- no religion.

 

[cheddarsox]

FuzzyBunny116:

Mea culpa, but there isn’t a better term. Its rather annoying to say “It looks like the wiccans, Druids, norse mythology, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology, Hindus (?) etc…are gathering together for a celebration.” Pagan is ten-times faster, and I can’t think of any other name. By the way, what was so offensive?

I wasn’t getting offended. Notice the (wink) just saying my piece. Like I said, we don’t mind if you call us pagans, not a problem, but its a word that is SO inclusive as to be nearly useless, except when shopping online!

I was trying to offer a bit of perspective. Think of it this way, what if Hindus decided to refer to people of every religion that wasn’t Hindu as “Yeeshaks”. And then, with some regularity, referred to “Yeeshaks” as being this, that and the other way (You know those Yeeshaks!) Sometimes, you might get tired of being lumped in a group with hundred of religions and faith traditions that shared no history and bore no resemblence to your beliefs. I don’t expect anyone here to become a buff on all the religions they are not. That is silly. I just like to remind people that “paganism” is not a religion, or even a related family of religions. It is a catch all term that tells you nothing about the people and their faiths.

Also, there are many religions that Yeeshaks lump under the title of pagan, when the practitioners of those religions do not identify as pagans. And that can be construed as disrespectful. That people don’t respect your tradition enough to call it by it’s legitimate name. Sort of like Catholics (rightly) becoming annoyed when folks tell them they are not Christian, you don’t want to be falsely identified in the family of non-Christian religions.

Want a better term than pagan? You could try…reconstructionist faiths, idigenous faiths, polytheistic faiths, etc depending on which groups you were discussing.

Nothing was especially offensive. People do respond, even when they are NOT offended, because they have something to add to the conversation.

cheddar

 

[buffalo]

It seems to fit:

pa·gan cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/JPG/pron.jpg ( P ) Pronunciation Key (phttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/amacr.gifhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/prime.gifghttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/AHD4/GIF/schwa.gifn)
n.

1. 
   *]One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion.
   *] One who has no religion.
   *] A non-Christian.
   *] A hedonist.
   *] A Neo-Pagan.
   
   adj.
   1. 
      *]Not Christian, Muslim, or Jewish.
      *] Professing no religion; heathen.
      *] Neo-Pagan.

 

[cheddarsox]

Peace-bwu:

I can understand if you think this statement I make is wrong or rude or hurtful, but it is honest. I would rather be totally honest than to lie in order to “be nice.” I would never intentionally misinterpret your religion or persecute you for your beliefs, but I will never agree with them or promote them.

I have no problem with you stating how you feel. That is why we all come here, to share our beliefs and feelings and to learn what others feel and believe. The fact that I responded to your post did not imply I felt persecuted, I just wanted to say what I felt, same as you did.

Nor do I expect you to accept, agree or promote my beliefs. I am happy merely having them represented fairly.

Something that is useful for all people to remember, especially when discussing something as close to the heart and soul as faith and religion, is that the other person believes and holds dear their faith as strongly as you do your own.

Other people’s religions, though they appear misguided to you, are as important and real to them as Catholicism is to you. They study, live, practice, teach their children and are persecuted for their faiths, just like you. Their faiths are not random beliefs they picked up at the faith flea market, they represent time spent studying, praying, soul searching etc.For many, the faith was passed to them by their parents. Their traditions and holidays are not excuses to “party” they are sacred holy days, rich with tradition, full of meaning and memories, that carry their cultures and stories forward to the next generation.

I’ve got a pretty thick skin. I don’t need people to walk on eggshells around me. I don’t mind you telling me how you perceive my beliefs.As long as you are willing to let me respond.

cheddar