Archives
Mean Pagans Suck
For some reason, it's evidently trendy among some Pagans to be mean, particularly to newbies. Today I even read a post on a popular Pagan/Wiccan forum defending the bad behavior. The poster says Paganism isn't for everyone and we all need to go through a gauntlet of sorts to sort out the good from the bad. A sincere seeker will persevere and "won't be scared off by some harsh words from random strangers, and won't be turned away even by the occasional all-out attack."
To me, this attitude is most UN-Pagan and people like this are (insert vulgar expletive here).
Years ago, when Loopaleigh was working at a bookstore, she checked out an older woman dressed in black from head to toe and wearing a pentacle. When Lori asked her is she was Wiccan, the woman replied coldly, with her nose turned up and a slight English accent (although I'm rather positive she's American), "We prefer the term, Dianic." The woman took her purchases in a huff and walked off, leaving Lori in her dust. I've been similarly dismissed by a few Gardnerians. How dare we try to be friendly.
Loopaleigh has been Pagan for 15 years. I've been Pagan for about 12. Hardly newbies, but these people have their noses too far up their asses to even be bothered to figure it out. And even if we were newbies, it is still a lousy way to treat a person. People like that don't shake my idea of Paganism, it only shapes my idea of them. When a person is that arrogant and rude, it tells me he is a bitter jerk who doesn't know nearly as much as he thinks he does. That's not the type I want for a friend nor magickal partner.
It's funny how so many Pagans talk about discrimination, whining about how nobody understands them, bitching about how someone judged them prematurely and negatively based on appearances or wrong conclusions. Pagans are always paying lip service to ideas of community, self expression, and individuality. I wonder how many of them ever notice they're just as guilty, just as detrimental.
It's true that Paganism and Witchcraft are not for everyone, but it's nobody's job to sort anyone out. As far as I'm concerned, everyone is welcome to explore what Paganismhas to offer. I'm not going to take anyone under my wing or coddle and Goddess knows that if I ever take on a student, he/she is going to be put to work, but I wouldn't dream of turning someone away from one the most beautiful and valuable spiritual paths.
Kindness, help, encouragement, smiles -- freely given here.
About the comic strip. It's from PUTF (People for the Unethical Treatment of Fireflies), a now defunct, online, Pagan, comic strip. You can still visit them and see the archives.
pandorasbazaar at 10:17:00 PM EST Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
Heya - nice of you to write me back!
Have to say, it's not only pagans that can be mean. Myself I'm a wandering wizard who follows no path but his own, but I've noticed whether I'm amongst Wiccans or Taoists or Ninja or Hermetics or whoever they are - there are always idiots! They always like to make other people feel inadequate. The thing is, I think at bottom it is their own lack of security that does it.
If you're really nice and comfortable on your path, you have a feeling of openness about you. You can accept things. The snobs can't do that, which leads me to suspect that they haven't got very far with what it is they're supposed to be doing.
As for this whole thing of initiating people by "harsh comments", whoever said that has alot to learn. Naturally if people are felt to need testing you can test them - in a *sacred* atmosphere, with respect. Anything else is the behaviour of a cowardly bullying asshole, and you can quote me! -
I know exactly what you mean! I've been on my own path (I call myself an eclectic pagan cause I choose the bits and pieces that work for me) for a little over 15 years. Thinking it would be nice to meet some other pagans online I ventured over to the message board here on AOL... Ouch! I will not do that again <LOL>. People like you are who I want to be like, not those who think they have the only answers!
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind -
Ohhhh, this is a GREAT entry. I wasn't sure what I'd find when I came across your site, but I'm delighted that I found you, because I always enjoy reading what you have to say. The Dianic woman sounds awful, proving once again that people treat you pretty much like you treat them.
I always learn something new when I come here; thank you.
Judi
6/1/08 10:04 PM