Daily journal of a Lycian witch - dealing with "bad pagan!" encounters

12:25 pm December 27th, 2005




			Daily journal of a Lycian witch - dealing with "bad pagan!" encounters Musings, rants and insights on whatever crosses my path.

seshen


	dealing with "bad pagan!" encounters
	MySpace is yielding some good chatter. My response on another forum: ____________________ I've found that an indulgent smile takes the steam right out of most folks who try to get a rise out of you. If you become reactionary, they go right for that weak spot, because if they hadn't hit a nerve, you wouldn't be reacting emotionally. It can be frustrating, the little encounters that pop up. And we can let them build until it seems the whole world is judging us. But we must remember that these are personal issues of individuals, not a problem or agenda of the majority. If your faith truly IS a solid foundation for you, then the opinions of others are simply that - opinions. No threat. Even family comes into this equation. It's more bothersome because we want to get along with our relatives, but if it's not possible, don't beat yourself up over it. They are who they are. Continue to be a role model as a stable, spiritual individual and they will decide how to take that, or not. I find that firmness works best. Getting prayer Emails? Block 'em. Someone won't talk to you? Sorry, I'll miss you, but breaking off a connection is their problem; don't make it yours. I could say more; I'm sure you'll find out in time that I usually do. ;) But I think my point's been made here. Tags: beliefs, bias, conflict, pagan, persecution

4 ringie-dingies

Call me!


	Comments

	From: sunfell	Date: December 27th, 2005 07:09 pm (UTC)		(Link)

An indulgent smile, eh? Hell, I hurl my Humor Handgrenade at any miscreants who might be dumb enough to try to mess with me and my beliefs. When the humor bomb goes off, and they're helpless with either laughter or outrage (which can be remarkably similar, I've observed), I run! Or better yet, slowly vanish in front of their bulging eyes, leaving the gleaming smile for last.

That's a Stupid Magus Trick.

:-)

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From: rebel3000_au	Date: December 28th, 2005 04:59 am (UTC)		(Link)

Maybe you've forgotten what it's like to be young, and have your own flesh and blood, who you thought you could trust, turn on you because of your faith. I'm not crying persecution here, but there are some of us who are going through a rough patch because our families won't really accept what we believe, and are leaving us out in the cold as a result. We don't have the kind of rock-solid support bases you take for granted, and we certainly don't the have the wisdom and experience you enjoy.

Perhaps, Your Grace, you should be a tad less judgemental.

In Goddess and in Reason,
Thirishar

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	From: seshen	Date: December 28th, 2005 04:36 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I've not forgotten what it's like to be young, and I watched my own firstborn go through rejection due to our faith. My "rock-solid support" was built on the attitude I refer to; it started out with the usual doubts and questions, though I was fortunate enough to not be turned on.

Eventually, you must become your own person, regardless of what flesh/blood or anyone else thinks or reacts to. That I'm further along on that path is a matter of choice, not age. You're 20 and an adult. Deal with them like the equal that you are, not the obedient child they want you to be.

Going through rough patches is a part of life, and how you will eventually get to where I am. Can't help that I'm older than you and have already been where you are, so that particular guilt trip is moot.

Perhaps, Your Grace, you should be a tad less judgemental.

Less judgemental? Not to those who insist on remaining victims, which is who I was focused on. Making judgement calls on what you will and will not accept from others in relation to your own spirituality is part of becoming a person who's worthy of respect.

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	From: seshen	Date: December 28th, 2005 04:55 pm (UTC)		(Link)

BTW, I saw your latest post on coming out. Good for you. No need to feel "dirty;" congratulate yourself on going with a compromise that opened the door to them listening. It's apparently better than what you had before, even if it's not ideal.

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