MySpace is yielding some good chatter. My response on another forum:
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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

From a MySpace pagan parenting forum:

Pagan parents have a unique task - that of teaching pagan values to their children in a world hostile to alternative religions.

My response:

First task - get over this victim mentality. You are always going to run into people who are hostile towards you for something. But teaching children right off the bat that their religion is going to be persecuted is doing them no favors. Right from the start, act as if you are an equal with everyone else, and be that role model.

Second task, drop the "alternative religion" label. It's a religion or it's not. Period. There's no "alternative" about it. This sends a message that the mainstream faiths are top of the heap, and we're "other."

If we're truly going to teach them values - not "pagan values," but human values - we must teach them to stand firm and not go out into the world expecting to encounter a negative reaction to their faith, and thereby treating people as if they were already hostile to it.

crossposted to nfp_parents

Tags: children, pagan, persecution

There is a "Pagan Voter Census" being spammed around LJ. You can find the site here.

First off, why should I care what the Catholic Church thinks? They have no power over me. And the site itself is seriously amateur, both grammatically and in position.

What is really ominous on this site is the poll at the bottom: "What should be done with the information from this voter census?" Options include: "Start a Pagan Party" and "Have an agenda page so everyone knows where pagans stand." ... If this information is going to be used for those things, I don't want anything to do with it. It's one thing to say "We're pagan and we vote." It's entirely different to try to represent how all pagans are supposed to be voting. That is one reason I'm against the Pagan Unity Campaign.

When, oh, when, will this "more persecuted than thou" trend begin to lose its luster? Rather than clinging to the label society has given us, why not start actually ACTING like you're an equal member of society? Walking the walk.... what a novel concept. *sigh*



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Tags: pagan, persecution, politics, unity

Quoted from another forum:

What ever happened to freedom of religion? Oh wait!! Sorry I forgot it is freedom of religion only if you are Christian!!!!!

Grrrrrr....... get over the "poor pagan me" syndrome. There are crackpots and extremists in both Christian and non-Christian faiths; they get harassed just like us. Yes, the U.S. Government is prominently to the right at this time (cited because I know it's in your head). But things were no different under other administrations.

Fundies are fundies under any banner; the Christian ones are just getting more press right now. But that doesn't mean we're getting any increased persecution or discrimination. In fact, more and more pagan and non-pagan groups are banding together under the common goal of continued religious freedom for all. So unstick that broomstick, eh? No one's hauling out their torches and pitchforks.

(for new readers, this is the place where I notate the "no Bush-bashing comments, stick to the topic" advisory.)

Tags: pagan, persecution
Mood Swing: cynical

....based on the responses to the many postings about that Wiccan couple who had a judge rule they couldn't teach their kid Wicca if he was in a Catholic school.

The trend is that, when someone says something like, "this is where it begins," more and more pagans are going, "get over yourself; they're NOT out to get us!" They are standing up against the myth of the Burning Times persecution syndrome, breaking down the old prejudices and fears that have become more obstacles than banners for us.

Yes, there will always be extremists. But that is in ANY group, Christian or non-Christian. We have for too long been our own worse enemy. The increasing percentage of pagans who are saying, "enough is enough, time to move on and be active rather than wallow in martyrdom" gives me hope for the future of the pagan community at large.


crossposted to wiccanwitches, pagan and nonfluffypagans

Tags: pagan, persecution
Mood Swing: hopeful