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irritated Because I'm finding it a little tough to see the leaders who were talking the 'we need to stand together as pagans' 'walk' at Pantheacon - two days later taking pot shots again.
I've gone from really hopeful to kinda sad. And I feel a little bad myself. The best I can say about my behavior is that I didn't level shots at other organizations, just my own. (Don't know which is worse. But, since looking at one's own house with a critical eye is essential to any real growth, I'll stick with the former.)
I wonder if it's really just too big a job to accomplish? Is the mutual neopagan and/or druid organization bashing just too ingrained into our practice? Would it even be noticed if I stopped lobbing sharp, but very funny, remarks at targets I've deemed somehow 'less' than me and mine?
Who knows? And it is NO fun to actually do for anyone as cyncical and smartassed as I like to pretend to be. (I am smartassed and enjoy wordplay - but I'm a closet optimist when everything is said and done.)
So, I'm just gonna try to keep my mouth shut - as I pretty much have in the past - about other Pagan organizations here in my LJ. (Yeah, I know I don't usually post much real content here, but I'm changing that daily.)
If we pagans (Neo or otherwise) have any hope of actually being counted in the next 20-30 years it's only going to be because we managed to stop bashing each other. (Oh - and this is going to be popular - stop bashing Christians too.)
February 22 2007, 05:47:10 UTC 5 years ago
February 22 2007, 05:51:04 UTC 5 years ago
It's general opinion, that's all. Thanks for asking - I hope others see this as well:)
February 22 2007, 06:39:02 UTC 5 years ago
And sometimes--much as I don't want to sound like Rob or Gwynne--individuals in the larger community just ask for deflation through satire (or, hell, even just sarcasm).
(Of course, the post-festival honeymoon is always short...always has been. Sometimes doesn't even really last the festival.)
February 22 2007, 06:45:59 UTC 5 years ago
Yep - evidently.
I don't want anyone to know what I'm referring too, btw, since its a varied and general response to several things.
I'm quite serious about examining my own behavior as well and wondering if it's a worthless pursuit, this whole 'Pagans standing together' thing. Just feeling a bit fatalistic and sad about the whole idea of Pagan Unity tonight. I'm bond to be ready to tackle it again in the morning!
Posting something like this serves a few purposes - it gets an idea out -solicits opinions and helps me to formulate some sort of plan as I look at where I'd like to be of service to the community. So thanks for the feedback.
February 22 2007, 07:01:28 UTC 5 years ago
February 22 2007, 17:22:08 UTC 5 years ago
February 22 2007, 20:46:16 UTC 5 years ago
February 22 2007, 17:35:29 UTC 5 years ago
And I think you did a great job of informing everyone else in the room of the differences.... differences they needed to, and should, know.
My own feeling is that people are free to use the term Druidry when they are referring to a tradition that was handed down from the 1800's, which the aforementioned folks freely admit. I can say that, and do so, respectfully.
It would be nice if they could offer the same respect to those of us who prefer to reference pre-christian times for their material for the study and practice of Druidism, but unless they are truly educated to the differences, they probably won't.
And as you and I both know, there were those there that should have known better.
February 22 2007, 20:40:31 UTC 5 years ago
Eh, well, tough, I guess :)
February 22 2007, 20:50:51 UTC 5 years ago
And I wish it really worried me as much as it must others. Perhaps that will change.
I think it's funny that Program/Path got a lot of play on another journal recently. I'm thinking we may all be terminology obsessed.
February 23 2007, 11:09:50 UTC 5 years ago
February 22 2007, 08:47:17 UTC 5 years ago
February 22 2007, 17:09:48 UTC 5 years ago
It would be really nice (although maybe overly optimistic) to think that we can all respect each other, even as we follow our own hearts.
February 22 2007, 19:50:05 UTC 5 years ago
As far as Druidry vs. Druidism - I never had anyone suggest I was using the wrong word when I was in OBOD. Even when I completed the course, I used "Druidism". It seems like whomever sparked this debate was doing it for reasons other than names - dunno...I wasn't there...but don't let it get to you guys. Keep up the good work.
February 23 2007, 00:18:26 UTC 5 years ago
Druidry vs. Druidism
Yeah, I think OBOD uses them interchangeably.This was a little different in that JMG had been making a case for Meso-Druidry, which, I feel should rightly be CALLED Druid-RY, and that's fine.
However, someone else started talking about Druid-ISM being dogmatic, which just isn't true.
February 23 2007, 00:19:54 UTC 5 years ago
But imagine the change in the social culture of this country if all the pagans stood up to be counted? It would be cataclysmic. ;)
February 22 2007, 20:45:15 UTC 5 years ago
And I think that we need to start in the simplest of ways and knock off the griping about each other's ways of doing things.
I just don't buy 'well soandso does it' as an acceptable reason to continue the practice. And, again, I cop to doing it myself all the time.
It is just something I'm becoming more committed to stopping.
Maybe we just need some of the group leaders to sign some sort of pact about not bashing each others' groups. Constructively criticize - yes. Get a laugh at the others' expense? That's where I'm going to try to draw the line personally. Because those laughs aren't neccessary.
Productive criticism, however, does have it's place. If that makes any sense? (Still working it out for myself actually)
February 22 2007, 16:10:17 UTC 5 years ago
February 22 2007, 21:34:37 UTC 5 years ago
If we know we share the goal we can also remind each other, but of course one has to be careful for it not to be taken as conflict avoidance or being holier-than-thou or whatever.
February 26 2007, 18:35:06 UTC 5 years ago
I find that sad, really. Having had my turn in the public officer barrel, I have learned--thoroughly and well--the lesson that, as a public leader, I have no public opinion that is not reflected on the organization. Moreover, I have damn few semi-public opinions that don't come back to haunt me--which may explain my reticence on certain topics while talking to you in the ADF Room at PCon.
Now throw in the usual magnifying problem that gossip brings.
Yeah.
If you win the election to Archdruid, and I don't think you'd be bad at it, remember that every e-mail you send, every word you speak, not restricted to eyes-only of a short list of people you know you can trust--could wind up tacked to the most embarrassing bulletin board imaginable.
That said, it is imperative that you do keep just such a "Kitchen Cabinet"--reality checkers both in and out trad. That you maintain a local community who will stand by you even when Dame Rumor has gotten the best of you in the wider world.
And it is NO fun to actually do for anyone as cyncical and smartassed as I like to pretend to be.
*grin* It's okay to keep the sharp edge on your tongue--truly--but with discretion about when, where, and with whom you let it out for a run.
So, I'm just gonna try to keep my mouth shut - as I pretty much have in the past - about other Pagan organizations here in my LJ.
Either scrupulous silence, or guarded complements, as appropriate--again, it's not wrong to have blistering opinions, but if they're in public you may expect them relayed immediately or--worse--when it'll hurt worst.
If we pagans (Neo or otherwise) have any hope of actually being counted in the next 20-30 years it's only going to be because we managed to stop bashing each other. (Oh - and this is going to be popular - stop bashing Christians too.)
Just so: we simply cannot expect respect from others to whom we do not first show respect. Still, there are ways one may set oneself up better for this than others. For example, you may want to explore any Interfaith initiatives in your area. I've found these invaluable in teaching me that no, not all X (for any value of X!) are assholes.
Hope that all helps,
-- Lorrie