Sunday, July 23, 2017

Should Pagans Preach?

Should a Pagan preach? There are hundreds of people willing to be teachers of magick and witchcraft. But there are little or any pagans that try to preach. Now the subject matter here is what is important. No pagans are supposed to go around and try to convert people to Paganism. What about p5reaching aka talking about how to present oneself or act in the world.

We know that certain things are right and wrong, but we don't have anyone telling the world how we feel and view things. There are a few people that  talk  about how racism has entered some of the Norse pagans groups.  But people outside of the pagan world only see what  they  can easily find or what  is thrown in front of them.  We know that  there are a slight few Norse groups that  have neo-Nazi members, and they  use those beliefs as a shield or excuse to  act the way they  do. A vast majority of the Norse focused Pagans are anti-racism , and are disgusted with  these actions. 

We are all  told to "be silent".  We shouldn't ruffle feathers and get the ire of sensitive Christians that  can't handle anyone believing differently than themselves.  Being Silent, be scared, and being kept hidden has also  kept us from forming a community and a voice.  Saying that  our  Pagan Community is fragmented is being nice.  We lack so  much from being a community, we are our worst enemies.  We are over-protective of our personal beliefs and we will  go  against anyone that  would try to  lead us because somehow he doesn't understand you perfectly. How dare that  Strega tell a Celtic what  he should do!!  This is also  due to  our past history with  the Christian church, we don't want anyone to  tell us how and what  to  believe.

So how do  we get past this? We won't never really get past this.  I  was talking to  a friend yesterday  and she mentioned that  most Pagan groups last about 3 years and then  everything falls apart and then a new group or groups form from the wreckage.  This is a continuing struggle with  this.  We are so  distrusting of others when it comes to  our beliefs that  we will  destroy the group to  protect ourselves. We think  that  we are right on everything, that  we can't allow someone that  doesn't think  like you to  be in control for long. 

What  the Pagan community needs is someone, but better yet some people that  would be willing to  take the blunt of the opposing attitudes and rise up  to  show what  a Pagan community could be.  I  have been focusing on the Roku  channel  for Pagans.  It is a two  sided sword with  electrodes connected to  it.  This could give the Pagan community a voice that  could be heard around the world.  A platform that  any  opposing group couldn't take down.  one whole category could be Pagan news videos.  SO  people on the east coast would know what  is happening on the west coast, and vice versa.  It would be a way to  let solitary  practitioners that  they  aren't alone.  Categories can be used by  predominant pagans on YouTube adding interesting content  and educating others about what  Paganism is and isn't.  But toes will  be stepped on, people that  aren't comfortable that  anyone was speaking about Paganism, will  be enraged. The thick skin required to  stand up  would be amazed and draining.  If a group was to  stand up,  everything they  do  would be over analyzed and twisted against them.  SO  a You tuber that  joined the group of people speaking about Paganism could face a public out lash that  could ruin a Pagan You Tube channel, but it could also  energize it as well.

What  does this have to  do  with  Preaching?  EVERYTHING.....   I  am going to  continue the research  and structuring of this Roku Pagan channel idea.  I  am wanting one category to  be about spirituality and ethics. I  personally would not allow a hell fire and brimstone  video on the channel.  But a set of videos talking about Pagan ethics and spirituality would work  to  explain to  the world how we Pagans think and practice.  There would be a category devoted to  education.  SO outsiders looking in could learn what  the difference is on so many  traditions.  This channel  would be about the spirituality of Pagans.  Not about converting, but  promoting understanding about Paganism in its many  forms.

How would I  preach  about spirituality of Pagans?  I  would start with  talking about ethics. There is this concept about  "Character Counts". 6  pillars used to  being a better person.  Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.  Pagans focus on the divine and the magic , but little is focused here.  But I  believe that  we need someone to  focus on the character of Pagans to  show us in a better light.  Citizenship is about being part of a community, but  so many  of us are loners or very  distrusting.  If we can't have citizenship, we can never have a community.

I  would then continue talking about different aspects as they  relate to  other traditions.  Now one of the reasons I  am  motivated to  do  this is the also  educate some of those that  oppose Pagans,  some of those people are open to  reason and so  reason must be used.   Look  at how they  relate all  pagans as devil worshippers that  perform ridiculous rituals.  Have a video  showing how the wiccan rede makes those claim mute.  Of course that  would only cover the Wiccans, but they  are a part of the Pagan community. 

Would you as part of the Pagan community speak  for or against someone that  stood up and refused to  be silent.? Would you give that  person a chance before condemning that  person?  Are you wanting to  be part of a bigger community?

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