Thank you for your comments. Yes, agreed that Canada is more open in some ways as is some of Europe than America. But, this is not exactly what I mean. Your path, which I assume is Wiccan, or some developed witchcraft based on the old, but necessarily adapted to the present, is one that I am sympathetic towards and one towards this question (vague as it is) is directed. Your rede, has something about not wishing bad things on others, lest it be returned 3 fold, (I know I could look up the exact, but you get my point , yes?) Well, that's all well and good as long as things are cozy and quiet, but my point is, if the Christian right gets much more power, how long will it be that outright persecution begins again? Will you then slip the star inside the blouse and go quietly underground, or will pagans join forces to fight the imposition of a state required and enforced religion. It has ebbed and flowed for years but the rightwing in Amerika (not to be confused with the normal America) has gotten outright ridiculous. The governmental furor over Janet Jackson's nipple while the rest of the world sunbathes nude on beaches is evident of the depth of this. That the Babtist church couldn't wait 2 months after toppling Iraq, to send in their "missionaries" is evident. If people don't think that censorship of sites such as this one on the internet will eventually become a major item, then there is much naiveity in the ranks. Just look at the buzz around Mel Gibson's Passion fictional movie and you will see the future desired by many, and many in power.

 

I am concerned by the propagation of this fiction. My feeling is that to say "Respect All Living" has to be guaged by whether that respect is mutual, or it is foolishly risky.

I guess I'm wondering when the militant pagan groups will come into being. Things can change very quickly. I see much good and understanding trying to rise to the top. I also see serious organizing resistance. Does anyone else wonder about these things?

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK, so it is, so far, as I have thought. I have no problems with standing up for rights, I'm right there too. I'm more concerned about rights evaporating with the stroke of a pen....

I can certainly see how your job could be affected, though everybody's getting ink done these days......

 

Hmmm, so there are Pagan Movements? Where does one find reliable info on this?

 

(read my intro, didya?)

 

 

 

I don't know about that. I've read other posts here from members in Fla. that suggested it wasn't a recognized religion. It may be a state to state thing. The stroke of a pen may for now be harder to come by, but just look at Bush's latest request. He wants a constitutional admendment specially drafted to prohibit gay marrage. So much for all men created equally.... The FCC has been instructed to crack down harsely on the entertainment industry, radio, TV etc. They now admit that there doesn't appear to be any WMD or connection to Osama in Iraq, meanwhile the body count climbs everyday while commanders describe the action as a religous war. As an exMarine, that doesn't make me very happy. This could easily snowball. I just think that at some point there will be a pagan backlash.

 

ps to Red. I cannot find the post now but I recently came across information on a question you had about the celtic new year. Did you find out what you needed to know?

 

 

 

My mother became ill this pass summer.I left my job,my mate,and put my life on hold. I went to Ga to care for her.I was there for 8 weeks .During that time all my family members who are evagelistic,speak in tongues,cast out demon bible thumpers, Kept asking how was my walk with the Lord? When I explained I no longer held with the beliefs of my childhood.I was accused of being a witch.They had discussions behind my back, amongst each other how they were frightened I was putting my mom in danger,by bringing evil spirits into the house.All this because I played Loreena McKennit ,and Annie Humphrey CD's.Lit candles,and tried to soothe my mom,who had terminal brain cancer,lung cancer etc.....My mom loved celtic music,and candles.The explanations I tried to give my loving family were that I believed in consciousness,that it existed in all forms of life. That I believed in reincarnation.That all religions are valued if they bring you to awareness of the loving ,living spirit within all life.I explained to them ,this is what I believe,and you may believe as you wish.They would come pray over my mom,and couch there prayers with casting the demons out of me.While I was cleaning her vommit,and wiping her bottom,they sat on their asses trying to figure out a way to bring me to God.In the meantime I observed my sister and her husband smoking pot and explaining to me how god was still working with them on that.They were forgiven by the grace of Jesus.The devil made them do it.My uncle informed me the reason I was there was because God called me there to be reclaimed by Christ. I said I'm here because I love my mother ,and she needs me. My point is that it doesn't hurt to fly under the radar.I can work just as effectively at changing the world without having everyone know what I believe.I do it through everyday acts,magic,prayers to whatever Divine gods,goddesses,spirits ,or  conscious awareness meditations I choose that day.Much can be done in the dark.

 

Leila,

This is very true."Personally, I think when ever religion (whatever it's name) and politics share the same bed, no good thing is ever conceived as borne out so tragically by history "It seems most religions are born out of the need to control the populace. Iv'e studied and continue to study  the masters that have arisen through out the birth of mankind.I don't throw the baby out with the bath water. The messages taught by these great men, and women are valid.I believe in activism.I don't think I need to be seen ,or heard to effect change.If, or when this becomes a christian right society,I will continue to battle in my own way,the right of all to practice their beliefs, without intrusion on someone elses beliefs. All life, is a participant in the great cosmic dance,and all deserve to experience it as they WILL.

Religions arise to fill a psychic and spiritual void in society. New religions take hold as previous empires and their state religions wane into collapse. The xians managed to take advantage of this concept, seizing the dying infrastructure of Rome to spread their new religion by the force of arms all over Europe, the Near East, and North Africa. Islam stepped into the same gap and conquered a share of  those formerly old Pagan cultural areas. Now the shoe is on the other foot, so to say, as now the rotting xian cultural framework is set to collapse. I think we Pagan Folk need to educate the general public about our beliefs and stand ready to take back the cultural dominance we had before Rome ran out of steam and became a tool of the 'monotheists' to spread their fanatical belief systems. We won't need to fight the state religion per se. It's weathered and rotten and will soon collapse under it's own dead weight imo. We just need to be ready to take advantage of the end of the xian era to bring humanity back to that Old Time Religion a.k.a. Paganism!!!! 

 

                                                                            -BB, Lord Badger