Effective immediately, you can't call me "Pagan" anymore. I scoffed at that name once before in my life, but readopted it over the last couple of years. It was just easier than trying to explain Pantheism to people. But a recent article in the Arizona Republic is causing me to pull the plug once again.
This weekend is the Autumnal Equinox, also known as Mabon. It also coincides nicely with a Full Moon, making the timing doubly as meaningful. It seems that a few select individuals calling themselves "Pagan" here in the Valley were contacted by (or more likely initiated the contact) our local paper to discuss the upcoming "Pagan Pride" celebrations slated for this weekend.
(Side note: Pagan Pride? Could you try to have an original thought next time? Or perhaps you should consider a term that doesn't automatically conjure up (no pun intended) images of transvestites dancing on large flower-bespeckled mock-ups of Antonio Banderas' foreskin?)
So what's got me riled up? After all, why shouldn't I be supportive of folks trying to spread the word of non-mainstream religion? It all boils down to perception once again. Catholics don't jump at the opportunity to talk about how the holy communion wafers are really the flesh of Jesus and not just a symbolism. That's kinda icky if you aren't indoctrinated into the faith. Pentecostals don’t try and recruit members by touting the virtues of speaking in tongues. Jew's don't hand out free Matza balls as an encouragement to people interested in Judaism.
I think the protagonist in our article should have kept that in mind before he blundered out this statement to the reporter:
"During the fires (along the Mogollon Rim), we did a lot of energy work to bring rain," Bethany said.
Oh great. So Pagans are all a bunch of rain dancing wizards and witches, standing on the hill top calling in the sprits of the earth to do our bidding. Excuse me while I go find a rock to hide under for a while.
No, we're not all that way. I for one, am definitely not. While I think there are powers and forces in the universe that science cannot describe, I simply don't see how we puny humans have the power to make Gaia do as we wish. A natural process that happens to be inconveniencing some human habitations doesn't necessitate a change in my opinion. That's awfully humano-centric for my tastes. Fires, floods and other various natural "disasters" are not disasters, regardless of the number of humans or other species that are impacted.
We and every other living breathing creature on this planet are simply manifestations of the larger "being" that is Gaia. Gaia is healthy with fires. Gaia is just fine with floods. Gaia is perfectly happy to send a twister ripping up trees and livestock for miles around. Don't forget, those trees and livestock are simply manifestations of the same life-force. That's what it means to be an Earthling.
OK. Off the soap box and back to the present. Don't call me pagan any more. I'm a Pantheist. Now get out their and celebrate the equinox and the full moon. Oh sure, you can call for rain if you want. Gaia probably doesn't mind.
Yeah, I have the same problem with many in the "Pagan community." This is a large part of the reason my husband and I worship alone, privately, rather than with a group.
Posted by: Kim on September 20, 2002 04:07 PMI'm sorry you didn't agree with the local coordinator's decision to mention the rain working to the reporter. I must admit it's not the choice I would have made. On the other hand, while not -all- Pagans do such things, some do; the diversity in our paths is such a core of our spirituality that it's almost impossible to describe something that one Pagan does that another doesn't disagree with at least somewhat. However, we're all together in that there are folks out there who would like to take away our choice to practice -any- of our path; that's what Pagan Pride is for.
As for Pagan Pride not being an 'original thought,' my essay on why we named it that is at http://www.paganpride.org/what/why.html - the phrase has worked for the GLBT community; there's no reason to think it won't work for ours as well.
Blessings,
Cecylyna Dewr
Executive Director, Pagan Pride Project, Inc.
Could I ask a question for clarification? Does Evo Terra not want to be associated with Pagans any more because a 'Pagan' called on the forces of nature to protect human lives, or because she admitted to doing such a thing?? I'm the local coordinator of the Phoenix Pagan Pride Event. The quote came from one of my co-coordinators.
Posted by: Dan Poland on October 3, 2002 04:39 PM(In rebuttal to Cecylyna Dewr's post from earlier today...)
I have three points to make:
1) To quote Daniel Quinn, there is no one right way. People are free to make their own choices and actions. And while I may point out issues that I don't agree with in a variety of situations, rarely will I ever offer the "one right way" that will fix the problem.
2) I support your organizations actions to bring non-Judeo/Xian/Islamic beliefs to the attention of the general public. Perhaps if more people understood the alternatives, we might lead some on a more appropriate path.
3) My contention was not that the name "Pagan Pride" would not be successful, only that it wasn't very original. The successes enjoyed by the GLBT communities after choosing this name do not impact my assertation that the name lacked originality. On the contrary, it serves to make my point. And no, I don't have any alternate names in mind. Just making an observation.
(In response to Dan's comments...)
I'm happy to offer some clarification.
First, I have no issue being associated with Pagans. The majority of my friends would probably call themselves "Pagan" if you asked their religious status. My religion, Pantheism, is quite paganistic. I never said I didn't want to be associated with Pagans as a group.
Second, I firmly believe that we, as a race or culture, have no business interfering with the will of Gaia when she's in the mood for a little house cleaning. Fire is a natural occurence in the world, and it's an easy argument to make that the forest is healthier in the long run.
Third, I don't wish harm or suffering on anyone, even those foolish enough to place some misguided sense of worth and ownership on a few square meters of land deep within a living, breathing and occasionally burning forest. As a healer, I fully understand using the power of Gaia to reduce pain and suffering. But I don't feel it neccessary or even ethical to try and change Gaia's chosen path just because we're inconvenienced in some small way. No, I don't think death is a small inconvenience. I do, however, feel that property "destruction" caused by forest fires is.
Prior to the fire, two Wiccans I know asked me if my group (Pantheists) were doing anything to try and bring rain to the Valley. I explained to her my position, very similar to the one above. Gaia is quite happy with the drought and life, in general, is not threatened by it. Why should I ask Gaia to bring rain here? Just to benefit me? That seems rather selfish to me.
Forth, Evo Terra is a he, not a she. Just for clarification in case anyone else was wondering.
Hope this clears things up. As I expressed to Cecylyna, I hope you group is able to bring about real change in thought patterns, here in the Valley and abroad. Good luck to you. And who knows? I might even show up at an event. I'll be the one wearing the "Ask me about my Pantheism" t-shirt. Just kidding.
Oh, Please! The article in the Arizona Republic was a nice artilce. It painted the Pagan community in a good light, and was good free advertising for the event. For the 1st Phoenix Pagan Pride, I thought it was a good time. I have no dobts that next year's event will be even better.
We spend an anazing amount of time talking about tollerence in our community. Why? Because tollerence is very important. Without it our world would disolve into kaos. Can't we at least pretend to be adults and all get along? All paths are valid and lead to the same end; be it Pagan, Asatru, Baptist, Catholic, or whatever. What is important is that we each allow others the freedom to practice and share their beliefs as they see fit. If we can't give them that freedom, we have no right to expect that freedom in return.
(In response to Ryan's comments...)
Is everyone reading the same post here? I have no issue on the level of "niceness" of the article, nor am I advocating intolerance in any way, shape or form.
My post raised two issues. I'll outline them again in case anyone missed out.
1) The name of the event lacked originality. Please read no further into my statement than that.
2) Mainstream people are likely to be turned off to supernatural and mystical aspects if they are thrust quickly upon a person new to the religion. It doesn't matter what religion, by the way.
I'm all for tolerance. I hope your event was a *huge* success. I agree that everyone is free to choose their own path. And yes, we should all just get along. Chances are we won't, but we should.