Paganism
I was browsing through the advantages of being a paid member and I discovered the
http://www.livejournal.com/users/[username]/friendsfriends/
Now I find this really intresting, it gives a great insight into the psyche of your friends.
When looking through today I discovered a really interesting link discussing Approach to Paganism. This really struck a chord with me, I have been a pagan for about 12 years. In that time I have seen public awareness and acceptance increase. However with the advent of programmes like 'Charmed' and 'Buffy', I feel that the concept people have of 'paganism' is not reflective of what paganism is and what it means; consequently I do think many people come to paganism for the wrong and sometimes sinister reasons.
As I was reading through the article, it resonated with me. I recalled a number of conversations I had at Pagan Federation meetings, and recalled a number of people who I had encountered on my journies along the way. I realised that it can very difficult for people with a respectful approach to paganism to find similar people, as groups that have been around for a while are wary of taking new members, sceptical of peoples reasons and purpose. I also realised that those who approach paganism for power because of the vulnerabilites they feel really are heading for abuse by unscupulous power hungry people.
It struck me that may be those of us who call ourselves pagans, should be a little more open to people, and accept that maybe sometimes people come to paganism for the wrong reasons. If we educate these people perhaps they will decide that paganism is for them, or may be they will go and explore something else; but either way they would not be left to be the victim of somebody with rather less altruistic motives.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/[username]/friendsfriends/
Now I find this really intresting, it gives a great insight into the psyche of your friends.
When looking through today I discovered a really interesting link discussing Approach to Paganism. This really struck a chord with me, I have been a pagan for about 12 years. In that time I have seen public awareness and acceptance increase. However with the advent of programmes like 'Charmed' and 'Buffy', I feel that the concept people have of 'paganism' is not reflective of what paganism is and what it means; consequently I do think many people come to paganism for the wrong and sometimes sinister reasons.
As I was reading through the article, it resonated with me. I recalled a number of conversations I had at Pagan Federation meetings, and recalled a number of people who I had encountered on my journies along the way. I realised that it can very difficult for people with a respectful approach to paganism to find similar people, as groups that have been around for a while are wary of taking new members, sceptical of peoples reasons and purpose. I also realised that those who approach paganism for power because of the vulnerabilites they feel really are heading for abuse by unscupulous power hungry people.
It struck me that may be those of us who call ourselves pagans, should be a little more open to people, and accept that maybe sometimes people come to paganism for the wrong reasons. If we educate these people perhaps they will decide that paganism is for them, or may be they will go and explore something else; but either way they would not be left to be the victim of somebody with rather less altruistic motives.