neo-paganism, things i love and hate
i used to describe myself as neo-pagan, but then i became too embarassed at what a lot of other neo-pagans were doing/believing to want to associate myself with them. (let's face it, i hate everyone)
my fundies prof is one of the big religious studies researchers into new religions movements, and he said he gave up on writing about neo-pagan movements because he couldn't find anything to say about them that wasn't sarcastic.
the things i loved about neo-paganism:
-pagan festivals, bonfires, potlucks
-singing, reciting poetry, live music, dancing -- neo-paganism is good at ecouraging everyone to pick up some form of artistic expression, and provides a good audience for the arts
-open attitudes about sexuality
- a lot of the people were creative, intelligent, well-read
- there's a lot of beauty in neo-paganism, beautiful creation stories, myths, ideas and rituals
the things i can't stand about neo-paganism
-it's a nature religion, but most people know nothing about biology, chemistry, physics, botany, zoology -- you know, what we've learned about nature in the past 1000 years or so. people idealize nature while knowing very little about it
- misusing history and anthropology to prop up dubious theories about how previous societies were "pagan"
- people are so open and accepting that it leads to "anything goes" in the way of moral standards. the "i'm ok, you're ok" mentality means there's very little you can do to be kicked out of the neo-pagan community. drama and mental illness flourishes.
- there's no sense of social responsability. the old and experienced sexually prey on the new and young, with little intervention.
- a lot of people take themselves WAY too seriously
- i just don't get people who say that odin literally spoke to them as they were walking down the street. as a metaphor, meaning "i felt inspired in a certain direction" -- ok, i can buy that. but literally?
my fundies prof is one of the big religious studies researchers into new religions movements, and he said he gave up on writing about neo-pagan movements because he couldn't find anything to say about them that wasn't sarcastic.
the things i loved about neo-paganism:
-pagan festivals, bonfires, potlucks
-singing, reciting poetry, live music, dancing -- neo-paganism is good at ecouraging everyone to pick up some form of artistic expression, and provides a good audience for the arts
-open attitudes about sexuality
- a lot of the people were creative, intelligent, well-read
- there's a lot of beauty in neo-paganism, beautiful creation stories, myths, ideas and rituals
the things i can't stand about neo-paganism
-it's a nature religion, but most people know nothing about biology, chemistry, physics, botany, zoology -- you know, what we've learned about nature in the past 1000 years or so. people idealize nature while knowing very little about it
- misusing history and anthropology to prop up dubious theories about how previous societies were "pagan"
- people are so open and accepting that it leads to "anything goes" in the way of moral standards. the "i'm ok, you're ok" mentality means there's very little you can do to be kicked out of the neo-pagan community. drama and mental illness flourishes.
- there's no sense of social responsability. the old and experienced sexually prey on the new and young, with little intervention.
- a lot of people take themselves WAY too seriously
- i just don't get people who say that odin literally spoke to them as they were walking down the street. as a metaphor, meaning "i felt inspired in a certain direction" -- ok, i can buy that. but literally?