Pagan Community?
Over on The Witches Voice, Sia wrote in an excellent article on dysfunctional behavior in the Pagan community:
Ah... but are we a community in the real sense of that word? The definition of a community is a group that involves "friendly association, mutual support, commitment, and dedication to a cause,ideal, or effort." It is not something we "do" just at full moons or at festivals, it is something we live within and support. It is equitable,ongoing, reciprocal, and organic. A functional community is also well mannered. Why? Well, as my colleague Thalassa points out, standards of courtesy and etiquette were originally invented so that we could stand living with other people in close proximity (i.e. in tribes, cities and communities) and thus prevent us from killing one other out of sheer annoyance. Unfortunately, we don't have a Pagan community, let alone a healthy one, and our manners are often deplorable. With the exception of some small neighborhood circles, where love and dedication create a vital group, what we Pagans actually engage in is a "Pagan scene".
A scene is merely a place or event where people come to play for a short time, much like a rave party or a rock concert. Little that is made or done at a scene endures; the experience is all-important. The people who frequent a scene do not support each other as a community does. They do not care for one another in hard times, and they do not build a lasting culture. When they get bored,they leave, and go on to find another scene.
She continues her analysis, with recommendations, here.
So, is this correct? Or is it one of those things that is partly correct, or just correct to a point?
Do we want a Pagan community, or is a Pagan scene enough?
What would it take to turn our scene into a full-on community?
And, (most importantly) are you willing to do the (possibly un-rewarded) work to do it?
Cross-posted to uncledark and nonfluffypagans.
Ah... but are we a community in the real sense of that word? The definition of a community is a group that involves "friendly association, mutual support, commitment, and dedication to a cause,ideal, or effort." It is not something we "do" just at full moons or at festivals, it is something we live within and support. It is equitable,ongoing, reciprocal, and organic. A functional community is also well mannered. Why? Well, as my colleague Thalassa points out, standards of courtesy and etiquette were originally invented so that we could stand living with other people in close proximity (i.e. in tribes, cities and communities) and thus prevent us from killing one other out of sheer annoyance. Unfortunately, we don't have a Pagan community, let alone a healthy one, and our manners are often deplorable. With the exception of some small neighborhood circles, where love and dedication create a vital group, what we Pagans actually engage in is a "Pagan scene".
A scene is merely a place or event where people come to play for a short time, much like a rave party or a rock concert. Little that is made or done at a scene endures; the experience is all-important. The people who frequent a scene do not support each other as a community does. They do not care for one another in hard times, and they do not build a lasting culture. When they get bored,they leave, and go on to find another scene.
She continues her analysis, with recommendations, here.
So, is this correct? Or is it one of those things that is partly correct, or just correct to a point?
Do we want a Pagan community, or is a Pagan scene enough?
What would it take to turn our scene into a full-on community?
And, (most importantly) are you willing to do the (possibly un-rewarded) work to do it?
Cross-posted to uncledark and nonfluffypagans.