...At least that's the impression I've gotten from the local pagan community, which seems the most visible/accessible one, unless it's just that fluffy bunnies are the most visible pagans
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I was pretty much going to say the same thing. Given that the media immediately drifts to the most "sensational" individuals who identify themselves as Pagan (as they tend to make for a much juicier story), many are tired of the image portrayed and of those who claim to speak for us. It isn't surprising for them to identify as "not THOSE" and to be quite exclusive about it.
Other reasons for exclusivity include the numbers of pure whack jobs who happen to identify as Pagan merely to become involved with a group, then reveal that they are only there to suck the group dry of energy, sell their latest snake oil, or "pick up chicks" (or guys, as the case may be). I recall one who attempted to integrate by thrilling us with his "ability to speak Dragon, control lightning, and commune with faeries."
Yeah, sometimes it's lonely, but preferable to being surrounded by crazies.
"Now... Barbeque or katchup? I had that dude with mayonnaise the other day... That was kinda good, but I don't want to have the same thing twice in a row. I'd like a touch of horseradish, but that always inflames my allergies. Oooh! Maybe some relish! Hmm... My doctor told me I should be watching my carb intake, so I guess I'll have him on rye. Oh wait, I picked up that sourdough when I ate the baker last week, I could use that.
-sigh- Eating healthy is really getting to me. I miss the days when I could just have flambe and not worry about my waistline, or what the other dragons at my book club think about my tail. Oh well, Lunchtime!"
The sort I'm talking about usually do role-play too, and intersperse their role playing sessions with magickal activities that more commonly resemble classic spiritism (lots of channeling, candles, and "let's sit in the dark and look at the spirits").
One guy (who since grew up, but is no longer even a pagan, now a skeptical atheist) was convinced that he magickally controlled everything that went on in the area in which he lived, and could make it so that other people's magick didn't work. He was convinced he could "short out" other people's activities.
Oop. Forgot to mention that a good half of the information that this particular crowd had (the one in which the "I'm the ONLY one here who can do magick!" guy hung out), came from role playing books. Most if all, were not educated in any kind of system even to the point of familiarity.
Many in this group got burned, to the point of completely turning on paganism... the group's ringleader is now a diehard atheist.
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Other reasons for exclusivity include the numbers of pure whack jobs who happen to identify as Pagan merely to become involved with a group, then reveal that they are only there to suck the group dry of energy, sell their latest snake oil, or "pick up chicks" (or guys, as the case may be). I recall one who attempted to integrate by thrilling us with his "ability to speak Dragon, control lightning, and commune with faeries."
Yeah, sometimes it's lonely, but preferable to being surrounded by crazies.
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OK, I've had a really crappy week, and this comment made me giggle*snort.
I'm trying to figure out what a dragon would have to say besides, "Fry, fucker!"
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Hahaha thanks for that.. and you in turn have brightened my day.
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-sigh- Eating healthy is really getting to me. I miss the days when I could just have flambe and not worry about my waistline, or what the other dragons at my book club think about my tail. Oh well, Lunchtime!"
;)
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Maybe THOSE "Pag-ins" are confusing themselves with their role play game character.
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One guy (who since grew up, but is no longer even a pagan, now a skeptical atheist) was convinced that he magickally controlled everything that went on in the area in which he lived, and could make it so that other people's magick didn't work. He was convinced he could "short out" other people's activities.
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Many in this group got burned, to the point of completely turning on paganism... the group's ringleader is now a diehard atheist.
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