Pagan Values Month, continued (part 2)
I've been thinking a bit more about International Pagan Values Blogging Month. Having read what links I've been able to find re: this topic, I have a few things to add to my list. My very rough list of "Pagan Values" that I've come up with so far, from my previous post:
Pagans reject the MonoTheism of the Judeo-Christian "God."
Individual Self-Expression
Personal Responsibility and Self-Reliance
Emphasis of Experiencing "Ultimate Reality" via Shamanic Mediation, often with a hefty dose of Mysticism*
Personal Experience & Gnosis
A few of these, whilst very closely connected (e.g., it would be quite easy to sum up 3 of the above 5 Values with "Individualism"), I think they are important and different enough (with enough sub-classifications of their own) to merit individual mention.
Along these lines, as catsidhe has pointed out, there is an aspect of Active Spirituality that is also important to most Pagans, for the simple fact that we don't generally have the easy access to "experts" in our religion like the Christians do. If they have questions about things, they can always ask their Pastor. Whilst this is certainly possible in Paganism, it is not only more difficult, but not nearly as encouraged in Paganism. I'm reminded of one of my favorite Quotes re: Teaching (this is specifically re: Magickians, but I think is also a relatively accurate statement re: many Pagans feelings):
"A Magickian will suggest, guide, counsel, or assist if asked, but never spoon-feed."
Paganism also stresses a Poly lifestyle. Not just sexually (although most sexually Poly individuals I know either are Pagans, or have strong Pagan tendencies), but in general. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all MonoTheistic religions, and this theme runs throughout their Cultures, their Beliefs, and everything else. As was mentioned here, in the MonoTheistic religions, there is only "one God, one Truth, one Right with all other things Wrong." There is also a reliance on "UnChanging, Absolute, & Eternal 'Truths'," which doesn't allow for the infinite variety we find in Life. This is an important difference betwixt Paganism and the MonoTheistic religions. Pagans don't tend to worship "jealous" gods. Pagans also don't think "there is only ONE way to ________." Pagans tend to be more into Situational Ethics than Absolute Moral Imperatives. This idea of "Poly" in Paganism is another defining characteristic, because the people who tend to get attracted to Paganism in the first place have often been "different" (than "The One" correct way) from the mainstream religions, their values, and their practices. Thus we see a lot of "rejects" from the other religions (either voluntarily or forcefully). A population like this is going to naturally embrace and value Variety and Differences. This definitely ties into the Individualism aspects mentioned above.
Another Value I think that most Pagans hold dear is the idea of InterConnectivity of the Cosmos--"As Above, So Below." This would include not believing in silly things such as "things that exist that aren't 'Natural' (e.g., so-called "supernatural" phenomena, aren't)." This also ties into examining things from a more wholistic, ecological approach. This often includes environmental activities and "caring for Mother Gaia," but also involves looking at people, things, relationships, and situations in a more holistic perspective. E.g., if I do _________, how will that affect the overall _________?
Going back to my original argument that "Paganism" isn't an inclusive meme so much as an exclusive one (we "are not Christians"), there are definite tendencies in the Pagan communities to embrace the polar opposite of what the Abrahamic religions have, in many Pagans' views, become imbalanced in. E.g., more of an emphasis on the Feminine (cf. Patriarchy), taking religious ceremony with more Humour (cf. Solemnity), more tolerant (cf. "The One and Only True Way"), or more focused on seeing Divinity in the World around us (i.e., Immanence, cf. Abrahamic's focus on Transcendence). Personally, I think that most of these should really focus on Balance, which seems to be another Value that most Pagans tend to hold important. No, I will not go off about the many Pagans who seem to miss this point entirely (I'm looking at the Feminazi Wiccans who deny males into their precious Liccan** circles).
I will say this regarding Pagan Values: until we have more inclusive descriptors (although I personally prefer that there is no easy way to pigeonhole and Label me), there will always be many Exceptions to these Rules, particularly with a group as eclectic and Individual as Pagans. One example I've only seen come up once in my readings for this post is that most hated Wiccan meme (that all too many think is "universally applicable"... sorry hon, see the above paragraph on "Absolute" vs. "Situational"), the whole "An It Harm None, Do What Thou Wilt" bullshit. Foregoing the fact that this takes Uncle Al's dictum and pussifies it, it's not even a reasonable expectation, as I discuss here (amongst other posts I've made re: the futility of this meme).
* these terms come from Dr. Dale Cannon's book, "Six Ways of Being Religious".
** "Liccans" is a term Adam Carolla came up for "Lesbian Wiccans," often typified as much by their aversion to men as by being overweight and wearing too much silver jewelry with their all black outfits. It's funny because it's true, and we all know at least one Liccan...
Pagans reject the MonoTheism of the Judeo-Christian "God."
Individual Self-Expression
Personal Responsibility and Self-Reliance
Emphasis of Experiencing "Ultimate Reality" via Shamanic Mediation, often with a hefty dose of Mysticism*
Personal Experience & Gnosis
A few of these, whilst very closely connected (e.g., it would be quite easy to sum up 3 of the above 5 Values with "Individualism"), I think they are important and different enough (with enough sub-classifications of their own) to merit individual mention.
Along these lines, as catsidhe has pointed out, there is an aspect of Active Spirituality that is also important to most Pagans, for the simple fact that we don't generally have the easy access to "experts" in our religion like the Christians do. If they have questions about things, they can always ask their Pastor. Whilst this is certainly possible in Paganism, it is not only more difficult, but not nearly as encouraged in Paganism. I'm reminded of one of my favorite Quotes re: Teaching (this is specifically re: Magickians, but I think is also a relatively accurate statement re: many Pagans feelings):
"A Magickian will suggest, guide, counsel, or assist if asked, but never spoon-feed."
Paganism also stresses a Poly lifestyle. Not just sexually (although most sexually Poly individuals I know either are Pagans, or have strong Pagan tendencies), but in general. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all MonoTheistic religions, and this theme runs throughout their Cultures, their Beliefs, and everything else. As was mentioned here, in the MonoTheistic religions, there is only "one God, one Truth, one Right with all other things Wrong." There is also a reliance on "UnChanging, Absolute, & Eternal 'Truths'," which doesn't allow for the infinite variety we find in Life. This is an important difference betwixt Paganism and the MonoTheistic religions. Pagans don't tend to worship "jealous" gods. Pagans also don't think "there is only ONE way to ________." Pagans tend to be more into Situational Ethics than Absolute Moral Imperatives. This idea of "Poly" in Paganism is another defining characteristic, because the people who tend to get attracted to Paganism in the first place have often been "different" (than "The One" correct way) from the mainstream religions, their values, and their practices. Thus we see a lot of "rejects" from the other religions (either voluntarily or forcefully). A population like this is going to naturally embrace and value Variety and Differences. This definitely ties into the Individualism aspects mentioned above.
Another Value I think that most Pagans hold dear is the idea of InterConnectivity of the Cosmos--"As Above, So Below." This would include not believing in silly things such as "things that exist that aren't 'Natural' (e.g., so-called "supernatural" phenomena, aren't)." This also ties into examining things from a more wholistic, ecological approach. This often includes environmental activities and "caring for Mother Gaia," but also involves looking at people, things, relationships, and situations in a more holistic perspective. E.g., if I do _________, how will that affect the overall _________?
Going back to my original argument that "Paganism" isn't an inclusive meme so much as an exclusive one (we "are not Christians"), there are definite tendencies in the Pagan communities to embrace the polar opposite of what the Abrahamic religions have, in many Pagans' views, become imbalanced in. E.g., more of an emphasis on the Feminine (cf. Patriarchy), taking religious ceremony with more Humour (cf. Solemnity), more tolerant (cf. "The One and Only True Way"), or more focused on seeing Divinity in the World around us (i.e., Immanence, cf. Abrahamic's focus on Transcendence). Personally, I think that most of these should really focus on Balance, which seems to be another Value that most Pagans tend to hold important. No, I will not go off about the many Pagans who seem to miss this point entirely (I'm looking at the Feminazi Wiccans who deny males into their precious Liccan** circles).
I will say this regarding Pagan Values: until we have more inclusive descriptors (although I personally prefer that there is no easy way to pigeonhole and Label me), there will always be many Exceptions to these Rules, particularly with a group as eclectic and Individual as Pagans. One example I've only seen come up once in my readings for this post is that most hated Wiccan meme (that all too many think is "universally applicable"... sorry hon, see the above paragraph on "Absolute" vs. "Situational"), the whole "An It Harm None, Do What Thou Wilt" bullshit. Foregoing the fact that this takes Uncle Al's dictum and pussifies it, it's not even a reasonable expectation, as I discuss here (amongst other posts I've made re: the futility of this meme).
* these terms come from Dr. Dale Cannon's book, "Six Ways of Being Religious".
** "Liccans" is a term Adam Carolla came up for "Lesbian Wiccans," often typified as much by their aversion to men as by being overweight and wearing too much silver jewelry with their all black outfits. It's funny because it's true, and we all know at least one Liccan...