What the heck is wrong with europe-ancestry pagans?

Question

Fantasy-related nicknames, over-the-top feminism, watered down New Age crap, arguments about the stupidest things and market mass media books are just some of the problems that I've found with this latest revival of the "Old Ways" (yet another retarded term). This has got to stop. The worse thing about all this is that its closely tied-in with Wicca. Do you people even stop to think about where Wicca comes from or what it's actual beleif system is?? Why is it that we cannot grasp concrete ideas that make up alot of other spiritual practices?
And how did we come to this, thinking that we're somehow pagan just because we light candles, dress in Renaissance replicated clothing and buy pagan paperbacks from corporate bookstores?
Whatever happened to the focus of community life, sex, blood, rebirth, death, all the things people call 'icky' and the actual LIVING off the land? Someone please tell me that I'm not the only one that can see this disturbing situation?

Answer 1

I recognize your angst. I occasionally go through a period where I decide I don't like other Pagans and become solitary for awhile. But I'm called to be active, so I can't really do it too much.

I always thought one of the best things about being Pagan is the fact that we're not tied to modern fashions. I love going to events with people in kilts, garb, fetish gear, etc. It's so decadent, really. The clothes themselves don't have anything to do with the religion, but the concept does. Two things are at work here. The first and most obvious is the idea of freedom of expression. That's an important Pagan value. The other is the idea of timelessness. This is really the only plane in which time is unidirectional. In sacred space, past, present and future (and their fashions) is all one.

I personally don't follow Wicca. I find it offensive to the Goddesses particularly. For one, you bundle them all in to one being and attach their names to it in accordance to what you want to "use" them for, and then you tie them into Maiden (sex object), Mother (barefoot and in the kitchen) and Crone (sitting on the porch knitting and swearing at young whipper snappers). I don't see how this is empowering at all, frankly. It's insulting to women as well as the Goddesses. And then... Oh yea, by the way, there's a God too, but He's only marjonally important.

I'm holding my breath (and turning blue) waiting for the Earth-centered Pagans to start putting their money where their mouths are on environmental issues. But everyone seems perfectly happy to keep buying polyester garb and petroleum based black lipstick.

At any rate, if you want to start a commune, I'm all about it! You have a couple thousand dollars you aren't doing anything with we'll do it. But I'm not about the free sex thing. Sex is sacred, that means it is, in fact, not free. If it weren't for the fact that every Pagan commune I run across appears to be an excuse to sleep around, I would've done it already.

Answer 2

I am guessing that you are disgusted with the newer people who are using the labels "pagan" and "wiccan" who are what some would call "fluff bunnies". Those folks who are not serious and extremely eclectic. If I am wrong about what you are talking about, you won't need to read the rest of my answer....

I have seen the bunnies come and go. My biggest peeve is when they use the word Celtic and they don't even know what it means or they spout off some of the bogus "history" that they've learned from BS new age books. It's embarrassing. Most of the time, they honestly believe what they are saying. I try to provide good links where folks can learn real history but some people just aren't interested. They would rather make it all up and then slap the name "Celtic" on it and say that that's the way things were 2000 years ago. I wish they'd make up their own names for their fantasies instead of pretending they are Celtic.

Since Wicca is the most popular branch of neo-paganism, it seems to get the most misinformation spread about it. Many people do not take the time to learn about the history of Wicca, preferring to make it up as they go along. People can be lazy and without a formal study group (like other religions have) some people will never persue the tenets in depth.

Sometimes I feel like a lone voice in the wind. I embrace the "icky" stuff because it is my way of life. Everything is not all love and light, but hopefully it is a good balance. You aren't the only one who is watching the situation. I will be very glad when "paganism" goes back out of style and fluff bunnies will be a thing of the past. Until then, we need to educate those who will listen and encourage people to dig deeper.

Answer 3

I would have to say that one who doesn't understand paganism is you. You cite the most superficial and least important parts and act as if that is totality of the practitioners. Wicca is the largest and fastest growing branch of the modern pagan movement, as well as being one of the first. What is wrong with that? Do YOU have the slightest idea what it teaches or where it came from? By what authority do you presume to dictate what is or isn't a Pagan path? The key thing about Paganism as I've learned it these past 30 years is respect for other people, and for their ways, even if they're different from there own. So yes, I do see a disturbing situation, people like you passing judgment on how others explore their own spirituality.

Answer 4

I see your point. Anyone with a crystal obsession and a spellbook seems to call themselves Pagan and focus on Magick and dazzling everyone else.
For me it is a community, a way of life and I have a keen interest in survivalism and knowledge of the means to support myself if it all goes haywire.
Wicca for me is no more than a rebellion of christianity with it's 3-fold law.
As a Pagan I don't buy from corporate bookstores, I prefer to buy any books of interest second hand as I prefer trees to books and like to recycle. I certainly don't wear renaissance replicated clothing. Candles ? I grow mullein in my yard and dried Mullein tops make excellent candles. I may be female but am not into feminism, for me there HAS to be balance in all things. Wicca has nothing to do with "old ways " it's what 50 or so years old ?
I am sick to the back teeth of wannabe's with a spellbook, candles and a crystal obsession waxing lyrical about their new 50 dollar athame and telling everyone they're a witch and giving it all "harm none" and 3 fold crap.
Harm none is hardly realistic in the real world. In fact it's practically a xian concept like turn the other cheek. P*ss me off, you pay for it. We are all responsible for our actions and also our RE-ACTIONS.

Answer 5

Paganism predates monotheism by a few thousand years, give or take. When monotheism came into Europe, pagans were moved to the very fringes of the continent. It's lived on in parts of Galicia, Ireland and Scotland. Through the Highland Clearances and other English agression, Gaelic crofters were sent to America, where their culture developed somewhat again, albeit in a scary commercial way now. This is how we now enjoy Halloween again, and who's to say you can't..

But of course, wicca and such, any paganism, is devilish. Deride it, be scared of it.. It's what you're taught you should do.

Answer 6

Hey, millions believe in Christianity...and boy, if Wiccans are bad, Christians are just..cringy.

Live and let live man, although i do agree with the corporate takeover of religion..its just market-made faith for the masses

Answer 7

Your not alone. I found out years ago. Don't worry few of them spend their life as birth right pagans. They tend to settle into something less offensive after a while.

Answer 8

Live and let live.