Why do so many pagan solitary practitioners...?

Question

feel it is OK to sit behind a computer monitor and participate in virtual community rather than getting out into their communities and actually participating in the real world? With so many areas having small pagan communities, a most common issues is lack of participation and lack of caring. And it is not because they are afraid of "being persecuted". Not a real issue anymore. Rather it is more because they do not want to "get involved". Why is that? What is your reason for sitting behind a monitor and not getting out to participate in your own local community? Why are you a "hermit", or why do you feel it is not your responsibility to be part of a solid working community?

Yes, we have nutters, just like any other spiritual path. I've met my share as well. But not eveyyone is a nutter, and there are some very viable communities out there that you could be part of if you just looked a little further than your keyboard.

I live in the Bible Belt in Ohio. Plenty of folks out there, and if you have problems finding locals, try looking up Witches of the World on Witches Voice.
The Internet has made the ability to connect with others of like mind easy, all we have to do is reach out. I'm sure there are plenty of pagans there, you just need to look a little further. For the fastest growing spirituality in the US, we have lots of folks saying they are all alone. Wonder why that is? As for judging, I'm not. Not everyone is a hermit. And that is why I ask the question, because I see more folks readily finding excuses than actually trying to make the connection. With all the resources available to us, why are we not building more real communities? Use the Internet as a tool, not a substitute for real life.

Not an attack, but rather a question. If this was an attack, I would have pointed out you specifically.

Rather, maybe this has made you think a little, and now you are angry because you don't like the answers you are reflecting on?

There are lots of folks out there, hon. All we really have to do is reach out? Is that so hard?

I work too. I am home on a snow day. Yea, the person talking to you is another of those hard working pagans you talk about. Again, why do you think I addressed those who do work in their communities? If the shoe fits? Why do you resent it being pointed out? Why do folks who do roll up their sleeves take exception to a comment not made about them? I am one of those hard working community people as well who feels way too many pagans shirk their responsibilities with a convenient excuse. We can't discuss this? We should be, and that's why I asked.

Answer 1

To the rest of you self righteous cry-babies who got all puffed up and answered this question - If you don't think this question applies to you, then maybe it doesn't, but I've seen enough of this to know that it applies to the greater part of the community We (Boud and I) live in. Over 300 professed "pagans" and the majority of them whine about the lack of community in the area, but the moment you plan an event or outing, suddenly they're all just too busy. If we have a free event in the area, we might get a half-hearted turnout. But if they might be required to buy their own food or pay a small fee to get in to cover our costs, forget it.

It's too dam easy to sit on their arses behind their monitors and pretend like they want to be part of something then actually put any real effort into it. And then whine about how their community leaders "aren't building a community for them".

Boud's right, if you can get online, you can find other pagans and events to get involved with. Frankly most of you folks that consider yourselves "solitaries" could benefit from getting out in the community because honestly, the number of solitaries who seem to have absolutely no clue what they are doing or what they are practicing is growing by leaps and bounds. Wicca is a religion based on experiences, not "teachings".

Answer 2

I'm sorry you do not see what you're saying as an attack. But, it is. You're assuming that everyone wants to be the way you perceive things should be. It's not always the case. I'd recommend taking up the philosophy of looking inward instead of assuming that just because someone doesn't agree with you, that you've struck a cord and pissed them off because of it. You may, just be wrong.

"And it is not because they are afraid of "being persecuted". Not a real issue anymore. "

Actually, pagan stores are being closed all the time. Events once started are often times shut down due to non-pagan community influence. It happens all the time. You point out witchvox in your question... try looking at witchvox and reading all of the articles about the persecution. They're there. I also read an Dear Abby or some other advice columnist about a month ago, who needed to tell a woman to back off of the attacks on her mother for being Wiccan. Read these forums, there are still people who think pagans are devil worshippers. Keep looking. You'll find it.

It's not a lack of caring. It's a matter of choice and ability.

I was VERY active in my pagan community a few years back. I backed off. Many of the people were drama filled. Many were high on their own ego. And it was very cliquey. I take my beliefs seriously. Do I want to practice my belief with groups like that? No.

Answer 3

Personally, I do. Let's see....there's the Ronald Mc Donald house, my children's elementary school, the food pantry...... the battered woman's shelter......the March of Dimes......

I do a lot of community service. No one has asked me about my "religion" and I don't go out of my way to discuss it. There's too much work to do!

Granted I work from home & have a very flexable schedule. Maybe others are not so lucky.

We haven't joined any "Pagan Organizations" because we have a full schedule as it is. My family just tries to help out where we see that help is needed. I'm pretty sure that there are other Pagans helping the same chairities that we are, but again, there's so much to do that we don't really chat about it!

Edit: We have gone out to Pride Days and other rallies held by the owners of our local metaphysical shop. My husband wants to try to start up a Spiral Scout group after we move.

I understand how you feel about poor turn out at events. It is pretty dishearting to see all the hard work go to waste. But there are some people who make it worthwhile. I have 7 kids and it's not an excuse, but it's a reason why I can't do all of the networking and community stuff I'd like to.

Answer 4

I tend to agree. Living in Columbus, we can get people to show up sometimes to an event, but if it costs, or if it is too inconvenient, or if so and so is having a fight with so and so, people drop out, rather than deal or contribute.

I see it with covens as well. Very exclusive groups; if it is not to their liking, they don't offer support to their community. Aren't covens supposed to be concerned about their community, or are most of them more "girls clubs"? And is that a coven at all?

I think it's a "me, me, me" thing. I notice when someone in a community needs something, it's all about them. But should someone else need, or the community need...

They sit behind their monitors and comment but don't go out into their community to contribute.

It's not everyone. But it sure seems like most of them. Like the other person says, 300 people calling themselves pagans, and you can't get 30 of them to show up for a free event.

I would love a tighter community, more participation, more people. But we seems to be more focused on the individual, not the community. We should really broaden our concerns.

Answer 5

The only reason why I participate in the larger pagan community on the 'net only is because of the fact that I really can't get out much, since I don't I have my license, and the only way to get around is my grandfather, and I'm NOT asking him to take me anywhere more than I have to! I want to get involved, but at the moment I can't! So it's not really a matter of choice, rather than a matter of circumstances.

Answer 6

Using my computer is a hobby as well as a research tool. I also have plenty of other hobbies--we go camping, hiking, swimming, geo-caching, fishing, reading, gardening, backyard birding, and we are trying to restore our 90 year old Arts & Crafts bungalow. That is part of our real world. Most of our interests and hobbies are things that we do individually, as a couple, or occasionally with a very small group. That suits us well because we don't care for large groups of people. We tend to be hermits because that is what we like. We joke about being hermits but we don’t complain about it because that is what we like. I know that there are others who prefer to be an active part of large groups and I think that's great--for them. I suppose that I take for granted that they respect my preferences and choices too.

Many times I force myself to attend events. But each time, I really have to force. As nice as everyone is, I can't wait to get away from all of the people. I suppose that I could volunteer more to help people with their events. I am truly happy that they are working for something that they want and I'd like to help them, but I don't want to have to go to the event--and I especially don't want to have to spend a vacation day on it. I've happily donated supplies to a ritual and then left after dropping them off. I donated most of my library to a local coven. I’m always quick to offer encouragement to those who serve our local community and I admire the amount of time and effort that they spend.

Another issue is that I work nights and weekends which is when most events occur anyway. On workdays, I am only home for less than 9 hours a day so when I go to some events, I need to spend a vacation day or go that day without sleep. I don’t know of many other night-shift pagans---and I’m always looking for other night owls like me. I’ve tried “Pagan breakfasts” and late night meet ups but interests fizzle. It would be great to find others who follow the same path that we do or even a few people that would be interested in Celtic studies. So far, we haven’t had any luck. And even if we did find a few others, my work schedule would probably get in the way again.

Answer 7

Why the attack?

Personally, in my area there are exactly two "New Age" stores (they won't even call themselves pagan because of the stereotype), and neither are listed in the phone book under "New Age". I can't even remember how I found them - it was by happenstance. It is incredibly difficult for me to find and meet other Wiccans out there, let alone Wiccans that follow my path, which I'm still researching to find which path I truly believe in (not which one fits me best, but which one I believe in). I'm not solitary because I don't care, I'm solitary because it's just not easy to find resources in my city about Wiccans and Pagans, and I unfortunately missed the Pagan Pride festival last summer that has this kind of information (I was out of town at a wedding that weekend).

I feel it is very much my responsibility to be part of a solid working community. That community is just hard to find in my area. I resent your assumptions about why I am solitary.
)O(

Answer 8

well it seems to me that your sitting in front of your computer monitor right now. my husband happens to be Wiccan and he worksvery hard.(in the real world) to suport his family as do lots of outher pagans I know. there are far more people with Pagan beleifs then you know. they just dont go around preaching or trying to brainwash anyone. and yes, they work real jobs, have real families and live a life just as you do. For all you know, the nice lady who sits next to you on the bus everyday could be one of those Pagans that you badmouth.
Blessed be

Answer 9

Judge much?

It might be because they don't live in communities that have any pagans in them? Have you ever been to Wyoming, Montana or...pretty much any red state? They come on here to connect with like-minded people.

Answer 10

Have you MET some of the freaks that call themselves practitioners?
If you had, you'd know the answer.