What's the deal with these neo-pagans?

Question

They are super-liberal and make stuff up to fit their personal ludicrous beliefs (ie changing the gender of a god, believing in fairies and other non-sense).

Also they IGNORE historical facts and evidence and have the nerve to call recons like me "elitists" for PROVING their beliefs wrong.

Somehow on forums I manage to get banned for it. Even if I don't swear and sound composed and educated. Something just can't through their thick heads and frankly, I'm sick of it!

Answer 1

I use the term "neo-pagan" to describe myself because I feel that it distinguishes the Celtic path that I practice from what the ancient Celts practiced. I'm a conservative and have been a voting conservative for many years. I am also a recon and a large part of my path is the study of the ancient Celts. I value history and try to base my practices on it as much as possible.

I understand your frustration. I don't care for the fluffies either. I don't like it when they spread misinformation and refuse to objectively study that which they spout about. I especially don't like it when they talk about my gods without ever looking anything up about them. Once I had a young man tell me that he preferred not to know anything about one of my deities because he wanted to make it all up himself.


I try to be a positive influence and offer authors/links that will spark an interest in something besides Llewellyn publications. That's all that I can do. If I get angry or insult people, my point will be lost anyway. Yeah, sometimes that happens, but I really try to blow off steam privately. Luckily, the fluffies aren't the majority of the general pagan community even though at times it may feel that way. I really think that the majority want to learn about history. And liberalism.....well, I've never really understood that anyway. There are conservative pagan Yahoo groups. If you're interested, e-mail me for links.

Answer 2

Ok first you really got to change your attitude if you want anyone to listen to you and take you seriously. Then you have to stop making very broad statements that alienate you from people that may agree with parts of what you’re saying.

I too get very tired of fluffies. It drives me crazy when someone tells me something about one of my deities that is totally made up new-age bull, having nothing to do with my historical and ancient god or goddess. If the fluffies want to make a god/goddess and give it a name they can, even if that name is the same as one of my old god/goddesses. But if they claim that it is the same deity that I worship, then I get really upset.

But just because your religion does not believe in something does not mean that that is true for all religions. If they say its part of your religion and as a recon you know that it is not I can understand that it upsets you. But please do not insult my religion because it is different than yours.

I'm a conservative in most things. I agree with the Libertarian view in many things. My religious beliefs are rooted in the history, and folklore of my ancestors the Irish Celts. As such the fey are a very large part of my belief system and very real. In my religion the fey (fairies), the ancestors, and the Gods, are all given praise and honor. These are some historical facts of my religion. I consider myself a neo-pagan because although rooted in history their is so much we do not know, and must fill in with educated guesses, and because there are some things from old that cannot be done today. I appreciate how you feel, but please understand that there are many more recon paths than yours and be careful of sweeping statements.

Answer 3

notice: who says it incredibly is a lie? As for the call NEW AGE, that's the call for channeling spirits. And NEO isn't something to do with Paganism. you are able to no longer say something is new or neo if this is been around constantly. Christians and Jews concealed their thought and practices to stay alive, so what makes you think of that they are no longer neo? As on your lies you don't understand that people who carry on with the ideals interior sight human beings and Celtic cultures do no longer inevitably recommend they are following commercialized propaganda. Many are following ideals surpassed down by using their households. to assert that they are residing lies is mendacity to your self. They understand extra perfect than you what they think or no longer. It became the Christians who weaved lies approximately genuine witches and pagans spinning their very own lack of know-how to it. I study my historic previous and my pagan roots. i do no longer place self belief in the hype of pc and the ignorant. I recommend you stop pointing arms and permit those persons who understand what we are doing and what we believe to do what's sweet for us and our ancestors!

Answer 4

The problem isn't with Neo-Pagans or with any religion in general. It is possible though that the problem is the way you speak to people and your obvious need to be 'right'.

No religion is right or wrong. People will believe in what makes them feel closer to the Divine/God/Gods/Higher Power/Higher Self/etc. History is important, but it isn't the basis of religion.

Try to be more understanding and not so angry. I think you will be a better response from people.

Answer 5

Maybe you got banned 'cos you're super-angry? Or because you like to jump to conclusions?

I'm neopagan. I'm a libertarian. I study the history of my pantheon. And others. And I have never changed the gender of a God or Goddess.

Blessings,
Zimmi

Answer 6

Why is changing their beliefs so important for you? What do you have to gain from it? If 'God' is a formless being, why could It not be feminine? When they talk about Goddess, they aren't talking about Yahweh (God of the Bible), so don't get your undies all bound up.

Answer 7

I don't share your attitude,which I find intolerably disrespectful. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. However,it is interesting to note these aggressive responses - many from people who frequently attack Christianity in similarly intolerant and hostile language.

Answer 8

You're not proving beliefs wrong; you are contributing your own educated guess, which is all anybody here on Earth seems to have.

I am also Libertarian, and I don't believe in fairies.

Answer 9

Maybe you got banned because of your bad attitude.

Just a thought.

Answer 10

shall we call you the WHAAAAAAmbulance?

not all gods are male, you know.
and their fairy tales are less bloodthirsty than many mainstream ones.