How many pagans do public service?

Question

I just read an answer to a question about how selfish pagans are and it's not the first time I've heard it.
I know a Heathen who is/was a volunteer fireman near NYC during 911
I know another pagan who is a nurse
Two more who are teachers
I am a stay at home mother.
I donate to St Jude, do clothing drives for abused women's shelters and donate my toys to the childrens advocacy center...
Where in all of that are we selfish?

Tsk tsk Grafton Mathew 3
Speak to the point or be still;
For rudeness none | shall rightly blame thee
Hovamol verse 19 (Bellows tr)

For you to say that means you know nothing of the pagan faiths. You have made a fool of yourself and made your fellow Christians look bad. Tsk tsk

Matthew 7:3...forgot the 7

Ok I finally stopped laughing enough to type this. Grafted: so by calling oneself a "warrior" then they are ignorant pagans? What about all those "Warriors of God" out there? I even saw in Veggietales for the sake of the gods. Are they all ignorant rapist as well? How.....interesting. I'll pass that one.
Survival of the fittest. Well yes that pagas from 3000 years ago went by that. It was HUMAN not pagan. And guess what?!?!! Christians are human too! At one time were ALL lived by survival of the fittest.
Ok..I have to go back to pointing and laughing. Your ignorance is intrigueing and you prove our point FAR better then we could. Have a lovely evening. Don't let the pagans eat you.

DS M then that covers every religion on the face of the planet. This post was not about being right. I could care less if people think my religion is right or wrong. My point was that there are just as many giving people in paganism as there are in any other religion.

Answer 1

I am a member of a Marine Corps League Detachment and I am part of Toys for Tots in our area (major volunteer, lots of time) and part of the Honors Detail - we provide military honors for funerals of veterans here in the mountains. * I am a Red Cross volunteer and have gone out on 3 hurricanes and have been "on alert" for fires, floods, and more hurricanes. * We donate time to my cousins church (when in the area) * I've been on phone hot-lines * I've been a public speaker on paganism and gay/lesbian issues *

maybe more - it was a long list last year when I thought about it. We don't have money (I'm disabled and care for my disabled mother - she's worse off than I am) - they don't pay much to disabled vets. So, we donate me - LOL

Answer 2

Being eclectic is like I'm on my own private island. (Not really applicable there, unless it involves my responsibilities to everyone. This would basically be a good, helpful, and kind person. Also to not mis-represent myself or others.) However, I do get lonely and have attended a few public rituals with a local Grove. They are part of ADF, if you care. I've been contemplating getting membership with them. I looked at their page to try and answer your question, but nothing was spelled out. I think the Senior Druid, or someone else, can legally marry people. They are whatever-whatever certified so they are recognized as a church and can accept donations and such. They hold ritual on saturday mornings as well as high days, and most are public. They offer a Dedicants Program which mainly involves researching and writing papers to better understand your religion. I'm not thinking of much else that they offer, though I'm probably spacing much. Another group that I've been a lurker on and would have membership with if I had more time also has a prison outreach. Not so much anymore, but for a long time they were the main ones educating people about Wicca in my area. They hold a lot of events like festables, pot-lucks, adult education classes, and a few rituals. They also have a monthly news letter that is interesting. Their main objective now is to network local Pagan Groups and some buisnesses. I know atleast two of the Directors last year were certified to do weddings. EDIT: oh, the first group is mostly Druid, but a lot of Pagans like their Dedicants Program and community so not all are Druid. The second is a Wiccan and Pagan network and the Board of Directors are elected. wow.. I think I ramboled into the IDC and TMI section. EDIT to add: the leaders would be the ones organizing, putting on, and leading events and publications as well as incharge of legalitites.

Answer 3

Doing public service doesn't prove the world view of your religion. There are people in every religion who don't follow the beliefs of that religion.

Selfish can be a matter of orientation or perspective. And because you do for others doesn't prove you aren't selfish.

If you say,

"I am not selfish, therefore, my stated religion isn't selfish" doesn't follow the logical cause and effect sequence....unless you are the founder of your religion and the religion was based on you. In that case, the religion would be based around the person's self proving that person is self centered and therefore, undeniably selfish.

If you are not the founder of your religion and you are not selfish, then you would have to prove your religion demands you not to be selfish. Otherwise, you are being selfish by demanding others to believe you because you place your need to be right above the other's need to have your words independantly verified.

Most of the people on this list have placed their need to be right over the other's person's need of validation. So yes, most answering are selfish even though they claim they aren't.

And because they are selfish, they will be the ones saying "I am the one who isn't selfish" but the rest are....again, proving that person is too selfish to consider if he/she is.

Answer 4

I'm also surprised people would think pagans are selfish. I'm a substitute teacher, who gets paid little, but does it to help the kids and teachers. I also volunteer at our local domestic violence shelter with my time, I donate to March of Dimes and various charities, buy a present for a needy child every year from the local angel tree, donate and help collect for food drives, an on and on. Maybe people think that pagans have big organizations like churches, and expect them to do big things, like organizations full of like minded people are able to do. The beauty of paganism is that it's full of small sects, so people who claim that pagans are selfish really need to take that into consideration and look at that fact!

Answer 5

I don't think I'm selfish at all. I just see spirituality in a different way from other people; that doesn't make me any less moral or altruistic. Oh, sure, there are selfish pagans out there, just as there are selfish Christians. My actions are limited due to finances and disability, so I can't do all the things I want to do. But that doesn't keep me from doing whatever good I can.

I care for a local feral cat colony and make sure they have shelter and food, especially in the winter months. I often babysit for my brother's friend's baby, free of charge. (Both parents have to work and can't afford child care.) I donate anything I can't use anymore to a group that helps disabled veterans. I am not a wealthy person, but whatever I have, I share. Whatever kindness or comfort I can offer, I give freely. It's nothing grand, but it is from the heart.

Answer 6

When I lived in the capital city, I worked in a dog pound as a volunteer for over a year. Does that count?
I would gladly still do something like that, but there's no animal shelters or similar institutions where I live now. There's a senior citizen home, but they have lots of employed personnel and they don't really like outsider people poking around if you're not a relative.
I'm an art teacher by education. I own a small art company, and often when I have some leftover material (paper, paint...) I donate it to the local kinder garden.

Edit: LOL which sad fundie a55hole was playing with his 9 spare accounts, giving all the pagans thumbs-down?

Answer 7

Well.
As a Heathen, I donate what I can. I know other Heathens who donate blood (is there any higher public service other than those pagans and Heathens who give their lives for their community?).

And wow... this "Johnny" fellow sure has 1GraftedIn in a tizzy, doesn't he?

Too funny.

--Edit--
Glee?
When did I say anything about your religion's foundation? Or the foundation of anyone else's religion for that matter?
Might want to check who you're griping at before you start griping.

Answer 8

I am a massage therapist who donates blood regularly, donates toys to charity drives and food to food drives. I also have taken in persons who were homeless (even some who later stole from me or my family)

The Delphic Maxims (of which I will quote only 16 of about 150) include the ethical standards by which many of us live:

1. Nothing Too Much
2. Know Thyself
3. Aid Friends
4. Control Anger
5. Shun Unjust Acts
6. Acknowledge Sacred Things
7. Hold on to Learning
8. Praise Virtue
9. Avoid Enemies
10. Cultivate Kinsmen

11. Pity Supplicants ---- This is the one that DIRECTLY applies to the issue of public service

12. Accomplish Your Limit
13. When You Err, Repent
14. Consider the Time
15. Worship the Divine
16. Accept old Age

Answer 9

We all get selfish at times, that makes us people. It's not just pagans. that are selfish it's everyone else

Answer 10

All of them I know are active in their community. Each does their own part. For me, I can tell you my Pagan family has donated time and money to:
Habitat for Humanity
Animal Rescues and Shelters
The homeless (who have even been known to crash at my place.)
We have fostered, trained, healed and re-homed abused and abandoned animals on our own as well.
UNICEF
Planned Parenthood
Local domestic crisis centers
We've been a therapeutic placement for foster children
I am helping to form a mentoring group for school age girls
I have helped with several fund raisers for local charities.
We give to food banks, coat drives, etc.
We almost always get an angel of the giving tree this time of year.
My husband's work is always split between helping the mentally disabled and the sick. It is his calling.
After Katrina I helped some friends round up housing, furniture and supplies for a couple who was stranded here in town. We are still in touch.
Pretty much, I don't pass up a creature in need if I have the means to help them without harming myself or my family. There is always a sensible limit to charity. But for us, it does not begin in November and end in January. It is a constant state. We do this, because we know if everyone pitched in, even a little, the world would be a far better place. We cannot imagine living any other way. I'm sure I’ll be accused of bragging by the same people who claim Pagan's are selfish, but I'm not answering this for their benefit anyway. I know they will continue to demonize no matter what I do or say. I'm answering this for other Pagans, so that they know they are not alone and those haters are ignorant of the facts. I hope this helps them ignore the critics.
EDIT: Anybody notice all the thumbs downs we're getting for doing public service? Could it be that some Christians are so bigoted that they actually disapprove of our good deeds? Or do they just hate us this blindly? What’s a matter thumbs downers, can't take the challenge to your demented world view? Does your disapproval actually imply you'd RATHER we be drug addled sex fiends and baby eaters? Still you can't leave a comment saying so, can you? It is a bit too un-Christ like. Sick sick sick.
EDIT: Garath, you have no understanding of the foundations of mine or any other Pagan's faith. All you have are your pitiful cries in the dark. You seem to be trying to link relatively new scientific discoveries to age’s old faiths and practices, then somehow blaming Pagans for all war and crime. You have been given historical reference for at least two Pagan faiths in this Q&A that show otherwise and you have chosen to completely disregard them. You’ve been given personal accounts of kindness and empathy, but you refuse to see this as anything but direct opposition from our religions, though you’ve shown no knowledge of any Pagan religion. This is your dark speculation. This is utter nonsense! You are drunk with your hate and ignorance. I'm sorry for your deep unhappiness and the hell you have chosen to dwell in. Peace.

Answer 11

I'm a pagan Witch.

I teach ESL to immigrant and refugee adults in a public adult school that is free to the public. I am also an attorney, and I gave up practicing law to go back to school to become a teacher and make $33 an hour now. The work I do now is important and fulfilling to me on a personal level, but it doesn't pay like practicing law. Do I regret it? Never, not for a heartbeat.

I am an active giver to a charity called the Heifer Project, which takes contributions and buys animals like goats and cows and chickens and bees and lambs and pigs for third world families to help them rebuild their lives.

I loan money through Kiva, a micro loan corporation that facilitates loans to people in need who want to start or expand their own businesses. They pay back the loans, and you can re-invest in others if you like, and it is a fantastic way to help individuals to be entrepreneurs and make a living in this world.

I donate clothes and food to local charities and food banks. I buy books for my students when they can't afford them and have no clue as to where to get them, or even what to get.

This is a wonderful question my friend. We pagans do a world of good, not to mention all the work we do toward saving our planet, recycling, educating others about global warming, and trying to unite with all in an effort to spread the "green" word.

We should all do SOMETHING , even if it is to buy a cup of coffee for that poor old soul who is shivering in the cold outside a movie theater. He is cold, reach out your hand to help.

Bright Blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(