(No subject)

May 16, 2003

I believe I have been terribly misinterpreted. --The few pagans I have come into contact with, usually only share their past bad experiences with some organized religions. The conversations never got so deep as to me asking what the history of their beliefs were, or what rituals they performed. I did take a psychology class once where we studied archetypes. I remember one called, "the orphan." There's many others, but it's been awhile. I also visited a bookstore and noticed that many of the archetypes were also the same names of tarot cards. I looked at books about goddesses, too. I hold different beliefs, but was grateful for being exposed to another set of beliefs.

Still being curious, especially wanting to know why so many pagans seem anti-organized religion, I explored pagan websites.-Not to find something evil, but to find answers to my questions. After finding this group, I thought I finally had a chance to get some real answers. I brought up human sacrifices only because it's what I've read about. ---Remember when I asked all those questions about heavy metal? Well, as a child, I was told metal was bad to listen to. But I was secretly attracted to metal by junior high. I wanted to know why it was so forbidden. I still have questions about it. That's why I asked about the difference between speed, death, and black metal; and how is metal related to classical music. This was my initial attempt to really understand a genre of music that I had limited access to.

I was trying to do the same thing with paganism. I only wanted to say what I had read about pagans, to see if anything could be dispelled. I am sorry it came out wrong. I am not anti-pagan, simply non-pagan.

At the same time, I find it rather odd, that rude remarks about organized religion are constantly allowed, but when I make comments about paganism, it's an atrocity. About those Christians, after Jesus died, does anyone remember how many of them were killed in arenas because they were different? Lions mauled and devoured their bodies, while men, women, and children watched and cheered the lions on. It was like a form of entertainment. Other Christians, who were trying to be like Jesus, "the light of the world," were mocked by having their bodies dipped in wax, and lit on fire. Even today, in China and I believe Sudan, as well as other countries, Christians have to have underground churches because their religion is illegal. They are persecuted-beaten, tortured, and even killed for being different. All groups of people have been persecuted over centuries and centuries. Instead of comparing body counts, (which group has had the most slayings), or focusing on who's being persecuted right now, that should be our exact reason for asking questions, and getting educated. Because ignorance breeds fear, which grows up to be hate, and hate only destroys.

My feelings were truly hurt, especially when my profession as a teacher was subjected to scrutiny. I do not think it fair to be judged so harshly based-off of one isolated incident. I am not a perfect person. I am a mere vegan, who asks many questions in an attempt to gain knowledge.

I was over-joyed to find this vegan community-so much so, that I have actually saved dozens of emails to my flopy disk. Unfortunately, it would appear that perhaps I do not have the same beliefs as many other vegans here. And diversity among us is not being celebrated enough. Should I kindly be asked to leave, I will do so-as I do not want to be where I am not wanted. However, booting me out would be closing the door on the opportunity to destroy some possible misconceptions I have about pagans. That is all I have to say.

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