This might be me whining... or... not?

[angelak]

Ever feel like just because you're a "pagan" folks occassionally don't take it as seriously as they might take some sort of Christian faith?

I have nothing against Christianity - it's just that sometimes it feels like folks are more willing to actually accept what middle-of-the-road Christians say, opposed to middle-of-the-road-pagans.
As though it's some sort of "gimmick," or maybe something lighter and not as lifestyle oriented as per se, Christianity, even though in actuality it is every bit and much the same in it's own rite - it falls whole-heartedly under the category of "Lifestyle."

I'm not sure. Maybe this doesn't make sense.
I just had to get it off my chest. Every once and a while at work I run into these things.

They have no idea they're putting me off because they don't REALIZE what they're doing.
It's hard to express into words, really.
It makes sense in person.
Whatever the case.
It doesn't bother me to a frothing annoyance, or anything.
Sometimes I just feel put-off and not taken seriously about my faith.

All that really matters is what it is to me, and I know that.

-Angela

Comments

[herongrrrl.livejournal.com]

I hear you. I so hear you. I think a lot of people don't consider it a "real" religion. I remember once I was sitting a table for the Pagan student group at a student org fair at UW, and someone came up and started asking me questions. I gave her a short explanation and she said "Oh, so you don't worship the regular god?" >tears hair out

oh, good!

[ithisia.livejournal.com]

It's hard to put into words and I was hoping I wasn't being oddly hypersensitive.
:D
-Angela

[chinchillagirl.livejournal.com]

I completely know what you mean. I get it too... It's one of the many things which makes me rather reluctant to discuss my religion (or whatever you want to call it...) to anyone that isn't expressedly the same.

But... "All that really matters is what it is to me, and I know that." I agree. It's what keeps me from ripping my hair out or something.

[moshker.livejournal.com]

"And though I am a committed Christian, I believe that everyone has the right to their own religion, be you Hindu, Jewish or Muslim. I believe there are infinite paths to accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior." -- Stephen Colbert (White House correspondents dinner, May 29, 2006). He was satirizing GW's "acceptance" of other religions.

I totally know what you are talking about, and I completely sympathize.

I think that there are a lot of tepid Pagan people that follow it as a phase. I think this behavior waters down the "brand" and dilutes people's respect for it. It is also a new agey touchy feely seeming kind of thing. Something that isn't tremendously popular with mainstream culture at the moment.

Mormons often are discriminated against by other faiths, and this isn't isolated. Most sects, christian and non-christian alike receive varying respect. Even faiths that can concretely and consistently describe what they are about... something that seems difficult for the pagan community.

now you're making me feel like a Bad Pagan

[quetz.livejournal.com]

...and there are also many of us who believe what we believe, but do not let those beliefs take over our entire lives. Just as there are many people who describe themselves as "Christian" who only go to church on Christmas and Easter, there are many of us who can articulate our belief systems, but simply aren't asked. It's not a topic that comes up often in conversation, until one encounters those whose life is centered around their beliefs.

I do see many people who become Pagan as a reaction against the mainstream, and I agree these delegitimatize us to some degree, but that's not quite the same thing.

Re: now you're making me feel like a Bad Pagan

[ithisia.livejournal.com]

Or it comes up when you're close to a group of people.
As I am in this workplace environment.

Tight-knit, so to speak.
Though, as a close knit group - we differ dramatically in faiths and are generally all over the board. And 93% of the time, we're all very open and accepting.

As for severity in how faith is incorporated in life - well, we all do it our own way.
After all, we each have our own paths.
This really wasn't a matter of being asked; nor is it really about "speaking" about religion. This is more an attitude/undertone idea. Though I also see what you're referring to, and completely understand that too. I get it. I get that each and every one of us, and it is not limited to the black and white of "those who allow beliefs to run their lives," and "those who don't," - feels the need to incorporate our beliefs into our lives at varying levels.

This is clear. I think it goes without saying. And it is no small fact that it varies for each of us even depending on what is going on in our lives even. (You know, sometimes people will go through a lot of growth and change and fall back on their spirituality, verses other times when they are more preoccupied with education, career, romance, what have you.)

On this clause:

I'm not sure how I could make you feel like a "bad," pagan - I'm really a little lost on that one. Also - I'd be a little hard pressed to say that my beliefs take over my "entire," life. It isn't as though I limit my associations with friends and lovers to just "pagan," friends or "pagan," lovers - or even family association. I talk about paganism when it comes up, or to people who need to understand how it fits into my life (for instance, to friends and lovers.)

The fact that I do take my spirituality seriously - and I do incorporate it into my lifestyle, is not necessarily "taking over my life." At the same time, it DOES change how I view the world and my perceptions. Just as any spirituality does. It is an integral part of world view.

Interesting thread, that's for sure. :)

Hope all is well in your corner of the world! See you soon, hopefully!!!

-Angela

Re: now you're making me feel like a Bad Pagan

[moshker.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I follow you.

You are disagreeing with my vaguely laid out points?

Re: now you're making me feel like a Bad Pagan

[ithisia.livejournal.com]

No - I was responding to the person who replied to me under your post.
That essay had nothing to do with your post ;)
Sorry about that! hehehe.

-Angela

Re: now you're making me feel like a Bad Pagan

[moshker.livejournal.com]

I heart you.

Re: now you're making me feel like a Bad Pagan

[moshker.livejournal.com]

Chop chop.

Speedy responder.

Yeah, I got that. I was responding to their vaguely laid out points... not yours ;)

O

Re: now you're making me feel like a Bad Pagan

[ithisia.livejournal.com]

:D

-Angela

[dlowber.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, bro. All the Mormon discrimination is just jealousy over the whole polyamorous thing.

Maybe that's why non-radical Muslims are so accepting of other religions. They've got the multiple women AND the hash, so they really have nothing to worry about.