Paganism, Manifest Destiny or Self Efficacy?

[cassy_g]

I recently told a friend, that although I attend a pagan community meeting once a week to every other week, that at times I felt out of place, because I do not consider myself to be pagan, nor have I for quite some time. I recognize this is strictly an internal feeling of displacement as the people there have never treated me anything other than kindly. However, this internal feeling is what has lead me to write the following.



Pagan.

Literally defined it means "heathen; a follower of a polytheistic religion; one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods; an irreligious or hedonistic person".

A word wrapped inside many negative connotations through sheer definition alone. A word that doesn't accurately reflect the non-Judeo-Christian community. A word that was initially used disparagingly, yet, a word that has been openly embraced by non-Judeo-Christians as a self-proclamation against the Judeo-Christian philosophy.

I question deeply the prudence of this label.

It draws a metaphorical line in the sand, seperating one side from the other and declares "if you aren't with us, you are against us". Is this not contrary to a goal of tolerance for those that follow a different path? Does the very nature of the word not diminish the value of those who follow a non-Judeo-Christian path?

I would be interested in hearing the thoughts and feelings on this from those who do consider themselves to be "pagan".

Comments

[jollyroger13.livejournal.com]

I will definitely write more upon this later, but now we are leaving for some weekend camping. This subject interests me greatly, and I love an exchange of ideas.

Hope you have a terrific weekend!

[dire-epiphany.livejournal.com]

Have a great time and stay safe!

[chalice66.livejournal.com]

Pagan is a label. Labels can be useful and/or detrimental, depending on how you use them. If we stop after the first defintion, "heathen; a follower of a polytheistic religion", then it suites me to a tee. I think it damages me when intolerant people, who are in many cases grossly misinformed, judge me by this label before discussing what it means to me.

If I were to reject the label of pagan, even though it is at least partially correct where I'm concerned, then what words should I use? People, for some unknown reason, need words to describe who and what they are. I don't find it contrary to my personal ethic of tolerance to label myself pagan. I feel that I can still be accepting of all paths, even while I define myself with words more specific to me.

But to get back to the top of your post, this pagan group that you attend (cough,cough) I think I know something of them. :-) And I can say without a doubt that this is not a group for just pagans. The group is intended for people of all faiths (or even atheists)who want to talk about pagan subjects and pagan paths. Membership in any of those paths is NOT required and dissenting view points are welcome and encouraged, so long as everyone can be polite. In short, you don't have to be a pagan to come. You do have to enjoy being in the company of pagans and talking about pagan topics though, or it could be a pretty boring evening. :-)

[dire-epiphany.livejournal.com]

Oh, I completely agree that they are more than just pagans. And as I said, I feel that any sort of anxiety or distance I feel is completely an internal thing. I think for the most part your group is a wonderful place to learn and explore ideas.

And honestly, that's what I am doing with this - exploring the idea that perhaps the labels we chose for ourselves brings about negative reactions from people even if we don't intend it to be that way.

I agree, people on a whole, do seem to need to have a label, for themselves, for objects, for others, for just about everything. Ironically, the word gentile is a more accurate definition, except that the Christians decided that it fit them and the original meaning of the word was forever changed.

And therein, lies the question - do you think that it is possible for us to change the definition of the word pagan, through our actions and inactions?

Further, while I certainly know you well enough to know that by calling yourself pagan you specifically are not drawing a line in the sand between yourself and the Judeo-Christian philosophy, how do you specifically feel about the community at large in this aspect?

Do you feel that those who chose to label themselves as pagan without dually considering the implications and meanings of such a label harm the community, and thereby harm you?

I feel I need to say, I am not asking these questions to put down your beliefs, or any other person's for that matter. I question because it is how I learn and develop my own opinions and insights.

By the very nature of my own beliefs, all concepts are based on one aspect vs another aspect. Please understand, I am speaking of the concept of paganism, not the reality of it.

[peateandrepeat.livejournal.com]

My response is far too long to post here, so all who are interested see my post "The label of 'pagan'".