A morning grumble...

[msfledermaus]

The other day while I was running around at the Jade Mines I ran into a couple with pentacles around their necks. It wasn't really busy, so I complimented them and we got on the topic of being Pagan. Turns out the guy in the couple did the tombstone for the Pagan soldier whose family had to fight to get his religious symbol onto his stone. I remembered the protests at the capitol and said so and he told me I really should come to the Upper Midwestern Pagan Association meetings. I mentioned I'd thought about it but that I've been a busy creature...
"Well, make time!" He growled. "Get yourself out of the broom closet!"

At the time I was a bit annoyed that he assumed because he didn't know me that I'm not involved in things. How could he know that I've been with my coven for seven years and counting? I think about getting more organised, but I often get irritated by the "More magick than thou" folks who feel they have something to prove...it's sometimes easier to just be with friends...the lazy way out, I know:/

Anyway, gotta motor! That bus isn't going to catch itself!

Comments

[autodidactic.livejournal.com]

Fuck him and his assumptions. Pagans are the WORST for that.

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

True fact...The last couple of time I ran into other Pagan folk, they grilled me about my practices to reassure themselves that they were more...whatever they thought they were...than I was. I was amused and irritated at the same time. Even in New York it was like that in a shop I'd gone to visit *facepalm*

I know there's lots of cool folks with similar belief systems, but it seems to me that if I'm running into a stranger, 95 percent of the time they behave like that to me.(And definitely others.) At least Roger at Magus and the nice lady at Eye of Horus are always gracious and delighted to see me on my infrequent visits, so that cheers me up a lot...

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Yes. Well, you have to remember something my dear - yes, I get upset by the "more magick than thou' folks, as well, but they're fighting to be HEARD. One of the people I associate with fought and fought and FOUGHT for years to allow the incarcerated in the local jail to be able to have Tarot cards - because they are religious items. Maybe the guy you were speaking with is one of those activists and you pushed one of his buttons without meaning to. The more people who stand up for Paganism, the more recognized it is. And the less people like the family of the Pagan soldier will have to fight for their rights.

Okay, that's enough sermonette for today.

*fret*

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

I can understand the fighting to be heard--I lived in Montana for 3 years, where it was definitely *not* okay to be Pagan, and I was out of the broom closet anyway. There's a lot of intolerance, and I have a lot of respect for the more visible activists. I am supportive and do what I can to be seen and heard, because I respect what they're doing. I'm out at work, out to my family, and am not afraid to stick up for alternative religious views.

My issue is not about people fighting to be heard, it's usually somebody who's making sure *I* know that they're magical path is better than mine. It's a dominance play, and I get annoyed when I run into it over and over. It's one of the things that keeps me from socializing more with others of my religious persuasion--I feel like I have to keep proving that I'm a Real Pagan to people I don't even know:/

Re: *fret*

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Ah. See, that's the trouble with email, I can't see your face or your body language.

I understand. And totally agree with you.