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kellinatorDear Everyone Who's Whining About What a Terrible Man St. Patrick Was and How Pagans Are So Oppressed,
I was looking forward to an evening of St. Patrick's Day fun with friends, so forgive me for being a little bit cranky about all the vitriol being launched on here today.
Are we Christians supposed to spend the day apologizing for St. Patrick converting Ireland fifteen hundred years ago? I'm no expert in Druidic practices, but how do we really know that the Druids were happy-love-everybody people and St. Patrick was a jerk determined to make sure no one was having a good time? It's not as simple as pagans good/Patrick bad (nor, I suppose, as simple as Patrick good/pagans bad). Imagine you're the person who got picked for the human sacrifice and see if you still think so.
Christianity is not all about hate and oppression, no matter what Jerry Falwell tells you. It's got some good ideas about kindness to one's fellow man. Many terrible sins have been committed in the name of Christ, but much good has been done too.
A lot of people out there seem to demand toleration for everyone but Christians. I almost didn't make this post because I knew it would piss people off, but that would be denying what I feel and what I believe. If it's okay for you to express your faith, then it's okay for me to express mine. I may be a lousy excuse for a Christian, but I still am one. If you want religious toleration, I think that's terrific, but you ought to have some for the Christians too. We progressive Christians have got enough to worry about with retaking our faith from the Pharisees currently in charge without having to constantly apologize for being Christian.
And I'm fucking terrified of snakes, so St. Patrick, you're okay in my book.
I was looking forward to an evening of St. Patrick's Day fun with friends, so forgive me for being a little bit cranky about all the vitriol being launched on here today.
Are we Christians supposed to spend the day apologizing for St. Patrick converting Ireland fifteen hundred years ago? I'm no expert in Druidic practices, but how do we really know that the Druids were happy-love-everybody people and St. Patrick was a jerk determined to make sure no one was having a good time? It's not as simple as pagans good/Patrick bad (nor, I suppose, as simple as Patrick good/pagans bad). Imagine you're the person who got picked for the human sacrifice and see if you still think so.
Christianity is not all about hate and oppression, no matter what Jerry Falwell tells you. It's got some good ideas about kindness to one's fellow man. Many terrible sins have been committed in the name of Christ, but much good has been done too.
A lot of people out there seem to demand toleration for everyone but Christians. I almost didn't make this post because I knew it would piss people off, but that would be denying what I feel and what I believe. If it's okay for you to express your faith, then it's okay for me to express mine. I may be a lousy excuse for a Christian, but I still am one. If you want religious toleration, I think that's terrific, but you ought to have some for the Christians too. We progressive Christians have got enough to worry about with retaking our faith from the Pharisees currently in charge without having to constantly apologize for being Christian.
And I'm fucking terrified of snakes, so St. Patrick, you're okay in my book.
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Re: AMEN SISTER!
Date: 2005-03-17 09:26 pm (UTC)Most pagans who wear identifying jewelry are told (by other Pagans who already seen the effects) to keep it under their clothing - which is what I normally do from time to time.
Our local metaphysical shop - run by Wiccans - has to keep a sign on the door that says "We have the right to practice our religion and are accepting of other religions as well" because they are always getting flack.
I am fascinated by the teachings of the Gnostics and have recently enrolled in some online classes to better familiarize myself with their teachings.
Re: AMEN SISTER!
Date: 2005-03-17 09:37 pm (UTC)My husband and I have recently began studying Gnosticism; it's all fascinating to us, as we were raised Church of Christ, so it's very new and mysterious.
Re: AMEN SISTER!
Date: 2005-03-17 09:47 pm (UTC)IMO, Paganism and Gnosticism can easily go hand in hand. Most Pagans I know don't actually believe in deities, but use the myths of the Gods/Goddesses to live by. Joseph Campbell's idea of the tales that modern day religions are founded on were merely tales used to explain the transcedental is kinda how I view spirituality.
And since the definition of Pagan is someone who is neither Christian, Jewish or Buddhist - there's a LOT of ground to cover. :D