Speaking of belief structures...

[pat]

I have a question for my pagan friends that has been bugging me since early December.

I know that many of the "Christmas" symbols: trees, wreaths, holly, mistletoe, etc. were appropriated from pagans. (Even the date... wasn't it originally the day bulls were sacrificed to Mithras?) There are some Christian sects who reject such things because of their pagan origins.

And my question, asked in all seriousness, sincerity, and with the humble recognition of my own ignorance is... how do pagans feel about this? Do they snicker? Are they offended? Angered? Exasperated? I know that when people appropriate Christian symbology for other uses it makes me at best uncomfortable and at most angry depending upon the nature ot the (mis)use.

And does it depends upon the nature of the pagan belief? I've come to understand that there are many differing varieties of paganism, and I am unfortunately ignorant on the differences between them.

Comments

[griffen.livejournal.com]

my question, asked in all seriousness, sincerity, and with the humble recognition of my own ignorance is... how do pagans feel about this? Do they snicker? Are they offended? Angered? Exasperated? I know that when people appropriate Christian symbology for other uses it makes me at best uncomfortable and at most angry depending upon the nature ot the (mis)use.

I find it amusing, for the most part -- yet another example of the lack of knowledge about the history of those traditions. I have also known pagans who are exasperated, and a very few who are offended (usually the fundamentapagan types). It depends on the pagan and on the tradition they follow.

My approach is eclectic, meaning I take what works from each tradition. In fact, although this may surprise people, I even venerate Jesus. I just don't venerate him the way Christians do. I celebrate what he taught during his life. (His death -- er, that's squicky, don't want to go there. Suffice to say my views about that event are very different from that of most Christians I know.)

And does it depends upon the nature of the pagan belief? I've come to understand that there are many differing varieties of paganism, and I am unfortunately ignorant on the differences between them.

Absolutely it depends on the nature of the pagan belief. Take me, an eclectic. Then ask a Gardnerian Wiccan. Then ask an Asatruar. Then ask a Dianic Wiccan. Dig up a Druid and ask them, too. And while you're at it, go find a Greek reconstructionist pagan. Find a family-tradition witch, and ask him too. Toss a kitchen witch into the mix. Then ask a...

It's like asking the same question of a Seventh-Day Adventist, a Methodist, an Episcopalian, a Greek Orthodox Christian, a Gnostic, a liberal nondenominational Christian, a born-again fundamentalist, a Roman Catholic, and a Southern Baptist. They're all Christians, right? Are they going to give you the same answer? Heck no.

Paganism also has many denominations. We just call them "traditions" instead of "denominations." One of the sayings I've heard is "ask three pagans, get five answers." Another one is "Trying to organize pagans is like trying to herd cats."

The best place I can think of for information about paganism is Witchvox. - http://www.witchvox.com -- and I recommend it. Highly.

I hope this helps.

Thanks....

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

This was very helpful. I've been meaning to find out more about the various traditions of paganism, not so much because I am changing my beliefs, but so I can listen respectfully and intelligently when others talk about theirs. I also need to learn more about Eastern religions for the same reasons.