I'm so frustrated right now

[Cake-eating_Moth]

I'm not going to make this long. I'm just frustrated. Has anyone ever had problems with other "witches", "pagans", etc. betraying you? Your trust?

I just ... hate it when what one would consider religious kin - even people into their 40's (supposed to be mature ... okay, yes, I'm referring to someone this age) ends up utterly betraying you out of selfish greed.

No wonder I've been solitary since I've discovered this path ... there are too many stupid people on it.

Sorry to offend - but really, share some experiences now; I just hope it will help me feel less alone about this whole situation, and maybe help others feel not-so-alone as well.

[Theres]

people are stupid everywhere.
don't expect that to change just because someone picks up a Llewelyn book in the New Age section of Border's.

i used to believe in Gardner's "bright young things", but i've come to see that as one of my more naive notions.

[dragoncrone]

Yes, there are devious clueless folk wandering the Path with us...and all the more disappointing when they betray our trust. _wedgie_

Sigh. Karma will come around to them. :hahugh:

[Lunacie]

Yes, I've been betrayed by other Pagans, members of my first coven actually. They were both in their 40's and should have been more responsible and honest, with themselves and with me. Too bad being Pagan doesn't cure stupidity and greediness, eh.

I've also been betrayed by people who weren't Pagan.

[morningstar2651]

Yes, I have. Quite a few, actually.

This essay (http://home.mn.rr.com/bichaunt/Trolls/index.html) is very useful for preventing and handling some problems in groups, but it isn't a perfect solution.

[Isilriel]

I don’t think any path is immune to the greedy/stupid/untrustworthy etc., though having something as important as spiritual practice in common with other people does make them seem to be “more like us” and worthy of our trust, at least on a superficial level.

Have never been betrayed by anyone in my own path before myself, but I tend to be extremely careful about who I put my trust into on the first place, Pagan or not.
Sorry this happened to you. :/

[HadouKen24]

I might like a person more because they're pagan. I don't think I'd trust them more.

This kind of betrayal hasn't happened to me yet, but I've heard of it happening too often to let my guard down.

[Meadhbh]

Like other people have said people are still going to be people no matter what they believe. Just because some one becomes or is a pagan doesn't make them this wonderfull person when they weren't before they became pagan.

[Elderbush]

Like other people have said people are still going to be people no matter what they believe. Just because some one becomes or is a pagan doesn't make them this wonderfull person when they weren't before they became pagan.

Well said!

:cheers:

[Sobeq]

There are jerks in every faith. The Judeo-Christian religions don't have a monopoly on them. Becoming Pagan doesn't change someone's character and personality, just their religion.

[akewa]

I think pagan path attract many that do not have a high moral code. In the past few years I have run into many adults that are new to the pagan way that think nothing of lieing, cheating or stealing as well as back stabbing. Yes, I have run into these types outside of paganism but it seems it is easier to find them in the pagan paths than out of them. It is also not related to age either. These people will always blame someone else for their problems when confronted.

[Philosophia]

I think many people forget that pagans are also human. We aren't "above" anybody and none of us are perfect. There are idiots everywhere, in every path, country, religion, etc.. Nobody is immune to the "stupid" virus. :)

[RhiannynWildseed]

Yes, Pagans can be just as untrustworthy and the next person, but one thing that is really sad is when a "fellow pagan" uses your spirituality to betray you.

I work with a woman that professed to be Wiccan. We got along fairly well, but then I also became friends with another woman that she wasn't getting along with too well. She got (and is still) jealous and decided to tell all of our coworkers that I'm a bad witch and am casting spells on them. One of the girls went and told her mother what the woman told her, and the mother came into work looking for me to whoop my tail. Fortunately, her daughter told her that she didn't believe it and to let her handle it. She came to me and talked to me, and we cleared the air, so now she's telling everyone else this woman has spread rumors to that it's not true.

But this woman is going around after professing to be a pagan, but she's going on about how she "used" to be one, but now she's "seen the light." Pretty sad.