Danustouch
August 11th, 2001, 11:34 AM
This is a letter I wrote to several people I know who are involved in some of the largest Pagan Organizations in Connecticut. Connecticut has a Pagan Interfaith Council, which was begun by one of my friends, and of which others of my friends were a part. There was some arguing going on about how exactly to run this council, the type of things the council should discuss, and handle, etc. Not to mention, some other personal disagreements. I felt very badly, that during a time when such a wonderful idea as a pagan interfaith council could be doing WONDERFUL things for the community...petty arguments were splitting it up. Now..I'm sure that there are a few little things that people could criticize in this letter. A few innacuracies..and btw..it was WRITTEN before the presidential election. But..I just thought I'd post it here too, since the sentiments expressed could be valid in ANY community where an exchange of ideas, paths, etc, is occuring.
***************************************************
> Dear Friends,
>
> Time and again within the Wiccan/Pagan community...I have seen personal
> opinions and feelings, hinder the progress of our Religion as a whole. Too
> often, little disagreements, personal alliances, needs, and expectations
> cloud the vision of a Religion united against predjudice, and
> misunderstanding....
>
> I am no longer in CT, no longer an active part of the wiccan community here
> in my isolated small town. Here I am a solitary, and somewhat immune to the
> small battles going on between differen't factions of the pagan community.
> However, my heart is still with you all. And I still share the dream of a
> true "community" of people who worship the Earth, and the Gods and Goddesses
> of the Old Faith.
>
> As you know, my life has been tainted by the hateful words of people I have
> met (in my case...over the net) who disagreed with one or more things that I
> have said, and have chosen to attack me on a very personal level, even going
> to extreme means in order to "ruin my name",
> or to ostracize me. I know how this feels. And I also know how frequently
> this problem arises within the pagan community. But I also know that this is
> not necessary...and that it is a personal choice whether or not to take part
> in such activities. For me, the solution was simple. Stay out of internet
> chatrooms, and like magick, the problem goes away after a while. For you, it
> will be more difficult. Choosing the path of higher ground is not always a
> clean cut case. Often, our friendships suffer small blows, because we are in
> pursuit of Justice...rather than that of defending friends. Often times, it
> means refusing to comment on others private battles, showing that you are
> simply an observer to both parties, and a listener...rather than a part of
> the battle. It is difficult at times, to hold on to your patience, in times
> that it seems most assured that something is preventing the "goal" from
> being reached.
>
> I'd like to offer this, in a way, to lend perspective to the issues at hand.
>
> In very short time, The presidential election will take place. George W.
> Bush is a very real threaght to the Pagan Community. He has already stated
> that he does not see "wicca" as a valid religion. And he time and again,
> promotes.."faith based" (primarily christian based) organizations, schools,
> etc. In light of this fact...do we really have time to allow personal
> opinions, practices, beliefs, goals, friendships, etc, get in the way of the
> higher good????
>
> Daily, we see the effects of years of damage done to the earth wreaking
> havok on our planet. Oil Spills, deforestation, global warming, pollution of
> all sorts, over population, erosion...In light of the fact that if people do
> not start trying to repair the damage done to our planet, we will no longer
> have a planet to worship on...do we really have time to allow personal
> opinions, practices, beliefs, goals, friendships, etc...to get in the way of
> the higher good???
>
> We live in a society much fueled by the media of our time. We still, after
> centuries, face the assumption that all pagans, and wiccans, worship the
> devil, and go around cursing people for fun. If we are ever to show the next
> generation a better way of life than ignorance and fear...do we really have
> time to allow personal opinions, practices, beliefs, goals, friendships,
> etc, to get in the way of a higher good???
>
> I read an article not too long ago stating that 70% of females over the age
> of 12 has experienced some sort of rape, molestation, or some sort of sexual
> abuse. I do not have the statistics of females under 12, or that of males.
> Considering these alarming statistics, and the fact that perhaps a return to
> a balanced world, not one which is primarily "patriarchal", but at balance
> with the feminine Goddess energy, could possibly, and most probably, create
> a world where women are sacred, and children precious.....do we really have
> time to allow personal opinions, practices, beliefs, goals, friendships,
> etc, to get in the way of the higher good???
>
> My friends, I suggest to you, that the most sacred ability of Humanity, is
> to be able to listen, and to have compassion. Not to one person, who seems
> to agree with all of our own personal beliefs...but to all people, because
> they, too are a part of the human race.
>
> Each person on this earth, is given the right to freely think, and to freely
> express themselves. Not by any National Law, nor by any "religious code",
> but by the mere fact that they are born with a brain. Created by the Creater
> to think, and feel, and act, for themselves.
>
> We must cherish that gift...lest we lose sight that opression of this gift
> is the very thing that we as a faith have battled against for centuries.
> True "community", means working as a whole. It means giving everyone a
> voice, and expecting everyone to have respect for the feelings and opinions
> of others. It does not mean that we have to "agree" with their opinions, or
> the way that they are expressed...but that we give everyone the chance to
> say what is on their mind. We must have faith in the individual to decide
> for him or herself, what is good, and right, and just. What to act upon,
> what to ignore. For leaders, it is a matter of guidance. Guidance, is not
> always playing the part of judge and jury, or disciplinarian, but by giving
> soft advice, and a good ear to listen.
>
> Now, remember, I am an outsider, and have not yet had a chance to take part
> in the Pagan interfaith council. However, these are thoughts that have
> weighed heavily on my heart, based on the information I have received from
> various sources. And this letter is not only geared to the Pagan Interfaith
> Council. However, toward all people who seek unity within the pagan
> community. My love, and my hope, and my prayers go out to all of you.
>
> May the God and the Goddess keep you,
>
> Blessings,
>
> Danustouch
***************************************************
> Dear Friends,
>
> Time and again within the Wiccan/Pagan community...I have seen personal
> opinions and feelings, hinder the progress of our Religion as a whole. Too
> often, little disagreements, personal alliances, needs, and expectations
> cloud the vision of a Religion united against predjudice, and
> misunderstanding....
>
> I am no longer in CT, no longer an active part of the wiccan community here
> in my isolated small town. Here I am a solitary, and somewhat immune to the
> small battles going on between differen't factions of the pagan community.
> However, my heart is still with you all. And I still share the dream of a
> true "community" of people who worship the Earth, and the Gods and Goddesses
> of the Old Faith.
>
> As you know, my life has been tainted by the hateful words of people I have
> met (in my case...over the net) who disagreed with one or more things that I
> have said, and have chosen to attack me on a very personal level, even going
> to extreme means in order to "ruin my name",
> or to ostracize me. I know how this feels. And I also know how frequently
> this problem arises within the pagan community. But I also know that this is
> not necessary...and that it is a personal choice whether or not to take part
> in such activities. For me, the solution was simple. Stay out of internet
> chatrooms, and like magick, the problem goes away after a while. For you, it
> will be more difficult. Choosing the path of higher ground is not always a
> clean cut case. Often, our friendships suffer small blows, because we are in
> pursuit of Justice...rather than that of defending friends. Often times, it
> means refusing to comment on others private battles, showing that you are
> simply an observer to both parties, and a listener...rather than a part of
> the battle. It is difficult at times, to hold on to your patience, in times
> that it seems most assured that something is preventing the "goal" from
> being reached.
>
> I'd like to offer this, in a way, to lend perspective to the issues at hand.
>
> In very short time, The presidential election will take place. George W.
> Bush is a very real threaght to the Pagan Community. He has already stated
> that he does not see "wicca" as a valid religion. And he time and again,
> promotes.."faith based" (primarily christian based) organizations, schools,
> etc. In light of this fact...do we really have time to allow personal
> opinions, practices, beliefs, goals, friendships, etc, get in the way of the
> higher good????
>
> Daily, we see the effects of years of damage done to the earth wreaking
> havok on our planet. Oil Spills, deforestation, global warming, pollution of
> all sorts, over population, erosion...In light of the fact that if people do
> not start trying to repair the damage done to our planet, we will no longer
> have a planet to worship on...do we really have time to allow personal
> opinions, practices, beliefs, goals, friendships, etc...to get in the way of
> the higher good???
>
> We live in a society much fueled by the media of our time. We still, after
> centuries, face the assumption that all pagans, and wiccans, worship the
> devil, and go around cursing people for fun. If we are ever to show the next
> generation a better way of life than ignorance and fear...do we really have
> time to allow personal opinions, practices, beliefs, goals, friendships,
> etc, to get in the way of a higher good???
>
> I read an article not too long ago stating that 70% of females over the age
> of 12 has experienced some sort of rape, molestation, or some sort of sexual
> abuse. I do not have the statistics of females under 12, or that of males.
> Considering these alarming statistics, and the fact that perhaps a return to
> a balanced world, not one which is primarily "patriarchal", but at balance
> with the feminine Goddess energy, could possibly, and most probably, create
> a world where women are sacred, and children precious.....do we really have
> time to allow personal opinions, practices, beliefs, goals, friendships,
> etc, to get in the way of the higher good???
>
> My friends, I suggest to you, that the most sacred ability of Humanity, is
> to be able to listen, and to have compassion. Not to one person, who seems
> to agree with all of our own personal beliefs...but to all people, because
> they, too are a part of the human race.
>
> Each person on this earth, is given the right to freely think, and to freely
> express themselves. Not by any National Law, nor by any "religious code",
> but by the mere fact that they are born with a brain. Created by the Creater
> to think, and feel, and act, for themselves.
>
> We must cherish that gift...lest we lose sight that opression of this gift
> is the very thing that we as a faith have battled against for centuries.
> True "community", means working as a whole. It means giving everyone a
> voice, and expecting everyone to have respect for the feelings and opinions
> of others. It does not mean that we have to "agree" with their opinions, or
> the way that they are expressed...but that we give everyone the chance to
> say what is on their mind. We must have faith in the individual to decide
> for him or herself, what is good, and right, and just. What to act upon,
> what to ignore. For leaders, it is a matter of guidance. Guidance, is not
> always playing the part of judge and jury, or disciplinarian, but by giving
> soft advice, and a good ear to listen.
>
> Now, remember, I am an outsider, and have not yet had a chance to take part
> in the Pagan interfaith council. However, these are thoughts that have
> weighed heavily on my heart, based on the information I have received from
> various sources. And this letter is not only geared to the Pagan Interfaith
> Council. However, toward all people who seek unity within the pagan
> community. My love, and my hope, and my prayers go out to all of you.
>
> May the God and the Goddess keep you,
>
> Blessings,
>
> Danustouch