"Pagan" Is Smart? Depends!

[Guest080312-1]

Reading this post by Exotic Reya,

http://www.eccie.net/showpost.php?p=...8&postcount=18

I got a chuckle out of her comment:

=btw pagan guy we have something in commen being pagan is the smart thing to do

Over the years, I've heard a persistent rumor about an officer (an Academy grad, if I recall correctly) who in the '90's was a sharp, "rising star" in my line of work -- and who was also a devotee of Wicca: her "rising star" came to a screeching halt when the authorities discovered her dancing naked, under the light of the full moon, in Garden of the Gods Park, Colorado Springs.

That was one time when "being pagan" was NOT the smart thing to do. Wouldn't have minded "doing" her, though!

[Guest081519]

Some Pagans are smart, so are some Atheists, and Christians, and Muslims... You get my point. One's intelligence cannot be measured by what religion one follows.

What is important is that we get along and be kind to one another.

That is the smart thing to do.

[Guest080312-1]

Originally Posted by JJ

Some Pagans are smart, so are some Atheists, and Christians, and Muslims... You get my point. One's intelligence cannot be measured by what religion one follows.

What is important is that we get along and be kind to one another.

That is the smart thing to do.

JJ, on an entirely serious note, I agree. Sounds as if you and I share a disgust with religious fanatics.

My original point was simply to share a story about a humorous incident. I have fantasies about catching Colleen in the moonlight myself!

[Guest081519]

I do have a serious disgust with religious fanatics. If we all were all more tolerant as a species, we could move to make a better life for all.

I am an idealist, but I am also realist (I know, I'm complicated). I know that we all cannot get along. I know that we all have to fight for resources. Religion is just another tool to move the masses to accomplish a mutual goal. My beef is that we often use religion to excuse doing horrible things to one-another.

[Guest080312-1]

Originally Posted by JJ

My beef is that we often use religion to excuse doing horrible things to one-another.

All right, we're getting wa-a-ay off-topic from my original intent, but I do feel the need to shout a hearty "AMEN" (pun entirely intended) to your statement!

You NAILED it when you used the word "excuse." A year or two ago, I saw a graphic, disturbing movie, The Stoning of Soraya M., about a true incident that occurred in Iran. A woman was wrongly accused of adultery, and subjected to the Sharia Law penalty of stoning to death, all because her scumbag ex-husband needed an EXCUSE to shirk his child support responsibilities and marry the girlfriend he'd been boinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbczeOf81TQ

[Guest081519]

Amen indeed. Sorry, sometimes I get a little preachy (pun intended).

[PaganGuy]

Hmm seems I've been called out, or insulted.. or something...
or not...
I dispise fanatics as well andam certainly not one.. my faith is part of who I am and how I live my life but is certainly no more the defining extent of my being any more than being one who does what we do defines any of us and obscures all other of our interests and deeds.
There are certainly flakes, freaks and fools among my kind.. and every kind. We're far far less likely than others to start wars or instigate massive protests against people of different lifestyles or knock on people's doors trying to convert them (actually evangelizing is one of the very few things most of us consider 'forbidden', much perferring someone find their way to this path of their own free will and conscious decision.)
Most of us dance naked in private, secluded places but in perspective I find the woman in your example's actions far less offensive than someone shouting Bible verses through a megaphone or burning crosses or what have you.

and I guess thanks for the compliment Reya...blessed be.

[flinde]

Times have changed Gary. I think they got a Wiccan chaplain or two, rest of chaplains trained in Wiccan services:

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/your...Mil_Pagans.htm

And they are allowing Wiccan stuff on the military headstones.

I dont know if the chaplains are required to dance naked in moonlight when conducting Wiccan services. If they told me, they would have to sacrifice me.

[oldtiger]

Being openly pagan in the military is a great way to marginalize your own career. This isn't speculation, this is experience.

I find the surge in evangelical Christianity to be disturbing, however it is a simple truth and reality in the military.

Fortunately my flavor of paganism doesn't require naked outdoor dancing, I just do because I like to...

[the old one]

OT, you "find the surge in evangelical Christianity disturbing"? Christianity is what most of the world is founded upon, what our country is based on and you find it disturbing. It is disturbing that someone would feel this way.

[Likinikki]

I hate to say it, but most of our holidays and some religious ceremonies have PAGAN beginnings. I kinda like dancing nekkid in the moonlight...of course, that's AFTER a few martinis! (lol)

the olld one...What I find to be disturbing are all the religious zealots...the so called *Christians* who protest the funerals of our fallen soldiers! Just to give you an idea of what a hypocrit some of them are...read this:

"Phelps-Roper said the group was protesting ..the morality of the military. Phelps-Roper said she thought the funeral was an ideal time to protest at Fort Hood, calling the values that military personnel reflect “a filthy manner of life” and a “microcosm of the nation.”

Her Name is Shirley Phelps-Roper...she's a member of the Westboro Baptist Church...and she's not the only one. I wonder if she or any of those other wack jobs have ever thought about *how* they are able to protest...in the first place?

Freedom Isn't Free...and it pisses me off that these fanatics are allowed to disrespect our fallen soldiers!

[Pepper_Springfield]

Originally Posted by Likinikki

I hate to say it, but most of our holidays and some religious ceremonies have PAGAN beginnings. I kinda like dancing nekkid in the moonlight...of course, that's AFTER a few martinis! (lol)

the olld one...What I find to be disturbing are all the religious zealots...the so called *Christians* who protest the funerals of our fallen soldiers! Just to give you an idea of what a hypocrit some of them are...read this:

"Phelps-Roper said the group was protesting ..the morality of the military. Phelps-Roper said she thought the funeral was an ideal time to protest at Fort Hood, calling the values that military personnel reflect “a filthy manner of life” and a “microcosm of the nation.”

Her Name is Shirley Phelps-Roper...she's a member of the Westboro Baptist Church...and she's not the only one. I wonder if she or any of those other wack jobs have ever thought about *how* they are able to protest...in the first place?

Freedom Isn't Free...and it pisses me off that these fanatics are allowed to disrespect our fallen soldiers!

I saw that! That is really fucked up! No respect! I was so mad when I saw it on tv!

[Pepper_Springfield]

Hey wait.... did someone say nekkid dancing????

[flinde]

Well, technically, our country was established on the firm principle that there would be no established state religion.

The Sephardic Jews who funded and financed our revolution would be surprised to learn that they funded a "Christian" nation.

Pepper, you are correct re the origins of many of our holidays. Here is the extra credit question:

What day of the year does the ancient Persian God Mithras celebrate his birthday?

Nikki, Pepper, whoever guesses Mithra's birthday - as a prize, I will dance naked with you in the moonlight.

Nikki, as disgusting as the Phelps clan is - they are a celebration of one of our other important liberties -freedom of speech. Also, the Phelps demonstrate our God given right to be complete fucking idiots if we choose.

[Pepper_Springfield]

Dec 25th? Are u dancing nekkid with me?