As a Pagan, I do not believe in an external force of ‘evil’ in the universe. Rather I subscribe to the view of Mahatma Gandhi:
The only devils in this world are those running around inside our own hearts, and that is where all our battles should be fought.
Evil is human-made, a result of fear, ignorance, anger and frustration. When such pressures build up, it is easy to fantasise that there is some simplistic solution. The maiming and destruction of our enemies, the inquisition, ethnic cleansing, wars of religion – all feed off the same delusion – that there is a good, pure, right ideology that will make the world a better place. If people will not subscribe to it voluntarily, then they are evil and must be destroyed. Once we have labelled a group as ‘other’, the enemy, we can persuade ourselves that in order to protect what we think precious and right any action is justifiable.
Tag: fundamentalism
Advocating for Pagan Children in Public Schools by Aurora Lightbringer – from Patheos
Advocating for Pagan Children in Public Schools
via Bobby Sipes on the Religious Tolerance group on Facebook:
For those in the US and possibly other school systems who may have children struggling within religious biased systems. While primarily focused towards Pagan families it can perhaps offer some insights others could use to approach the school system in a rational way. I would also appreciate any thoughts others may have had when facing situations that challenge their kids within schools whether atheist, pagan, Christian, Muslim or any other faith. Looking for common ground here.
Aurora Lightbringer is an artist, author, and Pagan mom who wanted to create a series of books dedicated to young people growing up in Earth-centered faith traditions. She is a community leader who is a National Board Certified Teacher, volunteer, consultant to a non-profit and part of a leadership team of a Pagan circle. She recently published her first children’s book The Wheel of the Year (available on amazon.com) and is working with a committee to create PKIPS (Pagan Kids in Public Schools) which will be a resource for Pagan families navigating the public school system. To find out more and to read some of Aurora’s work for grown-ups, visit: www.fullcircleuuca.org.
A caution against Pagan fundamentalism
Aed Dubh comments o
n the Therioshamanism blog for January 16, 2013
A caution against Pagan fundamentalism
It’s worth pointing out that the author gets misunderstood by some commenters- as far as I can tell, Lupa is not saying that polytheists are more likely than other Pagans to be fundamentalist, just that the polytheism discussion brings the concept up…