All of my readers know why I dislike the words pagan and paganism. Anyway, there is another reason to dislike the terms -- they are being taken over by the New Atheists. Yes, that is correct, the group of people who have evolution expert Dawkins, who is a professor at Cambridge, as their figurehead, have glommed onto "pagan" to describe themselves because they are all into ecology. The web site/blog Humanistic Paganism was brought to my attention today in my E-mail because of a short essay by a M.J. Lee entitled "Why Do People Want Supernatural Gods?" http://www.humanisticpaganism.com/2012/06/03/why-do-people-want-supernatural-gods-by-m-j-lee/ Right away I can see that there is a BIG problem with this essay. In my theology and world-view, the gods are NOT supernatural. Star Foster had a wonderful rebuttal, to which, of course, none of the so-called intellectuals involved with this group responded. In fact, she has published a more thorough rebuttal on her blog over at Patheos, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/pantheon/2012/when-pagan-loses-meaning-atheists-and-theists/
As a matter of an FYI, I would like to recommend a WordPress blog, The New Oxonian. He writes profusely about the New Atheists (he does not have a good opinion of them).
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
This Questionnaire is One Reason I Don't Call Myself a Pagan
The Great Big Pagan Meme of Doom
Do you have a magical/Pagan name?
(can I throw up?)
GAH! However, I have occasionally used Hypatia and Ergane as confirmation-type names (a second name after my real birth name). As I do not believe that I can "magically" raise myself to the level of the Gods or even send out the amount of personal energy that would be required to make "magical" change, it just seemed rather silly to me.
How did you find Paganism?
I do not believe that "paganism" is a religion of long duration.
The Greek Gods came into my life at a very young age (under 10). I didn't know there was a name for this. Of course I was a book nerd then, too. I did read some of the better books on traditional Wicca and witchcraft; however, I found that these did not contain the things I was looking for (these were just magic). I even attempted open Wiccan circles. Even these were not ultimately satisfying and seemed to me to be very shallow and fluffy. So I do not believe there is any such thing as Paganism other than the modern syncretic magical cum religious practice created in the 20th century. In addition, I do not believe that so-called witchcraft is a religion but is herbalism associated with prayers to whichever gods are local in a region.
How long have you been practicing?
over 50 years
Are you out of the broom closet?
not totally
Solitary or group practitioner?
both
What is your path?
Hellenic Polytheist
D E I T Y
What’s your brand of deism?
hard polytheist with some animist tendencies
Who is your patron God?
I'm not sure about all this "patronage" business; however, I do have an interesting relationship with Hermes, Boreias, and Zeus. I am not dedicated to any of them; however, as I believe that a person can develop a relationship with a God without being dedicated.
Who is your patron Goddess?
Presently, Athena and Hera have a predominant place in my life right now. I am not ritually (formally) dedicated to Them; however, I am working toward becoming a priestess for them both. When I was very young it was Artemis who first made the Gods a reality to me.
What Gods do you worship?
the Hellenic Pantheon
Do you fear darkly aspected Gods/Goddesses, or rather respect them?
DUH! I am NOT a Dualist so this question has NO MEANING for me.
Do you worship the Christian God?
No
Do you worship animals? Or plants?
(OY, VEY!) I honour the nymphs who reside on the Earth.
N A T U R E
Do you regularly commune with nature?
DUH! Of course!
Taken a camping trip just to talk to nature?
I had enough "camping" when I was on USAF active duty. I don't feel that I have to go rustic in order to have proper awe for the greatness surrounding me.
Describe the moment you felt closest to Mother Earth?
all the time
Do you have a familiar?
NO
Do you hug trees?
? I leave offerings for the nymphs by them
What are your favorite plants to work with?
I don't do magic
what are your favorite trees to work with?
ditto
W H E E L O F T H E Y E A R
this section has no meaning to me as I follow a number of festivals dedicated to different gods
What is your favorite holiday?
Theogamia; Khalkeia
What is your least favorite holiday?
DUH
Have you ever held a ritual on a holiday?
try to
Ever taken a day off work to celebrate a Pagan holiday?
no
Do you celebrate Yule on the 21st rather than the 25th?
I don't celebrate Yule
Have you ever felt the veil thin?
no
Ever danced the Maypole?
no
Know what the Maypole symbolizes?
DUH
How do you usually celebrate the Pagan holidays?
dimwit: MODERN, IRISH, NORSE, GERMAN, SLAVIC, ROMAN, GREEK, EGYPTIAN, ETC......
D I V I N A T I O N
Do you use Tarot?
NO
Do you use runes?
N
SOMETHING SIMILAR
Do you use a pendulum?
no
Do you use dowsing rods?
NO
Do you use astrology?
NO
ANY OTHERS?
DREAMS
S P E L L S
What was the first spell you did?
I don't remember-- I just know that I felt weird and that the gods disapproved.
What was the latest?
don't do magic
Ever done a love spell?
see above
A job spell?
ditto
A healing spell?
ditto
What was the most powerful spell you’ve ever performed?
none
What deities do you usually call on?
no
C R Y P T O Z O O L O G Y
now we are in the realm of the rabid fluff bunny: be afraid, be very afraid!!!!
Do you believe in vampires?
DUH!
Werewolves?
ditto
Shapeshifters?
ditto
Dragons?
no dinosauria--yes
Elves/Fairies/Nymphs/Sprites/Satyrs/Mermaids...?
I believe that these are local names for the various demi-divinities of the earth, sea and sky. As such, they are not all sweetness and light as the FB would have it.
Ever “seen” any of the above?
not sure
Ever used any of the above in magic?
I would NEVER USE any BEING!!!!!! GAH!!!! How distasteful is that!
Do you have one of them as a personal guardian?
no
R A N D O M
Do you see a rabbit, a man or a woman in the moon?
HUH
Own a cat?
Owned by a passel of them
When you meditate, what does your happy place look like?
no place
Do you work with chakras?
no
Do you believe in past lives?
maybe
If so, describe a few briefly:
Do you believe in soul mates?
No.
Do you have a spirit guide?
no
Is it always love and light?
you have got to be kidding
Do you have a magical/Pagan name?
(can I throw up?)
GAH! However, I have occasionally used Hypatia and Ergane as confirmation-type names (a second name after my real birth name). As I do not believe that I can "magically" raise myself to the level of the Gods or even send out the amount of personal energy that would be required to make "magical" change, it just seemed rather silly to me.
How did you find Paganism?
I do not believe that "paganism" is a religion of long duration.
The Greek Gods came into my life at a very young age (under 10). I didn't know there was a name for this. Of course I was a book nerd then, too. I did read some of the better books on traditional Wicca and witchcraft; however, I found that these did not contain the things I was looking for (these were just magic). I even attempted open Wiccan circles. Even these were not ultimately satisfying and seemed to me to be very shallow and fluffy. So I do not believe there is any such thing as Paganism other than the modern syncretic magical cum religious practice created in the 20th century. In addition, I do not believe that so-called witchcraft is a religion but is herbalism associated with prayers to whichever gods are local in a region.
How long have you been practicing?
over 50 years
Are you out of the broom closet?
not totally
Solitary or group practitioner?
both
What is your path?
Hellenic Polytheist
D E I T Y
What’s your brand of deism?
hard polytheist with some animist tendencies
Who is your patron God?
I'm not sure about all this "patronage" business; however, I do have an interesting relationship with Hermes, Boreias, and Zeus. I am not dedicated to any of them; however, as I believe that a person can develop a relationship with a God without being dedicated.
Who is your patron Goddess?
Presently, Athena and Hera have a predominant place in my life right now. I am not ritually (formally) dedicated to Them; however, I am working toward becoming a priestess for them both. When I was very young it was Artemis who first made the Gods a reality to me.
What Gods do you worship?
the Hellenic Pantheon
Do you fear darkly aspected Gods/Goddesses, or rather respect them?
DUH! I am NOT a Dualist so this question has NO MEANING for me.
Do you worship the Christian God?
No
Do you worship animals? Or plants?
(OY, VEY!) I honour the nymphs who reside on the Earth.
N A T U R E
Do you regularly commune with nature?
DUH! Of course!
Taken a camping trip just to talk to nature?
I had enough "camping" when I was on USAF active duty. I don't feel that I have to go rustic in order to have proper awe for the greatness surrounding me.
Describe the moment you felt closest to Mother Earth?
all the time
Do you have a familiar?
NO
Do you hug trees?
? I leave offerings for the nymphs by them
What are your favorite plants to work with?
I don't do magic
what are your favorite trees to work with?
ditto
W H E E L O F T H E Y E A R
this section has no meaning to me as I follow a number of festivals dedicated to different gods
What is your favorite holiday?
Theogamia; Khalkeia
What is your least favorite holiday?
DUH
Have you ever held a ritual on a holiday?
try to
Ever taken a day off work to celebrate a Pagan holiday?
no
Do you celebrate Yule on the 21st rather than the 25th?
I don't celebrate Yule
Have you ever felt the veil thin?
no
Ever danced the Maypole?
no
Know what the Maypole symbolizes?
DUH
How do you usually celebrate the Pagan holidays?
dimwit: MODERN, IRISH, NORSE, GERMAN, SLAVIC, ROMAN, GREEK, EGYPTIAN, ETC......
D I V I N A T I O N
Do you use Tarot?
NO
Do you use runes?
N
SOMETHING SIMILAR
Do you use a pendulum?
no
Do you use dowsing rods?
NO
Do you use astrology?
NO
ANY OTHERS?
DREAMS
S P E L L S
What was the first spell you did?
I don't remember-- I just know that I felt weird and that the gods disapproved.
What was the latest?
don't do magic
Ever done a love spell?
see above
A job spell?
ditto
A healing spell?
ditto
What was the most powerful spell you’ve ever performed?
none
What deities do you usually call on?
no
C R Y P T O Z O O L O G Y
now we are in the realm of the rabid fluff bunny: be afraid, be very afraid!!!!
Do you believe in vampires?
DUH!
Werewolves?
ditto
Shapeshifters?
ditto
Dragons?
no dinosauria--yes
Elves/Fairies/Nymphs/Sprites/Satyrs/Mermaids...?
I believe that these are local names for the various demi-divinities of the earth, sea and sky. As such, they are not all sweetness and light as the FB would have it.
Ever “seen” any of the above?
not sure
Ever used any of the above in magic?
I would NEVER USE any BEING!!!!!! GAH!!!! How distasteful is that!
Do you have one of them as a personal guardian?
no
R A N D O M
Do you see a rabbit, a man or a woman in the moon?
HUH
Own a cat?
Owned by a passel of them
When you meditate, what does your happy place look like?
no place
Do you work with chakras?
no
Do you believe in past lives?
maybe
If so, describe a few briefly:
Do you believe in soul mates?
No.
Do you have a spirit guide?
no
Is it always love and light?
you have got to be kidding
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Diogenes Report: The Live Vile Evil Awards
This is re-printed from my Peacock Plumes blog.
If you are uncomfortable about political/moral/ethical opinions which challenge you, then my work here is done.
Every day I feel like poor Diogenes, holding my lantern high in the impossible hope of finding true intelligence, honour and virtue.
Hannah Arendt wrote in "The Banality of Evil" about how holocausts are indeed not only possible but probable to commit by so-called ordinary people. This is truly terrifing.
I have even coined a term for this particular disease: Cranium Contenta Implet Visceralis or Stercorem Pro Cerebro (SFB). (NOTE: I will get the Attic Greek translation for these soon.) Of course, there is a cure for this disease; however, no medication or surgery can assuage it as it requires the effort of shoveling out what has taken the place of the cerebrum and cerebellum, allowing the pinched off neurons the ability to retake their proper place, if at all possible, which is done by a quantity and quality of reading which has never so far been done by the sufferer; giving up on false social myths; checking and double-checking all sources for Real Proof and not propaganda or wishful thinking; and the true understanding that greed/avarice is the REAL EVIL which leads towards anarchy, selfishness, cruelty, fundamentalism, and everything which is not virtuous and honourable.
Everyone of these awardees have as a Common Denominator absolute Greed/Avarice as their Raison d'Etre.
There are so many to whom we can give these awards. So, now in reverse order, the Awards are given to:
Bernie Madoff and all financial criminals
Investment Bankers/Stock Exchanges/Mega-International Corporations/etc.
All Fundamentalists and their SpokesMouths (who are by nature hypocrites)(terrorists of all kinds are included here)
The Heritage Society, The Cato Institute, The Evil (er, Eagle) Forum, etc.
The Tea Party
The GOP (in all and in Congress)(probably 99.75%)
The "Roberts' Court"
Fixed-Faux Noise (99.99% of all "news" readers and commentators including Rupert Murdoch)
COMCAST Corp.
Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Bachman, Sarah Palin and all other liars
If you are uncomfortable about political/moral/ethical opinions which challenge you, then my work here is done.
Every day I feel like poor Diogenes, holding my lantern high in the impossible hope of finding true intelligence, honour and virtue.
Hannah Arendt wrote in "The Banality of Evil" about how holocausts are indeed not only possible but probable to commit by so-called ordinary people. This is truly terrifing.
I have even coined a term for this particular disease: Cranium Contenta Implet Visceralis or Stercorem Pro Cerebro (SFB). (NOTE: I will get the Attic Greek translation for these soon.) Of course, there is a cure for this disease; however, no medication or surgery can assuage it as it requires the effort of shoveling out what has taken the place of the cerebrum and cerebellum, allowing the pinched off neurons the ability to retake their proper place, if at all possible, which is done by a quantity and quality of reading which has never so far been done by the sufferer; giving up on false social myths; checking and double-checking all sources for Real Proof and not propaganda or wishful thinking; and the true understanding that greed/avarice is the REAL EVIL which leads towards anarchy, selfishness, cruelty, fundamentalism, and everything which is not virtuous and honourable.
Everyone of these awardees have as a Common Denominator absolute Greed/Avarice as their Raison d'Etre.
There are so many to whom we can give these awards. So, now in reverse order, the Awards are given to:
Bernie Madoff and all financial criminals
Investment Bankers/Stock Exchanges/Mega-International Corporations/etc.
All Fundamentalists and their SpokesMouths (who are by nature hypocrites)(terrorists of all kinds are included here)
The Heritage Society, The Cato Institute, The Evil (er, Eagle) Forum, etc.
The Tea Party
The GOP (in all and in Congress)(probably 99.75%)
The "Roberts' Court"
Fixed-Faux Noise (99.99% of all "news" readers and commentators including Rupert Murdoch)
COMCAST Corp.
Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Bachman, Sarah Palin and all other liars
THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE
~~DRUM ROLL~~
1st Place goes to: JOHN BOEHNER
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Health Care Reform As Xenia
I have been following the unethical shenanigans by a certain political party (GOP) and their willfully ignorant followers (T-Baggers) over the much needed reform of health care in this country. In any economic system, if one area of the economy takes up an extreme percentage of that economy then the entire system may be subject to collapse. This is one of the main reasons that the Soviet Union actually collapsed -- too much of its economy was taken up in military spending. We were able to SPEND them into the dust because our economy was much more diversified.
We are also only as strong as the least of our citizens; and, if our citizens cannot get preventive health care then our entire society is weak as a result. The United States, the country looked up to by most of the world, is in 37th place in health care! Canada, Western Europe, etc. all have better health care systems than we do. Yet many people in our country continue to deny that there is nothing wrong.
Ultimately this does come down as an issue of ethics and VALUES. Yup, folks, VALUES. The virtue of Xenia (hospitality) seems to have been lost to many vocal people in this country, Yet, these shouters are just a minority. They believe that something they have is going to be taken away from them by someone "not deserving," ie. different ethnic background. Let us call it by its proper names: selfishness and hypocrisy, not behaving to your neighbour like you would like them to behave toward you, xenia.
We are also only as strong as the least of our citizens; and, if our citizens cannot get preventive health care then our entire society is weak as a result. The United States, the country looked up to by most of the world, is in 37th place in health care! Canada, Western Europe, etc. all have better health care systems than we do. Yet many people in our country continue to deny that there is nothing wrong.
Ultimately this does come down as an issue of ethics and VALUES. Yup, folks, VALUES. The virtue of Xenia (hospitality) seems to have been lost to many vocal people in this country, Yet, these shouters are just a minority. They believe that something they have is going to be taken away from them by someone "not deserving," ie. different ethnic background. Let us call it by its proper names: selfishness and hypocrisy, not behaving to your neighbour like you would like them to behave toward you, xenia.
Thoughts on Caprica
I have been watching the new SyFy series Caprica, the prequel to Battlestar Galactica. As many of you are probably aware, polytheism is the major religious understanding of the humans. The developers of the series specifically utilize the Hellenic and Roman names for the Gods. However, some of the mythoi/practices are far different (Athena's Tomb? human sacrifice for Hekate?).
The really interesting thing about Caprica; however, is the explanation of how the Cylons became monotheistic. And, of course, the answer is Dualism/light vs dark/ultimate good vs ultimate evil -- all of which is a false paradigm latched on by a troubled adolescent who thinks that there is an ultimate capital-T truth. She thinks that a virtual world is the same as the physical world. Sorry, little girl, there is no such thing, never has been, never will be. The virtual world of your head-set is pornography, a very one-sided, jaded, psychopathic vision of someone who is very twisted. So, you are murdered by your friend who has become a religious terrorist for the One, the ultimate good. BAH!
However, your Father does not understand that he is NOT a God and decides to bring you back. He finds your virtual recreation. However, this recreation has all the adolescent stupidity of the original, even though you were "brilliant." His hubris in not letting you cross the Styx will bring almost utter ruin to humanity. Is THIS what you REALLY wanted, little girl?
The really interesting thing about Caprica; however, is the explanation of how the Cylons became monotheistic. And, of course, the answer is Dualism/light vs dark/ultimate good vs ultimate evil -- all of which is a false paradigm latched on by a troubled adolescent who thinks that there is an ultimate capital-T truth. She thinks that a virtual world is the same as the physical world. Sorry, little girl, there is no such thing, never has been, never will be. The virtual world of your head-set is pornography, a very one-sided, jaded, psychopathic vision of someone who is very twisted. So, you are murdered by your friend who has become a religious terrorist for the One, the ultimate good. BAH!
However, your Father does not understand that he is NOT a God and decides to bring you back. He finds your virtual recreation. However, this recreation has all the adolescent stupidity of the original, even though you were "brilliant." His hubris in not letting you cross the Styx will bring almost utter ruin to humanity. Is THIS what you REALLY wanted, little girl?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Wing-Nuts Are In Charge Here, Too
I never thought that I would ever say this: Yes, Virginia, there are wing-nut Hellenic polytheists. Even though there have good people on the Olympianism Yahoo! group, the owner has become entranced with orthodoxy. I am resigning from the list and I know others who have in recent weeks. My last straw was the slander and calumny from the owner of the list to the Hellenistai forum.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Super-Recon Does It Again
Well, Super-Recon and his acolyte have hit the Olympianism list! I really, really know I should ignore him; however.....
Seems Super-Recon thinks we can -- and probably should -- codify how many sacrifices, devotions, etc. we should be doing over the course of a year in order to be considered "true recons" and not some fluffy-bunny sub-species. How else could a person interpret his definition of Orthopraxy? I also think that his variety of Orthopraxy has become a form of Othodoxy for him. I only figured this out after I stopped responding to his insults. Yes, he actively insults people and tries to make out that he "can't understand" what we are writing about. That we are too "airy." Obviously, I believe that he has trouble with reading comprehension.
All this said, I DO NOT recommend his website http://www.hellenismos.us as a good source or the fora he hosts there. Please visit http://www.hellenion.org and the following Yahoo Groups for good information: Hellenion_Chat and Hellenic_Recons.
Seems Super-Recon thinks we can -- and probably should -- codify how many sacrifices, devotions, etc. we should be doing over the course of a year in order to be considered "true recons" and not some fluffy-bunny sub-species. How else could a person interpret his definition of Orthopraxy? I also think that his variety of Orthopraxy has become a form of Othodoxy for him. I only figured this out after I stopped responding to his insults. Yes, he actively insults people and tries to make out that he "can't understand" what we are writing about. That we are too "airy." Obviously, I believe that he has trouble with reading comprehension.
All this said, I DO NOT recommend his website http://www.hellenismos.us as a good source or the fora he hosts there. Please visit http://www.hellenion.org and the following Yahoo Groups for good information: Hellenion_Chat and Hellenic_Recons.
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