John Beckett - Page 78 of 144 - Musings of a Druid, Pagan, and Unitarian Universalist.

Football, Crossroads and Druids

April 4, 2013 By John Beckett

I don’t want to be on my deathbed and realize I was the Druid equivalent of a quarterback with a questionable work ethic. Read more

Pagan Groups: Why Not?

April 1, 2013 By John Beckett

25 Comments

When I blogged about the need for Pagans to work in groups, I got a lot of feedback that was skeptical and some that was outright negative. The complaints fell into five general categories and I’d like to address them. Read more

Why I Am a Pagan

March 28, 2013 By John Beckett

23 Comments

Patheos has a new series called “Why I Am A…” which challenges writers to explain their religious choice in 200 words or less. Here’s my entry. Read more

The Pagan Bubble

March 26, 2013 By John Beckett

22 Comments

Religious “bubbles” have existed ever since religion became an organized thing and they persist for good reasons. Our Pagan bubble gives us safety and encouragement to explore our beliefs and practices in greater depth than the mainstream society will allow. It’s a good thing, so long as we don’t get stuck there. Read more

A Pagan Looks at Easter

March 24, 2013 By John Beckett

4 Comments

Christianity is deeply embedded in our culture. Even if we are happily committed to Paganism and to the old goddesses and gods, at some point we will be asked what we believe about Jesus. These are my thoughts as a Pagan, a Druid, and a Unitarian Universalist. Read more

Pagan Groups: Seeking To Find

March 21, 2013 By John Beckett

3 Comments

The myth of the solitary Witch In The Forest is romantic, but most of us are better off practicing and worshiping in a group. Solitary or not you still have to do the work, but it’s easier with friends. Read more

Interfaith: Risks, Rewards, and Boundaries

March 19, 2013 By John Beckett

21 Comments

Like gay people who come out of the closet, Pagans who engage in interfaith work make the way easier for those who come after them. The risks of interfaith work are small and the benefits can be great. Read more

Reclaiming Your Sovereignty

March 17, 2013 By John Beckett

4 Comments

Before the Great Battle of Magh Tuireadh, Figol the Druid blessed the warriors, saying “as to the men of Ireland, every breath they breathe will be an increase of strength and of bravery to them; and if they are seven years in the battle they will never be any way tired.” It is in that Druid tradition I offered this morning’s sermon at the Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Read more

Pagan Wishes For The New Pope

March 14, 2013 By John Beckett

17 Comments

It is not reasonable to expect the new pope to reform his church in the ways those of us on the liberal side of the religious spectrum would prefer. But I still offer my best wishes to Pope Francis. Though I am quite happy as a Pagan, a Druid, and a Unitarian Universalist, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Catholic church. Read more

Silence and the Limitations of Language

March 12, 2013 By John Beckett

7 Comments

Were the religious experiences of our distant ancestors incomplete because they did not have language for interpretation? Or were they more complete because they were experienced with their whole beings and not forced into the limitations of language? And how does that tie into the importance of keeping silence? Read more