The Gifts of Controversy

Tempers are flaring and emotions are running high across the Pagan interwebs today. If you don’t why, you’ve likely either been under a rock, or, unlike me, have a life that doesn’t require a WiFi connection.

One of the gifts of such a wildfire raging through our community is the insight it gives us into each other. Healthy, happy people can get along fine sipping sweet tea on a sunny day, but when you’re angry, hurt and confused then your humanity can’t help showing through.

I’ve been watching that unfold over the past few days. I’ve seen thoughtful people being thoughtful. Passionate people making their case with gusto. I’ve seen people I thought were rational behaving irrationally. I’ve seen wise people be confronted with previously unforseen consequences. I’ve seen people so caught up in their own view that they couldn’t see other perspectives.

I know other people have observed me as well. I’ve been angry, hurt, frustrated, tired, irritated and more over this whole revitalized controversy. What they’ve seen in my responses and reactions I can only guess.

With a few exceptions, this revealing process has only made me love people more, even when I disagree with them. I’m not in favor of David Salisbury’s boycott on PantheaCon, but I do admire the grace with which he has clung to his convictions. I’m always in awe of Cara Schulz’s ability to reflect calmly and thoughtfully when everyone else is shouting. I am comforted by how Peter Dybing is always calling for compassion and understanding, even when I am in no mood for either. I am inspired by and heartbroken for some of the folks at the core of this debate, and how they are subject to scrutiny, criticism and anger that they don’t necessarily deserve.

Debates like this make me question whether the internet is really useful and helpful for the Pagan community. True, it facilitates faster and easier communication of true, important and inspiring things, but so often it only serves to spread misconceptions, rumors, and escalate anger, grief and bitterness.

I don’t know how useful this blogosphere is, or how useful this raging internet debate is, but I do know that seeing people in our community under the strain of this debate have made me come to appreciate them more. Even when I disagree with them, even when they disappoint me, I am still inspired by my fellow Pagans.