I’m No Little Lost Lamb

Months ago I told a friend I was thinking about writing a post on the tendency to preach a type of “sinfulness” or “lostness” in Paganism. Promoting the idea that we are little lost lambs waiting to be brought to the light. The idea that we are just not enough: not magical enough, not aware enough, not holy enough and not subservient enough. Other ideas took precedence. Likely some piece of news caught my attention and I didn’t write that post then.

Since then, the subject has cropped up here and there. I’ve seen priestesses elbow their way into forums and discussion to “play mama,” expecting everyone to settle down and defer to their wisdom. I’ve read Pagans write eloquently about our deep separation from all that which is Divine and the “lostness” of our disconnection. I’ve seen Pagans correct each other not merely on historical or culture facts, but on the nature of their very souls. Though we like to think we are not sheep, there are many sheperds among us.

I’m not saying that pastoral care is a bad thing. If someone is sick, their faith community should reach out to them. Certainly the leaders of their spiritual community should. Pastoral care is important, and something we should encourage.

What I’m speaking of is the idea that someone is lost, misguided or needs to be brought back into the fold. Someone states that they don’t believe all Gods are One, and someone explains that they will, just give it time. Or intimates that don’t have access to that secret knowledge yet. Someone who is a member of a group might imply that solitaries are just lost and confused. A solitary might express concern that groups are really just cults.

How many times have you heard someone patronizingly treat someone as a fluff bunny? Even when they have a decade or more in Paganism? How often have you heard someone say that someone’s deeply held beliefs would change with proper teaching? How often have you heard someone correct someone’s perception of spiritual world and all that which is Divine?

I’m not talking about debating or discussing the logic, reason and structure behind various beliefs. I am all about that and can easily spend an afternoon deconstructing polytheology. I’m also not saying we should be prevented from making declarative statements. What concerns me is the idea that if someone doesn’t like their grilled cheese just like we do, they are a lost soul.

I don’t believe in making someone feel less because you don’t think they are X enough. I support Project Pagan Enough. I’ll admit I’m a dogged Devil’s Advocate, pushing against illogical assertions, but there are plenty of things I believe that don’t make good sense. I’m ok with that. I acknowledge that. Saying what you believe doesn’t necessarily add up logically is fine. Or it should be fine.

I’m having trouble articulating this tody. Maybe because I’m trying to come up with examples that don’t resemble actual situations I’ve been involved in. Maybe because I don’t want it to seem that I’m calling out individuals in our community, because I’m not. I see this as a pervasive, almost subversive issue in all of Paganism. What I can articulate is how I feel about this for myself.

I’m no lost little lamb. I am not misguided. I have not strayed from any path. I am not lost. No knowledge you have, occult or otherwise, can shift the foundations of my soul. I need no shepherd. I do not need to be brought to the light. I am not in need of enlightenment. I do not need to transcend. I do not need to adopt a meek or subservient attitude. I am not low or base. I do not need to reach a higher plane of existence. I am not confused about what my own heart tells me. Most importantly, I will not abdicate the sovereignty of my soul to anyone.

And if you have a problem with any of that, you need to get over it.