Guest Post: Jon Hanna says Together we Fall, Divided we Stand

Last updated on: May 31, 2011 at 8:04 am By Guest Contributor

Find other posts related to this topic on the link round-up post! “There is something pagan in me that I cannot shake off. In short, I deny nothing, but doubt everything.” – Lord Byron The word pagan has always been of questionable usefulness to anyone who isn’t primarily concerned with Christianity, Judaism or Islam. Its origins are entirely in contrast to those religions (whether it came directly from country-dweller or via civilian, which while an interesting enough point of etymological... Read more

Guest Post: Matthew Hunt says Differences Are Real and Important

Last updated on: May 31, 2011 at 7:55 am By Guest Contributor

Find other posts related to this topic on the link round-up post! How I feel about this topic is that however some folk want a term or word to mean, the reality is different. Most folk when they speak of Paganism they ARE speaking about a specific religion. NOT an umbrella term. More often than not I hear talk of the Pagan Religion, and The Pagan Community. When I have met those who call themselves “Pagan” they have a different... Read more

Memorial Day: Honoring the Fallen

Last updated on: May 30, 2011 at 9:19 am By Star Foster

Let’s not forget those who have fought and fallen to protect our freedom to kick back and debate our religious communities’ issues. Selena Fox is doing a ceremony to honor Pagan Military Dead this morning, and asks folks to check out the Pagan Military Association page on Facebook. Celia, who wrote the anthem “Symbol” in response to the pentacle quest is offering a free download of the song today on ReverbNation. I found myself drawn to revisit The Wild Hunt... Read more

Guest Post: T. Thorn Coyle asks Can We Share A Common Fire?

Last updated on: May 29, 2011 at 8:28 am By Star Foster

Find other posts related to this topic on the link round-up post! Recently, I wrote two lengthy essays on this topic that I hope you take the time out to read, but given Star Foster’s call to put this discussion on the table again given Drew Jacob’s article, here are some more thoughts to add to the discussion: While at a cocktail party last week, I ended up in conversation with a man who teaches at a local psychic school.... Read more

Guest Post: Nouvelle Noir Goddess take on Pagan from the African Traditionalist Community

Last updated on: May 29, 2011 at 7:48 am By Star Foster

Find other posts related to this topic on the link round-up post! Daughters of Eve Contributor, Nouvelle Noir Goddess, offers her view on the current debate: I’ve read numerous thought provoking and inspiring personal testimony by individuals thought on referencing themselves Pagan, Polytheist, or the likes. Each contributor to the debate gave me insight on how at times one feels alienated or together with Pagan community as a collective whole. In my experience with the African Traditionalist “community” there are... Read more

Interview with Drew Jacob

Last updated on: May 29, 2011 at 7:18 am By Star Foster

Find other posts related to this topic on the link round-up post! After setting off the latest round of debates in the Pagan blogosphere, Drew Jacob kindly answered a few questions regarding his stance on the Pagan label and community: What makes your practice different from modern Druid orgs and Celtic Reconstructionists? That’s a fun question. A lot of people have looked at my post and said, “Well, you’re not Wiccan, but you’re still Pagan. You must be a Reconstructionist... Read more

Guest Post: Lamyka says Pagan Family Comes First

Last updated on: May 28, 2011 at 12:29 pm By Guest Contributor

Find other posts related to this topic on the link round-up post! Since we’re all busy people I’ll sum up this article in one phrase: We’re all together in this. The so-called debate over ‘yes, we’re all’ Pagans, ‘yes, but not me’ Pagans, & ‘yes, but not those’ Pagans is just the newest underwhelming pimple to grace the arse of the Community. I ask all of you reading this, a single question: What purpose does it serve to divide an... Read more

UPDATED-Link Round-Up: Is the Pagan Label/Community Useful?

Last updated on: May 27, 2011 at 11:48 am By Star Foster

*EVEN MORE new links added below* Polytheists are making the argument that their communities thrive better without the Pagan label and community, and it’s generated a boatload of discussion. Here’s a lists of posts discussing this issue, beginning with the post that set the ball, or some might say golden apple, rolling. *An interview with Drew Jacob, an article by T. Thorn Coyle and column by Eric Scott are forthcoming and will be linked here along with any other relevant... Read more

Real World Benefits of Not Being Pagan

Last updated on: May 27, 2011 at 11:23 am By Star Foster

Find other posts related to this topic on the link round-up post! When Drew Jacob wrote his post yesterday, I commented “some even claim that their religious communities actually thrive after they leave the Pagan label and community behind.” I think a lot of people overlooked that point. People began to argue semantics, the history and meaning of the term Pagan, the need for solidarity, and what that label means for their personal identity. Few considered what it means that... Read more

Choosing to Remain Under the Pagan Umbrella

Last updated on: May 27, 2011 at 11:02 am By Cara Schulz

Find other posts related to this topic on the link round-up post! A few years ago I expressed something very similar to what Drew expressed in his article “Why I’m not Pagan” – except he expressed it with far more tact and grace than I did. I had been looking around at the Pagan community and had a moment of realization that the community is defining people like me (polytheists) out of the group. The conversation that resulted surprised me.... Read more