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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 18512
[Pagan]
Date Posted:
9/9/2007
11:32:13 am EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 9,464
RSS: 15,701
Comments: 25
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Pagan Pride Day Celebrates Diversity
Author: Tenisha Waldo Source: The Post and Courier (SC)
Title: PAGAN PRIDE DAY CELEBRATES DIVERSITY
Kristina Robicheaux, 16, knows she is not a fairy. But she thinks they are beautiful.
On Saturday, for the Pagan Pride Day celebration at the National Guard Armory in North Charleston, Kristina wore a light pink sequined dress with pink and black lace on the bottom ruffles. Her hair was tied up in matching ribbons, and she wore sheer black wings.
When the Goose Creek teen pulled out a glass bead from the small pouch hanging around her neck, she said the bead was a hardened dragon tear that fairies collect.
Both of her parents are pagan, and Kristina wants to follow in their footsteps. But as a teenager, she said she is still trying to find her way, and she doesn't always feel comfortable talking about paganism.
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Community Thoughts: There are 25 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Like Minds/Souls.... | Sep 12th. at 1:27:39 pm EDT
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Lady Starlight (Ladson, South Carolina) - Email Me
I just want to say thank you to everyone I met that day! You all were so very kind. I am getting in touch with myself again and I wanted to start meeting people with like minds. My boyfriend of 8 years attended the event with me and after, for the Pagans Drinking Coffee in Summerville. To his surprise, he had a good time and enjoyed all he spoke to. He comes from a different background than myself (as I’m sure we all do) , but he is starting to open his mind and take adventure in life. I believe all people, no matter what their backgrounds, religious views, beliefs, etc; should embrace new ideals and people. You never know who you might meet (Soul Mate, Best Friend) . Looking forward to more events with such lovely people and kind souls! Peace to you all!
PS I've lived in Charleston for some time and I am glad the paper talked about the Pagan Pride Day...maybe it will show others the way...they're are not alone :)
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| They Gathered To Pray For The Pagans... | Sep 12th. at 10:24:43 am EDT
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Lea (Cedar Park, Texas) - Email Me
God loves us all, and so does the Goddess. And yet they exclude her. We do not exclude God in this family because our children have their own paths to follow. They learn about all of it.
We encourage them to study all spirituality and find the path they are meant to follow. I do not drag them forcefully to my ceremonies and rituals, if they choose to participate they do.
And yet, in my heart and soul, I hope against hope that they will follow in my way; however, I can not force my will and path upon them.
Most people who see me would never know I am who I am unless they notice the silver pentacle ring on my left hand, or come into my room and notice my altar set up there. Or on Samhain when they come to my door and there I'll be in all my pagan glory cloaked and all with that gorgeous garnet studded pentacle hanging at my breast. So, wear what you choose, be who you are and never, never be afraid for the Lady and Lord know who you are even if you don't go around dressed like a witch every single day.
Blessings of the Day all.
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| Lucky... | Sep 11th. at 10:25:40 pm EDT
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Kiki Circen (Escondido, California) - Email Me
She has Pagan parents and gets to go to Pagan Pride fairs? That's what I call fortunate, blessed and lucky. Wish I could say the same for me...But, at least can be the happy goth girl in a costume someday... I wanna get my groove on!
As for me, I've never been to one of those events, but I want to go. I wonder how she made that 'dragon tear' pendant?
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| Diversity Is Key | Sep 11th. at 12:16:05 pm EDT
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seely dancer (manchester, New Hampshire) - Email Me
There are numerous types of Pagans. Are we all supposed to conform to someone's idea of what a Pagan should dress like? What should we wear? Little black suits, black bow ties, black hats, black gloves, what? Sounds more like mourning to me.
Mourn the war in the middle east, mourn your dead, mourn global warming and the misuse of socail security funds and a braindead president. Don't mourn being a Pagan! Celebrate it! Wear bright-colored clothing, dress as something that reporesents Paganism to you, share the joy! And by all means dance!
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| The Problem W/Pagan Pride Days | Sep 11th. at 12:15:53 pm EDT
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Finn (San Marcos, Texas) - Email Me
As I said earlier, I long ago accepted that people are going to dress and act however they want, and there is nothing I can do about it. A lot of people piled on the guy who lashed out at the child. Technically, he responded to the article. Many of you responded to him. It is certainly pushing the envelope. I'm something of a resident ogre, and even I think it was overkill to fault a child. I don't blame children. I blame parents. Nonetheless, I think the issue he brought up deserves discussion.
1. Representation.
I would be a lot more comfortable with Pagan Pride Days, Pagan Fairs, and whatever else we are calling them this year if more care were taken by those participating to DEFINE themselves specifically at the event. I despise glittering generalities. I don't like it when Christians spread misinformation about me. I like it no better when people under the Pagan umbrella do it. Everytime someone leaves themselves vaguely defined as Pagan and goes on to spout their philosophy, it defines (against our will) every person under the umbrella. We aren't in agreement. We do not all believe the same things. We don't elect these representatives. They take it upon themselves to speak to the media, show up in public, and tell people what "I" believe. I wouldn't mind at all if they said I'm a member of this "SPECIFIC FAITH" which is one of many varied Pagan groups. This is what my SPECIFIC FAITH believes. I trust you get my point.
2. Held Hostage
We always hear this nonsense about the Broom Closet. I'm not in any closet. Hell, better than 90% of the people I meet on any given day are Christian. I can't tell by looking at them. I would have to ask. Does that mean they are living in the "Christ Closet?" Of course it doesn't. I just means they have manners and keep their religion to themselves. I have no idea why we want all this attention and seem hellbent on emulating the minority of Christians we claim to dislike. The problem with "vocal" Pagans who WANT the attention, who feel this need to educate (spread the good word) , and so on is they hold the rest of us hostage. Many of us simply don't feel the need nor believe in that stuff. Our only choice, is remain silent and be defined by those people who didn't ask our leave or step forward and act the same way they are doing, in an attempt to set the record straight. I don't appreciate that. A lot of us don't appreciate it. This problem is easily solved by dropping Pagan as a useless blanket term and calling yourselves by the specific name of your faith.
3. Drop the Brother/Sister Nonsense.
Nothing irks me more than every witch, Wiccan, Pagan, and/or Heathen assuming that because I'm under the Pagan umbrella I'm on their side. I'm not your brother or sister. Most of us aren't even the same religion. Even those within my faith aren't my brother or sister. I have those already. I'll take this a bit further. We aren't friends. My friendship must be earned and isn't given to every yahoo who happens to be a non-conformist or has a beef to pick with Christianity. In fact, if that is your attitude, we are never going to be pals. I judge people as individuals, period. I don't care what your faith is and I don't see the world as "us versus them." If you do see it that way, I pity you. There are many people here I respect, many of which I disagree with often. I have friends here too. It is based on something tangible. I think you put yourselves at a disadvantage if you do insert yourselves (and others) in this mythical "in group."
So in the end, I have to say "dance little girl... dance your heart out." I like going to the Renfair. I don't begrudge anyone any fun. However, if the event is called "Pagan Anything" I expect to see each booth inside SPECIFICALLY labeled as to specific faith. When I talk to you I want to hear, "I BELIEVE this...." or "My SPECIFIC FAITH BELIEVES..." and so on. If the blanket statement that "Pagans believe this..." comes out of your mouth I'm going to be annoyed, and with justification.
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| I Remember...... | Sep 11th. at 10:51:56 am EDT
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stalkingwolf (Bullhead City, Arizona) - Email Me
I remember the times before the internet and the "witch wars" and before the insta witches and fluff bunnies.
I remember a temple ( which my Wife and I still belong to) where all who were seeking were welcome
no matter what their path.
I remember my Wifes first meeting with the Lady who was to become our High Priestess.
I remember Our Lady's first words to my Wife, " It's OK
I'm not going to turn you into a frog." On another occasion My Wife was sitting in the temple in front
of the alter reading her bible and meditating. Several of the "students" decided that they should confront her
about the inappropriate thing she was doing. Before they or I could act ( probably a good thing as I am very direct and " in your face" when it comes to my Wife)
Our Lady stepped in and told them " You just Leave MY Mary alone. She knows what she is doing."
I remember fondly a time at a Ren Faire in CA, when I was privledged to meet and associate with a pair of
Water Faeries. They had gone to a great deal of work
to develope their garb and personna's. They were sisters, twins in fact. Quite small ( under 5' 0) , they never communicated verbally. Their eyes alight with fun and mischief however spoke volumns. Maybe they were Faeries who am I to say? All that I know is that in hard or difficult times there have always been faeries and sprites
around to help US through with their humor and mischief.
Remember whenever someone says I don't believe in ......., a faery,sprite,elf , gnome or troll
DIES.
As for me and mine, WE BELIEVE.
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| Don't Kill The Fun | Sep 11th. at 1:55:07 am EDT
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arinna (Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina) - Email Me
One of the best things to me about Pagan paths is the creative spirit. That includes dressing weird and using your imagination.
It's especially fun for kids. Don't ruin it for them just because some might laugh and think it kookie that a little girl calls a piece of glass a dragons tear. We can understand the symbolism even if outsiders never will.
Personally I don't want mainstream acceptance if it means sacrificing our joy or our fantastical whimsy and embrace of the bizarre. How boring.
Let the mainstream have all those who would mock and jeer at people having fun with their religion. Let them stand piously in their churches singing their bland hymns in their uncomfortable Sunday clothes. We can frollick in the fields and glens wearing whatever we like and laughing back merrily at those that laugh at us.
That's what makes us special.
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| Sca Events Can't Have Religion | Sep 10th. at 4:02:24 pm EDT
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Shadowbear (Hillsboro, Oregon) - Email Me
Society for Creative Anachronism does not allow religion into its events - Must have been a Renfaire in disquise.
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| Unicorns & Rainbows | Sep 10th. at 1:45:24 pm EDT
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Finn (San Marcos, Texas) - Email Me
I don't take pride in being "Pagan." I consider the word next to worthless. All it has come to mean is the person is NOT a member of one of the three Abrahamic faiths. That is like trying to define a cat only by saying it isn't a dog. I trust you get my point. As a definition it doesn't mean anything, and more to the point if I took pride in defining myself by something I'm NOT, I would be a bigot.
I do take pride in being a member of a specific faith. It has a name. It has rules. It defines itself by culture, ritual, ethics, and specificity. It has nothing to do with (nor does it care a whit about) other faiths. I'm not big on "Pagan Pride Days" because I've yet to attend one that wasn't either:
1. A Renfair in disguise or
2. A Society for Creative Anachronism Event
3. A monetary scam
Sometimes they have managed to be all three of these things. That isn't to say good people don't attend them. They do. They are entitled to dress as they like and behave in whatever manner they wish. Far be it for me to spoil their fun. I long ago accepted that the face of those under the Pagan umbrella is going to be defined by people like Fiona, the King of Witches, and those who didn't get enough summer theatre when they were young. I regret it but understand there is no stopping it.
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| Yep | Sep 10th. at 12:07:58 pm EDT
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Lady-hearted Mojo (Irving, Texas) - Email Me
Why worry about Pink Pixie Girl and her dragon tear stone when we've got Fiona Horne, "the world's most famous witch", representing us? I'd take Pink Pixie Girl over Fiona any day.
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| It May Be Silly | Sep 10th. at 4:04:21 am EDT
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Shadowbear (Hillsboro, Oregon) - Email Me
But there is no harm in wearing fancy dress to pagan events. So I don't feel the need to dress up and wear wings. so what? I wear what I want and so do they. If it makes you feel good, go for it. At least the article focused on fairy wings and not satanism.
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| And | Sep 10th. at 12:47:01 am EDT
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Badger Breaking Ground (Denton, Texas) - Email Me
Especially around the media.
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| To Know, To Will, To Dare, | Sep 10th. at 12:40:54 am EDT
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Badger Breaking Ground (Denton, Texas) - Email Me
To keep silent. Gods help us.
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| Nice Article | Sep 9th. at 2:14:37 pm EDT
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Young Coyote (W. Hempstead, California) - Email Me
I really liked this article. The only part that kind of soured it was at the end with the Christians "praying for" the people at the event. It would be nice to see said Christians actually interacting with the festival attendees rather than trying to create some sort of spiritual battle line.
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