Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

[Sean R. R.]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

How come Metal-heads are in there? I'm a Metalhead and although I pray-- Err listen to Judas Priest twenty times a day doesn't mean I worship The Elevated God of Metal Rob Halford.

I think I'd fit in the 'All other Satanists', but I don't hate Wiccans or Setians or LaVeyans...

[Jera]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

I have experienced this sort of condescension first hand from one of my friends and mentor...after shifting over to Heathenry and adopting the lifestyle and practices she has begun to visibly look down upon Wicca-based paths and practices. Basically her attitude is that Wicca is for n00bs. I was surprised at this shift in attitude from someone I perceived to be so mature and experienced in the pagan community, but I guess nobody is immune to needing feelings of superiority. The most discrimination I encounter from the pagan community is because of my appearance...people assume because I wear gothic/alternative clothing and a pentacle that I am simply being a pagan to "complete the look". I've had some (older) people sneer at me and assume that I am simply dabbling because I am trying to be more hardcore than my goth buddies. That really grinds my gears.

[Jembru]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

I have experienced this sort of condescension first hand from one of my friends and mentor...after shifting over to Heathenry and adopting the lifestyle and practices she has begun to visibly look down upon Wicca-based paths and practices. Basically her attitude is that Wicca is for n00bs. I was surprised at this shift in attitude from someone I perceived to be so mature and experienced in the pagan community, but I guess nobody is immune to needing feelings of superiority. The most discrimination I encounter from the pagan community is because of my appearance...people assume because I wear gothic/alternative clothing and a pentacle that I am simply being a pagan to "complete the look". I've had some (older) people sneer at me and assume that I am simply dabbling because I am trying to be more hardcore than my goth buddies. That really grinds my gears.

I must say I have seen this attitude a lot myself. It's like, you can't be into a style just because you like it, while keeping your spirituality completely seperate. Bloody good for you for sticking to your convictions and being true to yourself despite what others think.

I have even been guilty, in recent years, of not dressing true to myself because of fear of being labelled by others who I look up to and want to be taken seriously by. Sad thing is, when I had no idea such lables existed, I never had anyone tease me or call me anything for how a dressed but now I know, I've had to tone down. It seems it's only me who has a problem with who I am. I wish I could just say, 'screw you all, this is how I like to dress, deal with it' and be myself. But I doubt I could now. I used to be so daring and wild.. multicoloured braids.. stickers all over my face... neon colours. Then I moved from cyber punk because I wanted to be completely unique, to a style I thought I'd made up that I called 'Euro pop'. My Euro pop look was mainly inspired by Lazy Town and cheesy European bands, but it was basically dressing in kids clothes and accessories and making no secret of the fact. It ended up a bit too close to the harajuku look for comfort. So I've ditched it, because I want to be friends with others who study Japanese and don't want them to think I'm a dumb anime fan with a vocabulary of 10 words. And they will, they'll judge me in the first 3 seconds of meeting me and I'll be written off before they even hear me speak

I just secretly wear kids clothes now.. in that, they're for kids, but look kinda like an adult could wear them. Although, they'll never take my knee socks and hair bows!

Oopse, sorry for the rant. Haha time to cheer myself up.. bing bang riga diga dong...

[anunitu]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

I really never understood this trend of "I am more real than you" in pagan circles. I wear what I want or not wear depending on my mood. I really don't think there is a "LOOK" that defines my beliefs. What I believe is inside me and the outside look is really not important. But this is me,and I do know "Religion"(belief systems) have a tendency to try to prove that they are the "Only" "True" way to go. It is kinda like the kids in school who dress to be different,but then EVERYONE dresses the same to be different. Wearing jeans does not make you a rebel,listening to heavy metal does not make you anti-establishment. You are who you are. There is no single path,and it has been said that the road less traveled may be a better path that the crowded highway.

As always just my take,you may require different strokes to get to where you are going.

[Willow]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

They should have made the text bigger... even zoomed in and with lasik it's hard to see. :P

[AzazelEblis]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

I preferred the variants of the inciting pic which displayed a more cyclical nature to the ensuing hubris. My favorite variation (which I can't find atm) had the folks on the bottom looking down upon those at the top, with very few dead ends, and no one "on top" of the heirarchy.

[Caelia]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

I preferred the variants of the inciting pic which displayed a more cyclical nature to the ensuing hubris. My favorite variation (which I can't find atm) had the folks on the bottom looking down upon those at the top, with very few dead ends, and no one "on top" of the heirarchy.

You mean this one?

pagan-hierarchy.jpg

I think it's the same one.


ADD: Yep, it is.

That said, I love it. I love how it illustrates human tendencies for elitism and calls it to the attention of Pagans that we too aren't above this tendency.

[AzazelEblis]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

No, I don't think it was the same one. It might be an earlier version.

I find it hilarous that the Chaos Magicians are high on the chart! Most forums, I tell them I'm a Chaote, and I practically get askance looks, where people ask one another, "Is this guy insane, or just stupid?"

This alone tells me that they're not interested in making it completely, literally accurate.

Though the idea that "all other chaotes" looks down on the IOT is spot on, and completely hilarious. In the end, the most common grievance I've seen against the Illumati Of Thanatos is that, "they calcified their doctrine into dogma at the expense of experimentation". I've even seen this from other groups that have decided that the whole "post-modern" idea of Chaos Magic was getting outdated, and that it was time to consciously build our own paradigm. Yes, we need to build our own paradigm, but the IOT's paradigm is simply "calcified". Meanwhile, most of these people would cream themselves for an invite into the IOT.

[MaskedOne]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

No, I don't think it was the same one. It might be an earlier version.

I find it hilarous that the Chaos Magicians are high on the chart! Most forums, I tell them I'm a Chaote, and I practically get askance looks, where people ask one another, "Is this guy insane, or just stupid?"

Heh, Chaotes have useful ideas to steal. Flexibility in what to use against a problem is a great thing to have. I don't think I could claim to be one with any more honesty than if I started calling myself Wiccan or Pagan (I claim neither) but they're fun to have around and steal methods from.

[ThorsSon]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

This thread makes me think of this:



(Click it, then hold your mouse over the image on the original page)

[volcaniclastic]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

This thread makes me think of this:



(Click it, then hold your mouse over the image on the original page)

It's missing a field. After Mathematicans, it should say "Geology: stealing your sciences since the 17th century"

[AzazelEblis]

Re: Paths within Paganism looking down at each other

This thread makes me think of this:



(Click it, then hold your mouse over the image on the original page)

Its missing a field - philosophy has repeatedly tried to consume the discipline of Mathematics. When recasting the whole of mathematics as a specific application Pure Logic (a realm within Philosophy) a short, surprising, but persistent list of paradoxes arise.

You wanna be the pure of the pure? Get a degree in Philosophy. Along with all the self-righteous laughter you'll get at everyone else's expense, you'll cry at your inability to get a job that uses your degree.