Sometimes I get some very rude comments on my blog. Most of the time, I just delete them - I don’t need the negativity. I do find it interesting that nine times out of ten, they come from someone claiming to be a pagan.
Such was the case in my last blog entry. Here it is, with my response. It’s just too good to let it hide under comments.
Robyn writes:
This site is wonderful! You seem like a very nice sort…and you illustrate a thought I’ve had for a long time. That Witchcraft should be made illegal, so that the Playgans will go back to Christianity and it will drive the serious ones underground. I have come to think that this neo Wiccan stuff is just Christianity with multiple deities, and it looks like it… you can switch back and forth with ease.
May you have luck on your chosen path, whichever one it is!
My response:
lol - well, Robyn, I can honestly say that it’s been a long time since I’ve received such an interesting backhand compliment. I’m afraid you’ve erred in a few of your assumptions, however; please allow me to correct you.
One, I never was a wiccan. I was adopted into a Fam Trad family that was based on British Traditional Witchcraft, but my personal practice was one of druidism/celtic reconstructionism.
I was hardly what one could consider a *playgan* by any stretch of the imagination; indeed I helped found a local inter-religious pagan council here, was president of it for several years, helped write and perform many rituals; was head of the Witches’ Ball Committee for many years, and was even a pagan minister, ministering to the pagan group at the world’s largest faith-based prison.
I just hope I can be half a good a Christian, as I was a pagan.
As to “switching back and forth with ease” - I would hardly consider that the case, and if you had read any of my blogs, you too would have seen that’s simply not the case. In fact it was a very difficult decision to come to, it wasn’t easy at all, and that’s what the whole blog is about.
Once home, however, I found peace, love and a joy that I never experienced in the 13 years I was a practicing pagan.
As to making witchcraft illegal, I’m a firm believer in religious freedom. However, I am certain that if beginners to paganism were to be welcomed from an enlightened soul such as yourself, the wise ones would high-tail it straight back to Christianity.
And you know what? We’d be happy to take them, with love, compassion and understanding as Christ taught us to do.
I’ll pray for you, Robyn. It surely seems as if you need it.
and her email to me:
I never claimed to be a pagan! You put those words in my mouth! I am NOT a pagan. I said I was a WITCH. Two different words with completely seperate meanings. Pagans believe in GODS, I don’t. My craft goes to the deities, we’re too familiar with them to bow our knees.
I figured you’d delete it, it’s the proper passive aggressive thing to do.
The comment is still there, dear. As is your email to me. I’ve added it to my entry so everyone can see just how you are.
As to age? I’m 47. How old are you?
Apparantly, Robyn has yet to figure out that she’s just getting a notification of my reply on the blog, and continues to reply through email. I prefer to continue it on the blog, so everyone can see. Here’s her comment to mine:
“Good for you! I am 45, but still, I can tell you are insecure… you may be 47, but you are a very insecure 47. Still trying to prove to yourself that you made the right decision. I am backing you up! You did! You are exactly the reason people leave Christianity.
Robyn”
And my response:
I’d hardly consider blogging about one’s trials and tribulations in one’s religious paths, an insecure act. But you’re free to believe it is, if it makes you happy.
I know who I am, where I’ve been, who I’ve been, what I’ve done, and where I am now. I know, without a doubt in my mind - that I have made the right decision. Yes, it is entirely possible for one to be a pagan one day - and convert to Christianity, the next. I do hate to dissapoint you, but no, that doesn’t make me a playgan, that doesn’t make me indecisive, it doesn’t make me insecure, it doesn’t make me passive aggressive - it makes me true to my heart, and to my calling.
My blog is simply there to help others if they so choose. If some wish to continue on to the Heartsease site? The link’s right there, top right hand corner.
Wow. She really nailed that one on the head didn’t she? /sarcasm
And druidism made out of thin air? Um, yeah. At least we have some basis, like, ohhhhhhh the myths and legends. *sigh* Religion is religion, it suits different people in different ways. Such a waste of emotional baggage.
actually freaky I think (as you well know) that druidism is the most well-founded and sound of the pagan traditions. But I forgot. She’s not pagan. She’s a WITCH - and doesn’t believe in deities.
Tsk, tsk. Gotta love semantics. Particularly, when one displays obvious ignorance of said religion.
emotional baggage? You mean like Selkie’s constantly having to prove she made the right decision? Or like her trying to trap pagans and forcing them to see her re absorption back into the Borg by using the pagan web page? Selkie is a person who constantly needs reaffirmation. “see?” “see?” constantly reaffirming herself. “See? I do things to piss off my old group, they do, then I laugh at them, and this tells me I made the right decision”. Absolutely, I agree, you did. And when I come and say it, ooh the ants nest is in a tither! And I am agreeing with you!
If I wanted to piss people off, I would have gotten rid of the old site altogether. I haven’t done that, I understand others find use for it. One day I may choose to delete it, but for now it stays. And it’s linked right up there for whomever wishes to view it. But I would be untrue to myself if I were to leave the site up without also noting that I have changed, I am no longer that person, that is no longer what I believe.
Do I want others to see that I’ve converted? Absolutely. I think it’s a wonderful thing. I want others to see that yes, it is a hard struggle - but it’s worth it.
This is a blog - surely you understand the concept? One talks about things that interest them. This is what interests me. You’re free to rage about it if you like, but personally I think it’d be a whole lot of wasted energy doing so. If you don’t like it - move along. I’m not holding you here against your will. Surely you can find some newbies to torment.
She’s not doing this to piss people off. In fact, one truly Irish quality, is the ability to absorb various things and meld them into something that works (The Irish Church is a great example of this).
And forcing? How is she forcing anyone to do anything? It’s a website, navigate away. It’s not like she has a cosmic gun to your head, making you read every single keystroke she types. The one thing, that even I complain about, with the pagan community, is the baggage at which they arrive to the path. That baggage is very anti-Christian, Jews get a free pass by virtue of Kabbalism. I got to the point where I tend to not attend pagan events because of that baggage. It’s highly distasteful and distracts from the growth of the individual. I’m pagan and I support Selkie’s decision to seek a different path. In fact, if Druidism didn’t exist, I’d have probably converted to Anglicism or Episcopalian.
Right…
I think you must get a lot of people thanking you for that! They think they’re going to a pagan site and get your blog, wow, if you think that, then you truly are kidding yourself. But then, you don’t strike me as someone who knows herself well. As George Bush says, you flip flop.
I definitely understand the concept of blog, where someone can say something and not keep it private. Blogging is not for people who don’t want to share what they say with as many people as possible.
It is typical of Christians to try to make other people see their conversion… it’s why missionaries are out busily trying to convert the last few remaining indigenies into alcoholics, I definitely understand that as well. We’ve seen the effects for centuries.
You have been assimilated!
Since I have agreed with you through most of this, and wish you’d take most of the neoplaygans back with you, why the tiff? I think you are a great Christian, and embody exactly what makes Christianity such a large religion… so what’s the tiff? Why do you keep having to prove yourself to your old ‘homies’?
Sounds to me like you are still pissed at something and you just can’t drop it and let go… if you want, I will post your blog on my myspace and get it out there so as many possible pagans who want to convert back will see it. :o)
well, you’re the one being hostile, not me. I’m just addressing your very angry posts. What I can’t understand is - why on earth would you care what religion I am?
Am I not allowed to have an opinion? Am I not allowed to express my love for Christ? Why yes, yes I believe I am. Just as you are free to express your beliefs, I’m free to express mine.
Wow. I’m floored. Why do you care so much what religion someone else follows?
As someone who was raised as witch, I have to say you sound an awful lot like someone who converted from Christianity and brought a whole ton o’baggage with her she never put down.
Some Christians are bigoted asshats. So are some witches. Their spiritual/religious/magical paths have zip to do with that.
i find this amusing….in that i’ve *never* seen you bash anyone for being pagan. *shakes head* some people’s children…
nor would I. Everyone has their own path to follow.
right… man… just watching you lie to yourself, that’s all. Who said I was trying to get you to come back? I just have issues with you using your pagan website as a lure to lure people into see your blog, but I see you still have baggage that you MUST air. Really though, you must get this often, since you put yourself ‘in harms way’ as they say… like if I invaded a Christian site with my pagan site… they’d love that too! I can see you’re really in it for selfless reasons! :o)
Have you talked with your local parson about this need? You know, associating with us exposes you to SATAN! In fact, if I go cast a spell against you, you will be even more associated with SATAN! And this is what your church teaches, will you deny that witches are of satan? and if not, can I tell this to your local pastor or whatever ? OR are you the kind of Christian who doesn’t go to church… just wondering… never seen anyone do the things you are doing. It’s why I wonder at your motives.
lie to myself? actually, I’ve never been more honest with myself.
I’m sorry if you don’t understand my reasonings for why I do my websites this way; I’ve tried to explain it as clearly as I can. You can have issues with it if you want, but I’m still not going to change it. They’re my websites, I created them, I can do with them as I wish. Considering both HeartsEase and Prodigal Pagan are my sites, it can hardly be said that I’m *invading* a pagan site, lol. And like I said - it’s not like I don’t have a link to the Heartsease site on my blog.
Actually I’ve only had you and another pagan who showed any kind of hostility towards me and my beliefs. You seem very angry to me, but at least you can type in complete sentences! Most pagans who are redirected to my blog, either read a few pages, or just go straight to the Heartsease site.
I’m not really sure what point you’re trying to make with this whole “Satan” arguement, you’re making assumptions about me that simply aren’t true. You seem to have a very poor opinion of Christians - most Christians I know, do not pass judgement on others. I try not to, either; I’ve certainly been where you are now. You believe what you believe for a reason, as did I. People change, grow; I certainly did, and my path lead me back to Christ. I praise God for it everyday. I’ve never felt so much peace and joy before. Is it always easy? Heck no - but then, that’s what my blog is for.
It’s a shame that you’re lumping all Christians together into some kind of negative stereotype, instead of getting to know me. I think I have explained what my motives are, in my responses to you and all through my blog. You just don’t like what my motives are, and that’s fine. You don’t have to. I’m not here to please everyone.
However. I don’t think there is much more we can add to this discussion Robyn, without it being a negative thing for both of us. So I will just bid you peace.
Peace, Robyn.
Honey a couple of my favorite people in the world are Christians. You’re doing just fine. Follow your heart, follow where it leads you.
I havent seen you once say it’s wrong not to be Christian, only that at this point in your life it is right for *YOU* to convert to that faith
Sorry, have to put my .02 cents in….
THESE ARE HER WEBSITES. What part of that do you not understand? Because she paid for the domain, the hosting, the development of these 2 sites, she is more than welcome to link between the two.
Now, if you somehow managed to hack into my spiritual blog, holy hell would I unleash something upon you. That is not your site, you did not pay for it, you do not maintain it or have anything to do with it.
And someone casting a spell against someone, does not mean that the target is associated with Satan. In the terms of the Inquisition, it means someone associated with Satan is targeting the target. Get your logic straight, please.
Yes… and I hope you find peace in yourself too… and a decent relationship! I have peace… I know exactly what i want and do not battle with myself or choose sneaky ways to constantly reaffirm it. I hope that one day, you can too.
I don’t get what your major maladjustment is.
I’ve known Selchie for over 10 years and travelled in the same occult circles with her. She walks her walk, with the highest integrity.
She’s changed her spiritual path - so whats that to you? She has my support, and the support of all who have known her. I can’t grok why a veritable stranger has such a stake in her conversion.
Selch has always shared her journey online - why would now be any different?
uh… ok. riiiight.
well, anyways, thanks for filling in those gaps, selkie. didn’t know what to make of robyn’s post there.
speaking of the problem of acting on impulse thoughtlessly - on my side, my first was to be offended, altho i couldn’t exactly figure out what was going on. reading her further emails/posts, my second was to laugh mockingly and the third to explain where robyn’s various individual points were philosophically incorrect. all completely wrong, besides the point, and not in the slightest use to robyn.
robyn: it’s not religion. it’s not history. it’s not other people. it’s you, girl, it’s you.