Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Let us begin......

Well, hello there.  So.... where does one begin a blog?  I don't know.  Who cares, really?  Let's just go.  I'll start by telling you a little bit about me.  I'm a single mom going through a divorce.  I'm pagan.  I can get up on a soapbox fairly easily.  But when I do, I try to make sure I'm as intelligent about my opinions as possible.  I know... it's not very easy to stay intelligent and rational should emotions become involved.  So, I'm human.  I can't promise a whole lot, but I will try.  And then, of course, for those of you who know me really well, if I don't get a little emotional from time to time, I'm pretty sure you'll start wondering what's wrong.

But let me get back to "I'm pagan".  Seems like a good place to start.  This is one of those things that I can easily pull the soapbox out for.  For those who really don't know, even if you THINK you do, pagan is NOT interchangeable with Wiccan.  Yes, Wicca is a pagan religion.  But not all pagans are Wiccan.  Pagan is a broad umbrella term that generally covers everything not covered under Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.  Saying all pagans are Wiccan would be like saying all Christians are Baptist.  So like under Christianity, you have Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Nazarene..... the list could go on and on..... under paganism, you have Wicca, the various Native American beliefs, Buddhism, Hinduism, Druidism, Asatru, Confucianism, Taoism..... again the list could go on and on.  I say this because I am not Wiccan.  Please don't get me wrong.  There are a great many aspects to Wicca that I respect, and there are a great many people who are Wicca whom I admire greatly.  That's not my point.  I simply don't want there to be any confusion.  I myself really don't like labels as a general rule.  But if I were to give myself a label, it would be something along the lines of eclectic pagan.  You see, I believe that within most religious practices, there is, at the very core, an aspect of truth.  When I was in college, and I went to a Christian college, I had a professor who made a simple statement that I have never forgotten.  He said "Truth is truth, no matter where you find it."  You can only imagine how well that went over with those students who were of the mindset that there is only one truth.  But it made sense to me.  Since then, that has been at the core of my personal set of beliefs.  I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all religion, I don't believe that any one way is the "right" way.  So, I don't go around trying to convert anyone, and I expect that same in return.  An intelligent conversation is great.  Let's talk, let's discuss, ask questions and listen to each other.  That's how we learn.  And I'm sorry, but anyone-- from any religion, group, political affiliation or whatever-- who claims that they've got it all figured out, their way is the only way, they know it all, or whatever..... that person is an idiot.  No one knows everything.  There's always something new out there.  And believe me, I can say that because there was a time when I thought I knew everything.  I used to be a Christian.  And I was one of the annoying ones.  You know, the one that is always walking around carrying a bible just waiting for the chance to "witness" to someone, anyone.  Again, please don't get me wrong.  Not all Christians are like that.  And I am not here to bash Christians or anyone else.  My parents are Christians, and they are great, wonderful people.  But as we are all human, we all have faults.  There are good and bad everywhere.  There are great Christians, and there are those that become dangerous.  The same is true of paganism, Islam, Judaism...... rebpublicans, democrats, socialists, communists....  the wealthy, the poor...... nothing is perfect.  Perfection is overrated anyway.  Where's the fun?

Ok, so I guess that's my first blog.  Wow!  Not what I expected, but oh well.  I want to write about serious stuff, fun stuff..... all sorts of stuff.  Maybe it will make you laugh.  Maybe it will make you think.  Maybe it will piss you off.  Good!  Then you'll be thinking about it.  Until next time....

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