Hatred toward pagans?

[MysticPhD]

I wouldn't presume to deny the existence of hatred . . . it is everywhere. But . . . I think we do a disservice to differences of opinion and worldviews when we characterize those differences as hatred in the absence of clear evidence of such powerful negative emotions. It is not only possible . . . it is usual for differences of great magnitude to exist without any hatred involved. Just saying!

[achickenchaser]

Just based on some of the Christians I was around growing up, I'd say there was some hate towards pagans. Of course, there was also hate towards any other religion besides their own, not to mention fighting amongst themselves. I don't really think pagans were singled out from any other group of "heathens."

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by pamelaBeurman

Well, Christianity did borrow quite a bit from Pagan religions.

Just saying.........

Of course they did!

Anytime you have one culture melding with another, there is bound to be blending. It's human nature.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by reed067

The majority of Christians do believe as I stated the rest have no clue as to what we believe. Whicl I don't agree personally mixing Christiany/Paganism I applad you for at least taking the time to learn something about Paganism.

I think it depends upon where you are. In an area like this where there are so many different people of different backgrounds and religion, pagans are not all that unusual. Every other town has its store with books and spells and incense and candles and mustic and whatnot. Perhaps thirty years back when such places were new and different, there was some outcry, but nowadays it's all sort of ho-hum, nothing new to see here. I knew people who were practicing witchcraft, and some people who were actually worshippers of Satan, which seems to have died out somewhat, unless I just don't come across them, when I was a teenager in the Seventies. I think it took a while for others to sort out that those two groups weren't one and the same. Some are still confused, of course, but you're always going to have close-minded people. Hell, there are close-minded, judgmental pagans who assign all sorts of untrue assumptions to all Christians, aren't there.

Don't need your "applause", but thank you. I have ALWAYS been interesting in other religions and cultures, since childhood, and I'm in my fifties now. I believe we have a lot to learn from one another, and I don't believe that any one religion has some kind of special handle on the "right" answer Not everyone's opinion, yes, I do understand that, but it's mine.

[PatsCats]

The area where I live is pretty good for Pagans. They mostly leave us alone. Maybe because we have a fairly large community and are pretty visible, having had annual open-to-the-public Pagan Pride Day events for a decade, among other well-publicized and well-attended events. There is safety in numbers.

We occupied eight pages of the local newspaper over two days back in 2002. The local response was about 2/3 positive, and the 1/3 negative responses were, while rather condescending, most often written kindly. "Those poor lost souls..."

Having said that, I have heard that some Pagans in my area have been evicted from their rental units for "being Pagan." I have also heard that some of those same Pagans were habitually late paying their rent, using drugs in their unit, etc. I am smart enough to know that there are three sides to any story; landlord's, renter's and the truth.

[reed067]

Originally Posted by PatsCats

The area where I live is pretty good for Pagans. They mostly leave us alone. Maybe because we have a fairly large community and are pretty visible, having had annual open-to-the-public Pagan Pride Day events for a decade, among other well-publicized and well-attended events. There is safety in numbers.

We tried to get a PPD here in Coumbia, Sc a few years back everyone was a fan of doing it & supported us. Online anyhow. No one really wanted to get involved other wise. I'm moving to Fayetteville, Nc in a couple of week & from what I've seen they are a GREAT Pagan community & a PPD! I can't wait!