Wicca and Politics
The recent defeat of John Kerry seems to have brought a number of pagans out of the woodwork who have pretty strong opinions on what we, as clergy, should be doing in order to rectify this situation. Doom and gloom predictions abound, along with misguided advice on what we can do in order to avert the "inevitable." Pagan mailing lists are FULL of political rhetoric, and how we should believe as proper clergy and proper members of our religions.
Well bollocks! I disagree with Starhawk. I don't think that politics and paganism MUST be linked. I don't believe that political activism is an essential part of being clergy. And, *gasp* I don't even think that in order to be Pagan you MUST be a democrat. Forgive me for being difficult, but I'm personally tired of rock flinging, us vs. them, and all others who are telling me how I should believe and what I "must" read in order to have the proper viewpoint, and what actions I "must" take in order to be a good Wiccan.
I thought being Wiccan was about being the best possible person I could be, about leading by example, and about following the Rede. NOT about what I must do in order to further someone else's political agenda. I'm perfectly capable of picking up a newspaper or otherwise researching what topics of politics I feel are worth my time and attention, and then making the decision of how best to deal with them. I truly do not need others telling me what I need to do.
So there!
Comments
I think we can defintely think for ourselves and it is up to the individual in regards to politics. I, for one, voted for Kerry because I think Bush is dangerous for our country and he has gone one record against Wiccans, i.e. the comments he made as Texas governor against Wiccans in the Texas National Guard. Also, Bush is against the right to choose and he is against gay rights. This is the era of the new "Jim Crow." Instead of the "N" word it is now the "N" word. This is the first time in history where there could be an admendment to the Constitution that infringes on the rights of a group of people. Nevertheless, I digress. We as pagans/witches can make up our own minds but Bush was scary so I can understand the ferocity of some pagan "celebrities'" reactions in this past election.
Posted by: tara | November 12, 2004 10:26 PM
I meant: Instead of the "N" word, it is now the "F" word. Sorry about that. The dh has Enterprise playing on TiVo and I am quite distracted! Bad Tara I am!
Posted by: tara | November 12, 2004 10:29 PM
Oh, definitely, I agree that the man is a threat and evil and I voted against him. The deal that I have the most difficulty with is when I'm told that I *must* discuss politics with others, and that if I don't agree with everything they say, I'm obviously not really Wiccan/Pagan/etc. Not every single thing Bush has done has been wrong. Not every single thing Kerry has done has been right. Both sides are full of corrupt, hateful, greedy, selfish individuals who wish to further their own personal agenda and to "hell" with the rest of us. I get just as tired by the "liberals" telling me what I should think as I do by the "conservatives."
So there :-) Foo!
Posted by: ooblick | November 14, 2004 02:15 PM
I agree. Just because we are witches/pagans does not mean we have to bang the drum and march in protest. We have the choice but are no means obligated. I am political but it has nothing to do with the fact I am a witch. In addition, I am tired of the "militantism" that tends to prevade pagansim i.e. Starhawk and Z. Budapest. I think some have the tendency to drift from the spritiual side of the path.
Posted by: tara | November 18, 2004 05:58 PM
Also, I agree that not all "Dems" have it right and not all of the GOP is wrong. There is too much bipartisanship. I am pro-choice but also feel I should have the right to carry unlike most Dems. I am in favor of the environment but some Dems tend to go overboard and lose the point. But I must say that most of what the GOP stands for, I am against. I guess nothing is black and white.
Posted by: tara | November 18, 2004 06:02 PM