Christians Defending Pagans?
So I’ve mentioned about the whole newspaper article (I think) on the pagan group that I meet with every Friday, if not, here’s the article: Page 1 Page 2. And I’ve mentioned how after the article was released, that two Fridays ago we had a bunch of Christians waving around the article saying “The Devil has come to Taneytown” outside the cafe, and how last Friday they were pacing around the cafe and praying for us.
Well apparently today in our newspaper a Christian decided to write an editorial on the pagans, and it goes something like this:
“Nearly 30 years ago a gang of Emmitsburg youths attacked a witch’s coven practicing their rituals on a nearby mountain. The story told around town was of a bloody beating given to the witches who made no attempt to defend themselves. The young men involved in the attack felt they had done the community a great service in driving those evil Satan worshippers from “our” mountain.
I grew to adulthood knowing of this great deed. Imagine my surprise to learn that pagans, witches, meet at a Taneytown coffee house that my family frequents!
So what have I done, a follower of the teachings of Christ? Did I take my family from the Irish Moon coffee house in outrage? Have I joined in a boycott of the establishment? Am I praying for Taneytown to be delivered from this evil? Am I trying to convert these lost and confused souls?
Nope. I’m talking to them, listening in on their discussions, making friends among them, reading their books, and feeling really stupid for not bothering to learn about them years ago! My friends who “defended” Emmitsburg would have behaved very differently had they stopped to learn what the coven was really about.
I hope the good people of Taneytown and Carroll County will take the time to meet their pagan neighbors. It would be a shame if a handful of ignorant people were allowed to drive these peaceful practitioners of a state recognized religion out of town.
My wife would have to find a new source for a “good” cup of coffee, while I’d despair for lack of interesting conversation.
Jack Deatherage, Jr.”
This makes me very happy. -THIS- is what it’s all about. Christians, actually no, people of ANY faith willing to accept those of other religions for who they are, are welcome at my doorstep any day.
I am in an ecstatically happy mood right now. I’m listening to great pagan music, I had a great day at work, Ex #4 and I seem to be doing great, things seem to be in the right harmony for me right now. Except my bronco is acting up a little but no worries about that.
Although we did have one dog come into work today that was apparently full of maggots. A German Shepherd. I didn’t get to see him full of maggots, but I saw him after they had shaved him and he had all kinds of large holes where the maggots had dug into his skin. Blech. I mean wtf, how do the owners not notice hundreds of maggots on the rear of their dog?
Well either way, the dog seems to be doing a lot better. Everyone seems to be doing a lot better. Blessed Be!
Entry viewed times. Posted in Religion and Spirituality
8 Responses to “Christians Defending Pagans?”
September 24th, 2002 at 3:24 pm
That is just amazing. I had to read those articles twice
I have to admit how Jealous I am that you even have an active Pagan community.
Hopefully by the time my son is older, Pagans will be more of the “norm” and articles like those won’t be written simply because everyone will get along.
Aren’t I the optimist.
September 24th, 2002 at 3:29 pm
ha ha, you never know. There are pagans out there every day fighting for pagans to become part of the ‘norm.’ I’d like to think eventually we will be. If we’re patient.
If only Christians were able to realize that they were in the same position at one time.
September 24th, 2002 at 11:00 pm
I saw that letter too, and I was so glad that people are actually bothering to find out about us and what we do.
September 25th, 2002 at 12:34 am
Jack Deatherage, Jr. is a wonderful man. Heh. I hope his letter makes a few people feel ashamed, and brings a bit more ease to your lives.
September 25th, 2002 at 1:29 am
Hey Crys,
I’ve been reading your previous journal entries and I was happy to see that someone sent a letter to the editor. It is very hard for me to digest that there is religious oppression still existing in the United States, and that people would actually protest against a Religion that they know nothing about.
I was (personally) thinking about writing a letter to your editor myself discussing the topic (if i could even do that, I would even go as far as to forge myself to get in), but someone already did it.
At least there are some sane Christians in your town.
September 25th, 2002 at 1:41 am
This is a bit off topic, and I’m sorry for that, but I was curious about the pictures of the stones and sand in your layout. And I’m not really sure how to ask this..but something along the lines of “What are they/do they symbolise?” ^^
September 25th, 2002 at 3:21 am
As far as I know, and I am no expert, those are pictures of Japanese Gardens. It’s strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism.
Basically this style garden is called “Karesansui Style” which is basically a dry garden. The white sand represents the oceans and the rocks are the hills. People make them as an artform, or they use them as a quiet place to meditate, reflect, etc.
I would assume it’s a lot like the pruning of Bonsai trees, which is also considered an artform and a type of meditative practice.
Some theories on rock gardens say that they were used in some sort of ancient ritual many centuries ago. Which I suppose could be true, if I had the patience I’d do it myself
Personally I think they are facinating and beautiful. And though I have yet to try and make one myself, I’d love to.
Here’s a website I found that has a least a little bit of info on the rock gardens: http://www.zengarden.co.za/
Hope this helps!
September 26th, 2002 at 3:22 am
Beautfil site