Ramblings of a Pagan Guy: Really Fox? Really?

Over the years, I have found that many a person has this strange idea when it comes to the Pagan faiths. It as if, you know as soon as one converts, they [the pagan] are thrown back to the middles ages. People have this rather quirky notion that pots and pans turn into wands and broomsticks, that tables and chair turning to sacrificial altars and stone circles. At best, many people think that once one devotes themselves to the God and Goddess, reality bleeds away is magically replaced with Hogwarts schools and Weasly like houses. At worse, they believe that our God and Goddess are just whores, or the Christian devil. With this miniblog series, it is my hope to not only document my time growing as a Pagan, but to address these and many more misunderstood concepts so that we will be see as people. We are not the demons some people try to make us out to be.
 

Keeping touch with various liberal and progressive groups on facebook, as well as there respected news sites, I get a lot of stories that make my head hurt. In fact, it's getting to the point where I just want to stop following everything all together. I'm sick of the political undertones, of the opinions being regarded as facts, and anyone with a over sized mouth is automatically right. But until the day when I finally throw up my hands and say to hell with it all, I must press on. After all, being a good red blooded Irish American I can always fancy myself a drink, a love of life, red heads and a good fight.

So we press on. 

When the muse hits me and I write my ramblings for what ever reason, I try to be direct and least insulting as possible, especially when it comes to religion. While having a go with the "elect" members of the WBC, I must know and remember they do not represent all of the followers of Christ. Just like pedophiles, "holy" murders and so on. The moment I forget myself and this, I become no better than them. Do I slip up from time to time? Sure I am only human after all, and to claim perfection on my part would just be stupid. But like I said, I know who the good ones are, who the bads ones are, and never willingly apply the few to the whole.

But you know what really pisses me off? Like "Omg I just my hot topic membership card, I am so Wiccan now." piss me off? When we have grown adults, who are responsible and portray "fair and balanced" aura on national TV, resemble nothing more than a pack of immature children in order to obtain ratings and attention. Honestly if all you are after is cash, then please refrain from calling yourself fair and balanced reporters of the news. But what the hell am I talking about? On February 15th, Fox and Friends aired what contained one the biggest demonstration of ignorance I have seen this year. Not only do the openly mock another faith, my faith, while whining about being persecuted, they do with mirth seen at good times with friends. How professional of them...

The whole thing was so horribly wrong and painful to watch, that I'm not even sure I'll get to it all in this posting... but I shall try me best.

Ramblings of a Normal Guy: A Rambling for Gay Marriage Part 2!

Welcome to another addition of ramblings of a normal guy. This is my special column where I go off on wild rants complaining about the things that happen and effect my (and ours) every day life. Because of the excessive amounts of stupidity that will be featured, a large amount of inappropriate language will most likely be used. Also expect a large helping of calling out and "I don't give a crap". Rated M for mature, and read at  your own risk.

WARNING: There might be some disturbing images in this rambling of people that where beaten and abused. This is the world we live in, and a world which such utter bullshit happens. I ask you not to look away, but if you must just be warned. Also as a note, this was suppose to be just a part two, but because of the length and amount of ranting, I had to move this to a three part project.

And so... here we are again.

When I was first considering writing the previous rambling for equal rights and equal marriage, it took a considerable amount of time to get from start to finish. Formulating the how and why took far more time than I first anticipated, my bad thinking it would be a quick fix. Eventually it took a mental push in the form of being forced asked to write this, to finally get the ball rolling and the paper finished. As I began to write, and the paragraphs started forming, I knew this wasn't going to be pretty. When one challenges a long held religious beliefs, especially when they are considered so central to ones faith, one must go about it slowly, logically and with care. If one does not, the entire thing will turn into nothing more than a bitch fest. After all, saying "You're stupid" doesn't even work for kids anymore... So then, when the job was finally completed, five big points where addressed that opponents like to use to justify their mistrust/hate/oppression with equal rights. When I hit the publish button I knew it wouldn't take long to get interesting emails. Oh boy where they fun too. But all in all, I was pretty much done with the subject. I was also content to have just one issue of it because, if you allow me a moment of pride, I thought one was enough. Anything more would just be an annoying circle jerk and saying the same bloody thing over and over and over again.


Then I had the unfortunate pleasure of being refereed to NOM's recent video.

Ramblings of a Pagan Guy: Growing Pains

Over the years, I have found that many a person has this strange idea when it comes to the Pagan faiths. It as if as soon as one converts, they [the pagan] are thrown back to the middles ages. People also have this rather quirky notion that pots and pans turn into wands and broomsticks, that tables and chair turning to sacrificial altars and stone circles. To many people think that once one devotes themselves to the God and Goddess, reality bleeds away is magically replaced with Hogwarts schools and Weasly like houses. They also believe that our God and Goddess are just whores, or even worse the Christian devil. With this mini-set it is my hope to address these and many more misunderstood concepts so that we will be see as people too. We are not the demons some people try to make us out to be.

Before we begin, let’s be 100% honest with ourselves; growing up can be a real - well I let you choose your descriptive word there...

Forcefully being removed from a blissful world of near perfect entertainment with friends, caring for nothing and using your parents money like candy is not a super awesome thing. Being forcefully injected into a world of cold hard and unforgiving reality is not something anyone embraces either. But that's life, as they say. Traversing the sands of time towards the march of adulthood, our childhood joys are replaced with worries about puberty, voice cracking, social awkwardness, jobs, pay checks, taxes, bills, dating, Facebook and so much more. When you throw in our “glorious” technological age where every embarrassing moment can be recorded and put on YouTube in under ten seconds, one wonders how teens don’t suffer more mental break downs.

So yea, life just sucks sometimes....

When last we gathered, I wrote about how Christianity just wasn’t working for me, even at a young age. Even then I had to many question, to many thoughts that didn't add up, and to many “you will understand when you are older” comments in response. 

Having survived the test of time, and being far older now than I was then, I really find such comments insulting. Hey how about instead of dodging the question, you actually come up with some answers? This is your faith after all, isn't? How can a baby be born evil? There is no sin there, that child is the closest thing to purity humanity we will ever see. If God is sovereign and controls everything, what right does he have to punish people doing his will (be it good or bad)? If Christ was all about peace, love, helping EVERYONE, why do so many of his followers scoff at doing such?

Like I said, to many questions, zero acceptable answers.

So after much soul searching, research, and help from actual supportive people, I am now part of the Pagan fold. But what does any of this blabbering (I know I do tend to ramble on) have to do with today’s Rambling of a pagan guy? As we already know from personal experience, growing up today is not a easy thing to do. When anyone grows up willingly embracing a religion many considering "Satanic", well that just makes a bad trip worse. Today's rambling is part of the on going thing to record my experiences as a teen and young adult, and part message to the younger generation of Pagans out there. We "old heads" know what you are going threw, and we know the constant pain and mental abuse you experience at the hands of ignorance.

You are not alone.

Ramblings of a Normal Guy: A Rambling for Gay Marriage

Welcome to another addition of ramblings of a normal guy. This is my special column, where I go off on wild rants complaining about the things that happen and effect my (and ours) every day life. Because of the excessive amounts of stupidity that will be featured, a large amount of inappropriate language will most likely be used. Also expect a large helping of calling out and "I don't give a crap". Rated M for mature, and read at  your own risk.

So before we do this, I need to get a few things straight;

As many of you know by now, I have this growing desire to be pat of and participate in the human rights moment. Why? Because... well it's just not right how humans treat each other. It's deplorable really. The color of one's skin should not dictate social standing, just like who one's love shouldn't get them chained to a car and dragged to death. Seriously, how could anyone thing this is ok to do? How the fuck could anyone think it's ok to kill another because they are gay? All people are equal, all people have the right to life and all people have the right to love. No "god", no bullshit religion, and no book could nor should ever take that away. And no, being gay doesn't lead to bestiality. So it was probably because of this belief, that I was asked to write a essay for gay marriage. Sure, no big there! Yet confident in my choose, a bit of iffyness hits me. It can be best described as doing something you know is right, but also knowing it isn't going to be pretty. As I'm sitting here formulating how I'm going to write this, my brain box races with different ways this will all play out. The purpose of this rambling is to open eyes, not a bitch fest.*1 I happen to know a few people who are very religious, one happens to be a great friend. I want to go about this to show that gay marriage really isn't this horrid thing, not do anything to offend his beliefs. Can I actually do this? 
 

Another point I want to make before I begin in this; when one uses the bible to make arguments about anything of a (non)religious nature, a certain mind set is present. The bible is a two thousand old year old book that many believe is without question or suspect. Within the pages, such people say that nothing is subject to interpretation, nothing is in need of being "updated" to current times and nothing is in need of editing in, out or changed. The bible is a book said to have divine inspiration, and as such should not be held to any mortal law or thought. Each person should and MUST have the right to believe in what they hold true, even if we and others think them batshit insane. While I may find much of Christianity suspect, and the ideas of Creationism just silly, each person that holds true belief in it, must forever be allowed to do so in peace. Religion and faith is their personal relationship in the Divine, not a bloody boxing match! My only problem comes when people use such religion for ego, profit or (in this case) to deny others civil rights. 

Religion is yours to keep, not force on others.

Now that I'm here, and as I further organize my thoughts about this, and I'm just about ready to get started, I come to the realization I will probably offend some people. No matter how one puts it, how nicely it is said or what evidence is presented, there will always be at least one person who takes offense. When one mixes speaking about human rights, taboos and the bible, well let's just say it rarely ends well. As I said before, people have very specific and fixed ideas when it comes to their religious worlds, and when questioned, it is rarely handled civilly. But I seem to be repeat loop here. The purpose of today's Ramblings of a Normal Guy is not to insult or shake ones faith. If you are offended by this, and you are not a egotistical a-hole, I do apologize but ask you to read on. If it shakes your faith in what ever you hold, these are issues you should probably address with yourself.

So yea... here goes.

How WBC fails: God H8's 19/19

The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section, we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power. 

Part: 19/19

Name: Accept Jesus as your personal savior- Pt 19 WBC's GOD H8S vid

Link:  http://www.twitvid.com/UWO1T
Update: Videos have been removed. Blog now shows video of all of them combined. 

Bible Verse use:

John 6:44: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day."


And so here we are...

With the final movie of the god h8's series now under review,  this blogger finds himself recalling the past and how much it has effected him. All I need now is some prune juice, a rocking chair and some kids to tell "back in my day"... When I look back at all the traveling I have done, all the people I have met because of joining the anti-wbc movement, I see how this endeavor has allowed me to see so much more than the sheltered child of my youth could. I have always said how there is a HUGE difference between saying and actually being part of a religion, but to see it first hand. It's can be a beautiful and wonderful thing at times or like in the case of our cult, perverted to be a horrid disgusting thing. I have seen how belief and faith are what truly makes a person, not just saying the religion they follow. I have seen that while life does get better, victory can not be claimed just yet. Hate, discrimination, deceit and just not giving a damn still have a iron hold. So much so that no single event will ever change it. Remember back a little under four years ago, when the presidential elections where taking place? For the first time in... well ever, a black man was running for the highest office in the land. Not only was he running, but with a amazing use of his well devolved public speaking skills he actually won! For many, this seemingly impossible election heralded the end of racial hate. It was thought that with the election of this single man the long history of inequality would finally close. >_> The whole race card thing would become a thing of the past, and things like "you're black" and "you're white" would be replaced with "you're human" Yea right, this is humanity we are talking about! Despite all the feel good mojo we had floating around, the worse still pollutes it. Violence and misdeeds committed against people because of bullshit excuse of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation remains a serious problem in America.

How WBC Fails: God H8's 15/19

The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section created for the WBC Cult Exposed we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power. 


Part: 15/19

Name: Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself- Pt 15 of WBC's GOD H8S vid

Link:  http://www.twitvid.com/NPEXH
Update: Videos have been removed. Blog now shows video of all of them combined. 

Bible Verse use:

Lev 19:17-18: Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Video had to be switched, other one taken down.

I embed the above video (don’t worry, I’ll still have some cat pics somewhere in here) today because I think it speaks a lot to my discontent and sheer disgust of this WBC video, and well the cult in general. We have so many problems in the world; more than one person can ever fix, is it not time we come together as a whole and address these problems? Shouldn’t we abandon silly notions of skin color, sexual preference and even religious prodigious to work together to better the world we live in? I mean we only get one, it’s not like we can all move to Mars after trashing this place. Love can and will find a way, but only if we give it a chance!  Look at these kids, all of them from different backgrounds; you think they care what the color of a person’s skin is? What their faith is? If they are gay or straight? These kids are suffering from serious illness, and they still create something so ... glorious! How frigging amazing is that?!?! They create a beautiful world by light and shadow, and I am not ashamed to admit it brings a tear to my eye. The shear beauty, the... damn I could go on and on about them. But regrettably this little musing isn't about them, its about... not so happy things. Back at the WBC, spewing hate, purposely causing pain for some fucked up ego? Disgusting! This will not help our future, this won’t help anyone! It’s horrid, its- sorry, I seem to be going off on a rant here…

Me too kitty, me too...

Religious Nuts Exposed: God H8's 1/19

The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section, we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.

Before we begin with this (what is now popular) rebuking and discreating thing, I would like to begin with a short story. You know, It’s kinda funny how one small event can have such a HUGE impact. Of course once you think about it, life is full of such events isn't it? Your first kiss, your first bump on the head, that time you learn fire is frigging hot.... all little life events that shape and form the greater part of what we are. Ah fond memories.

When I began this little thing with the Westboro Baptist Church (or the WBC is you prefer) I really didn't think much would come of it; nor did I honestly think it would last long. Sure, I would counter protest them when they made their appearances; I would have a bit of fun trolling their twitter, but that would be it. It's basically what any other young blooded (at least at the time I was) American would do. Besides, my free time is far to short, and I have far more important things to doing. Why waste any of it worrying about some hick inbreeds who use religion as an excuse for insanity. Hell I still have video games to finish playing! Disgaea here I come!

But frack me, it didn't end there.