Let 'em know

And if they burn from it, it's their own fucking fault.

We Pagans have walked the Earth for centuries, we do now what we've done then. Nothing has changed, it's time to make the world realize.

We were never gone, we were always here - we'll be here forever.

I'm a little shaken at the fact some of you have to hide - it's not fair to you or who you hide from. Don't create a blanket for yourself - if you have to endure life in it's more raw and relentless forms only then will you ever become one with the Eye of the Storm.

I don't hide, I let everyone know, I'm Brandon, I'm Pagan, and I don't give a fuck if it offends you. If someone is offended by a religion then that says everything about them. Intolerance is stupidity and is the disinterest of the endless quest for knowledge.

If our presence sparks their declaration of War so mote it be; I'm a little tired of being called Unholy when a bunch of fools not know the true root and meaning of the word. We are with plenty of spirit, lets make it be known.

Should you still hide - then I'm going to find you personally and drag your shanklin ass out into the sunlight and let you take the breathe of air our beloved Eternal Mother grants us all. Breathe of Life isn't earned, it's ours to inhale or else it wouldn't be there.

We're meant to be free - not imprisoned or enslaved.

Let 'em know I say to you who still cower - I know you are no coward so stop living life on your knees; with your head down. Your life is yours to live, so live it well and without fear.

With Love,
Your friendly neighborhood - stern, stubborn, sob. + everything else.
Brandon

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Raven Shadow Hawk on October 17, 2008 at 6:30am: I have to say that I don't hide. If people ask, I tell, and I am openly Pagan. But I don't go into people's faces with it. I don't have a need for it. But it appears that Brandon has had enough and feels the need to charge forward.
Blessings to all,
Raven S. Hawk; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by FarmieD on October 17, 2008 at 6:54am: Oh Joy!
More fodder fer th cannon

How many rocks are you gonna turn over young fella?
Who says any of us are hiding?
Who says we live in fear?

You want to wave a banner n beat th drum, go ahead we wont stop you
When yer dead buried n fergotten we'll keep livin, breathin n makin those small changes in other ppls lives that makes livin wi them easier
We'll teach, we'll learn, not all of us want to be a martyr like you
I'll wish you well wi my fave quote
"Bye! Have fun stormin th castle!"
"Think they'll make it?"
"Not a chance"
"Bye!!!"; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by rattlegrasshare on October 17, 2008 at 8:46am: go brandon!

I'm openly pagan but then I live in scotland.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MistyDawn01 on October 17, 2008 at 9:48am: I agree with you Brandon. I am not going to force my beliefs on someone but I will not hide them either. One of the reasons there is so much discrimination out there is not only due to people staying in the proverbial broom closet but closed minded people as well. I grew up in a family where my grandfather was a preacher, two uncles were preachers, and where I always felt left on the outside. I now have a nine year old son who goes to ritual and classes with me as well as attends church when he stays with his father. I allow this so that he can make a choice on his own and to open his mind. I wish there were more pagan groups and activities for kids but that won't happen until we come together and put ourselves out there. People fear what they do not know. We're not talking about our sexual preferences, we're not talking about the color of some one's skin, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR FAITH AND BELIEFS.....Practicing and hiding in the shadows is getting us no where and as long as we continue to do that we will always be held back, held down, and persecuted.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Isenhelm on October 17, 2008 at 10:20am: The Kindred I belong to sets aside one weekend a month for the children. It's taken on the form of a heathen boyscouts/girlscouts in recent months. Nature walks, lessons on the runes, tales of the gods while eating smores around a fire, tracking and just about anything else that comes to mind are all included. It's gone quite well and we have been thinking of formalizing it. It's not named anything yet. We've even had some non-heathen parents ask if they and their children can be involved recently.

There is also something called the Spiral Scouts. I'm not sure what it entails but they always have a booth at the PPDs here.

Not everyone lives their lives under the subjugation of fundies. A severe mentality towards forcing someone to recognize you is usually counterproductive. To be frank, I find that the people who whine about being held down, and persecuted and try to rally people are quite often those that don't have the will to stand alone. I hardly think that this "persecution" people speak of is true persecution. Are you really being held down? Are you truly held as pariahs? Or is it that that you aren't secure enough with your belief that you just feel this way because people look at your jewelry oddly? Do the miserable few people that antagonize you really rent that much space in your head? Do you feel a need for drama and have underlying antagonistic tendencies?

I'm not directing this at any one person. I also realize that in certain rare circumstances, someone might actually be persecuted. I'm writing this from the USA and don't know what it's like in some other countries.
I also realize that the above questions will probably anger some individuals ,but I feel that those who are most angered by them are the people that need to think about them the most.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dave S. on October 17, 2008 at 10:17am: The thing with me is that I don't feel a need to flaunt or display my beliefs... I woudn't consider them hidden, I guess for lack of a better description I feel secure enough to not have to put them on display for others -- If people ask me what I believe or most of the time don't believe in I tell them... I chuckle and tell them it is alright when they ask about my soul or that they will pray for me.

I will always say though that people should be proud of who they're and what they believe in.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PamWiccan on October 17, 2008 at 11:50am: I am with you my friend. I do not hide my heritage. I wear my necklace proudly and if someone asks what it is I tell them I am a witch. It would be like a slap in the face to my Mother Goddess to hide who I am. I have been told im evil but it does not bother me, names are nothing.
I am a proud Wiccan/Pagan love my Goddess.

Blessed Be!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lea on October 17, 2008 at 11:55am: I'm with you Brandon, if we don't make ourselves know, be who we are then they will never learn from us and accept that we simply are. I too live openly and always have, sometimes to my own pain but that I learn from every time, sometimes to my joy.
Blessings of the Day~!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dark Angel on October 17, 2008 at 2:13pm: Brandon I totally agree with you. Fuck the people that have a problem with our religion. As far as I'm concerend people that don't like can kiss my ass. I will not hide and you also know Faust will never back down and cower to other people. I'm glad you wrote this discussion.

Blessings,
Dark Angel; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adaria on October 17, 2008 at 2:13pm: I have to add a little something to what I already said above. I realize that some of my 'reasons' my seem much like excuses, and maybe that is the case. I've been known forever to be independently minded, opinionated and bullheaded as hell, however, I also try and avoid confrontation. I just don't handle it well and until I can I'm going to have to just deal with the dustbunnies and cobwebs here in this broom closet o' mine.

I really hate making excuses for why I don't just burst out and be who I am to the entire world, screw 'em all and all of that. But I really do fear for my mom right now, this year has been hell enough for her, she's having a hard time dealing with things as it is, the last thing she needs is to have a rumor mill started about me, which could lead to problems for her with the townsfolk, as it is the church minister already knows mom doesn't like the lady, nor do I for that matter, it would make people wonder why if news of me got out there, heh, I couldn't do that to her.

OK, I know I'm babbling again! Sorry! I just feel strongly about this particular topic. I should've flown out of the broom closet when I had the chance before all of this...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sea-ana on October 17, 2008 at 5:08pm: You go Brandon!!!! I've often wondered why some people hide. It irritates me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rain on October 17, 2008 at 5:21pm: I've read the replies thus far,

It's in the interest of Justice and the social wrong doings brought to us, some of you may mistake me for becoming the bull. No, that is not my intentions. We're here, we don't need to make our business everyones, but to be known and equal in the eyes of the Law is where the arrow needs to head.

Only a fool charges blindly, I'm not seeking martyrdom, just equality in Law and Order.

To help you understand.

--> When the Flag is held high, I will proudly stand infront of it. Should some wish to bring the flag down, I will stand rigorously between them and their objective, it's not their flag to burn.

It's the stand that counts, knowing that this is who you are, this is what you stand for, and you will not be ashamed or ill treated because of it.

I'm not looking to start a war, but if other Faiths wish to harm thus, they will be met with the Unmovable Object.

--- I want clarity for those of you think I may be calling you a coward, No. I am stating that it's not right that you stay in your closet with a buncha dust and webs to soothe you. The Air is yours to breathe as well.

I'm not going to get in peoples faces - but it's too damn bad should they be offemded.

Thought this would be more clarity incase there's confusion.

with love
brandon; ▶ Reply to This