just how damaging is misinformation in neo-pagan culture and why is it so pervasive?
This is a genuine question i want to get my head around and a discussion point i think (that should be, i hope) is close to the hearts of a few members here, i can think of a few of the top of my head.
Why is the neo pagan community, such as that can be applied, so rife with poorly formed views of history, culture etc, all usually touted as fact or opinion and therefore untouchable. I know there are a few champions for truth out there but it can feel very sparse at times. Of course i'm not talking of personal beliefs here, those are your own, i'm talking about the pseudo history, culture and science that is all pervading and in my opinion very damaging to a spiritual and religious 'community' who bases so much of it's beliefs and practices on history and world/folk cultures. I am shocked to see in 2012 some of the oldest most easily disproved myths and incorrect facts still being clung to with a level of denial that borders, no wait, that is ludicrous.
Also why is it so hard for people to say "i don't know" or "i was wrong" is not knowing or making a mistake something so horrifically humiliating that people would rather stick to their guns when all is against them and it's clear they are wrong? Lets face it we have all been mistaken or lacked knowledge at some time somewhere, myself quite often, in fact it's the very thing that motivates my self education, i enjoy the feeling of "i don't know" and the satisfying feeling of finding out. Why then do we see people who spiritually may describe themselves or be described as seekers, but who find the simple task of 'googling' too much of a chore to further themselves.
What damage do you think it does?
how do you think it can be remedied?
Am i just being a dammed grump? :P
Can't wait to hear peoples thoughts, and i'm hoping it can remain civil, well fingers crossed eh!
Replies to This Discussion
-
SponsorPermalink Reply by Kara on -
Oh and doesn't it just drive you up the wall when a direct question is asked and ignored in a thread, i have a suspicion that the person is hiding hoping the nasty person or people who make them think will just go away if they wait long enough!
-
Permalink Reply by Kixs on -
First why don't you give me an example of what you think is misinformation and we will see where it lead, what ya say?
-
SponsorPermalink Reply by Kara on -
Well the most recent example that frustrated me was the burning times thread, but i think that's been done to death so lets go with....Samhain being the Celtic new year regularly being stated more or less as accepted fact. Can you think of something yourself?
-
SponsorPermalink Reply by Kara on -
oooh or the origins of worshiping 'the horned god' who is sooo not the ancient God of the British isles, and yes i have heard that from my fair share of folks. There's a great section on that in Ronald Hutton's Triumph of the moon if i remember right.
-
SponsorPermalink Reply by Kara on -
but you are right on all counts, i'm sure there are many more to bring to the table. But why do you think these mistakes and myths have such staying power?
-
SponsorPermalink Reply by Kara on -
i just realised it looks like i'm saying i'm a she-dude, it should have been
'he be a she, dude.'
punctuation makes a big difference lol.
-
Permalink Reply by Maris Hellfaerie (Maire) on -
Matriarchal/Goddess cultures
if you want to ruin efforts of females to be equal contributors to a modern, scientifically industrious society that cultures intellectualism and humanism alike,
just insist on prehistoric matriarchy as something that not only existed as a dominant structure, but also was way better than any civilization process that followed.
It is not only highly ignorant towards the academic disciplines, it is plain stupid from a (socio-)political POV.
-
Permalink Reply by Maris Hellfaerie (Maire) on
-
From the top off my head just now:
Burning Times*
All conversion to Christianity was forced
Pre Christian Pagans were loving and peaceful (just recently there was a critical thread on Romans)
Romans were ebil assholes (very scientific!)
Only humans like to torture/kill
Quetzalcoatl is Jesus is the Great Kundalini
Lilith is a protector goddess of little children
Stone Age figurines are images of the great mother goddess
First Nation tribes are good, white man is dumb and evil, except for the Celts of course.
*and they killed "our" ancestors, all witches
Find Us:
Iphone Coming Soon!
Birthdays
Birthdays Today
![](http://api.ning.com/files/M9YrlTXCVk*xHLrIdtAuyYfaxHvi6GJQfkCvzhQJ2ggxDEWNQCeGZUSrJ-gHMVkTl1W2mtv8rQUfjzkvkCawbrpAsLUwTAR0/psadsaleendoftheyear.jpg")
© 2013 PaganSpace.net
Powered by
Badges | Privacy Policy | Report an Issue | Terms of Service
