<_Cassiopia_> Welcome to the living in an Xian world class!
<_Cassiopia_> To start, a few ground rules...
<_Cassiopia_> Please, do not make comments, ask questions, or anything else, in open channel...
<_Cassiopia_> If you have a question, type @ and I will call on you.
<_Cassiopia_> If you want to greet someone, /msg them
<_Cassiopia_> There will be a question and answer period at the end, too...
<_Cassiopia_> If we split, I will wait a minute or two for everyone to get back
together...
<_Cassiopia_> If it looks to be a LONG split, I'll go on and the splitters can get the
logs...
<_Cassiopia_> Logs will be available in a day or two...
<_Cassiopia_> Either e-mail me at Goddesmoon@aol.com and request one, or wait
until you see me online later this week and ask for one.
<_Cassiopia_> OK... if everyone's here, let's get started...
<_Cassiopia_> The most
important things to keep
in mind are the ABCs of
being of another religion
in this very Xian world...
<_Cassiopia_> Appearance,
<_Cassiopia_> Appearance is
a very important thing to
consider. Many people will
judge, solely on the basis
of your appearance.
<_Cassiopia_> Now, this
doesn't mean that you
should be perpetually in
chinos and polos...
<_Cassiopia_> Being gothed
out, or in drag, for that
mattter, or any of the
other outrageous possibilit
ies that are so popular
with Pagans are fine... but
remember that it WILL be
judged.... so consider that
when you choose your
garb...
<_Cassiopia_> Your clothing
is very important. Clean,
neat clothes make you
acceptable, no matter what
your religion...
<_Cassiopia_> MANY people,
when they see me, don't
automatically think
'WITCH!!!' because I wear
normal, almost preppy
clothes all the time...
<_Cassiopia_> I'm sure that
there are others that are
also 'undercover witches'
because they don't fit the
mold of the hag or Sabrina
look-alike that many
people think of wen they
think of when they think
of withches.
<_Cassiopia_> witches...
<_Cassiopia_> Jewlery is
also very important to
consider. I wear pentacles
daily... necklaces, earrings,
etc.
<_Cassiopia_> If done correc
tly, it's not an issue.
[22:50]
@_Cassiopia_I seem to be
missing questions is this
right
<_Cassiopia_> pathweaver...
first, you just need to type
an @ and wait to be called
on... and no, there haven't
been any questions...
<_Cassiopia_> The jewlery
that you wear, with pagan
symbols on it or not,
should always match what
you're wearing.. so if you
make sure that it is
appropriate to the outfit,
noone's going to screech
about you being a witch.
You may even get a compli
ment or two!
<_Cassiopia_> Your home is
another place where you
can express your pagan
ideas without making it
offensive... and, in case
you've not guessed it
already, the main idea here
is to make your expression
s unobtrusive and tasteful,
and your appearance will
pass without flames (figura
tive or literal) form Xians.
<_Cassiopia_> Many Pagans
have natural decors in
their homes. Lots of plants,
earth tones, and things of
natural beauty like baskets
and woven rugs are promin
ant in many of these
decors...
<_Cassiopia_> This is an
easy way to express your
paganism, and to make
your prominant displays
of stones, candles, and
other tools seem as approp
riate to the decor as the
rug.
<_Cassiopia_> I have seen
witches homes in photos
that are absolutely gorgeou
s.... and look like Martha
Stuart decorated them.
<_Cassiopia_> Your car/truc
k/broomstick can also be a
place to express your
paganism without overwhel
ming anyone...
<_Cassiopia_> A FEW tasteful
bumperstickers are great...
<_Cassiopia_> Pausing for
split...
[23:08] @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, Fianna....
[23:10] I don't understan
d why you think it is important
that our homes be acceptable to
xtians.
<_Cassiopia_> What I mean is... if
your home and appearance are
acceptable... and more like
'socially acceptable'... then there
is less chance of trouble...
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, Bornaphal
<_Cassiopia_> Bornaphal, go ahead
with your question....
<_Cassiopia_> OK, since we're all
lagged, whenever I get the
question, I'll answer it...
<_Cassiopia_> The next thing is
bearing...
[23:16] I have always
shown in my own home that I
believe and pratice, I fear no
others but I have never done it
overwhelmingly, just the finer
items of my faith, those that
intrest others.
<_Cassiopia_> Y'all... sometimes
when these splits get bad, the
room goes on invite only.... /msg
me if you've split and an't get
back in... OK?
<_Cassiopia_> I"m waiting on the
split...
<_Cassiopia_> Manners are a big part of this...
<_Cassiopia_> If you are polite, people react well. I
know, I sound like Mommy, saying "ALwyas mind
your manners in public!" But trust me... a polite
witch is one that isn't going to have problems
without causing them.
<_Cassiopia_> A lot of the reason it's so hard for a
Pagan to live in an Xian society is that we are
ostracised. They will find any fault, and magnify it to
suit their needs.
<_Cassiopia_> I know... this sounds like I'm telling you
to be boring, vanilla, and to not have any fun.
<_Cassiopia_> There is a big difference between playing
it semi-safe and being prim and proper and
"stick-up-the-butt" as a dear friend just said...
<_Cassiopia_> A very importa
nt thing to remember is
that WE are the minority,
here. If you were to walk
into a church and insist on
them changing the service
to suit you, you'd be asked
to leave. The same thing
exists in our society....
<_Cassiopia_> Public relations
are another important
thing to consider.
<_Cassiopia_> Consider
yourself an ambassador of
Paganism whenever you're
in public.
<_Cassiopia_> That may seem
a bit extreme, but consider
this. MOST Xians WANT to
believe the worst. If they see
you smoking in a no-smokin
g area, they'll blame it on
your religion. Everything
you do that they don't like
reflects on your religion,
and little that you do good
will reflect well on your
religion.
<_Cassiopia_> You have to
take that into consideration..
. honestly. There are enough
people looking to tear down
paganism without giving
them ammunition...
<_Cassiopia_> (OK, rant
mode off...) *grin*
<_Cassiopia_> Character is
anpther thing that is
important to think about.
<_Cassiopia_> Character is
important to consider.
<_Cassiopia_> Education is
very important. If you
sound uneducated, you'll be
looked down on... and then
the Xians have reason to be
negative.
<_Cassiopia_> That's importa
nt.
<_Cassiopia_> Education, of
yourself and of others, is
vital to helping to make
Paganism more accepted.
<_Cassiopia_> If you can
intellegently fight back
against their arguments,
then you are going to be
much more likely to win at
least toleration than if you
have nothing to say in your
defense.
<_Cassiopia_> Charity is
another thing that is
important to the Pagan
community as a whole, and
to your living as a member
of the world community.
<_Cassiopia_> For many
Xians, charity is one of the
great ways they make
themselves known.
<_Cassiopia_> That's why
there are so many "Baptist
Medical Canters" and "Luther
in Social Services" out
there... they pride themselves
on being charitable.
<_Cassiopia_> Pagans have
just as much, if not more,
of a charitable spirit.
<_Cassiopia_> The only
problem is, we're not a
visible.
<_Cassiopia_> force in the
charitable community.
<_Cassiopia_> This is a very
important thing...
<_Cassiopia_> (Ok... now I've
run out of material...)
<_Cassiopia_> Anyone got
any questions?
[0:07] <_Reverend_Azrael_Moo
nCat_> @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, Az?
[0:08] <_Reverend_Azrael_Moo
nCat_> By not visible do
you mean non-existent or
underground
[0:08] @
<_Cassiopia_> Mostly undergr
ound. There are a lot of
pagans out there, doing
charitable work. They just
aren't recognized.
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, WoodSprit
e?
<_Cassiopia_> Go ahead,
woodsprite.
<_Cassiopia_> Anyone else?
Woodsprite is VERY lagged....
[0:26] Class is now
canceled due to all of the
unfortunate happenings
tonight
<_Cassiopia_> OK, y'all...
<_Cassiopia_> Sorry about all
the craziness...
<_Cassiopia_> I guess, unless
anyone has questions...
class is kaput.
<_Cassiopia_> Sorry, guys...
<_Cassiopia_> Anyione got a
question?
<_Cassiopia_> I've gotta go...
<_Cassiopia_> Merry Part,
y'all
(
geocities.com/athens/acropolis) (
geocities.com/athens)