Chapters One and Two
There was much to gain from the first two chapters of DDTM!
Right off the bat, Paganism was identified as "diverse" and a "decentralized religious movement." It was also noted that Paganism is all too often misunderstood. Maybe misunderstanding occurs so often because Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Druids and others of Paganism are often so individualistic and those of other religions cling to the flock theory.
The book notes that Pagan groups are "eclectic, individualist, fiercely autonomous and often self-created and homemade."
Gurus or masters and temples rarely exist because when groups meet they don't hold utmost importance on the where, when and how often and those who are solitary, as so many of us are, do not place importance on "gathering together" at all.
Many see Paganism and all it encompasses (such as Wicca and The Craft) as cults when, in truth, all religions, including Christianity (which I view as the base of several religions such as Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic and so forth) can be considered cults just as readily.
The difference between their's and our's however, is Paganism is not actually "organized" in the sense you must do this, then this, and then this to achieve certain points in your spiritual quest and the fact that in our's as the book put so well, "money seldom passes from hand to hand and the operations of high finance are nonexistent."
Conversion was spoke of a little in Chapter one and then chapter two was devoted to the subject.
Conversion is another big difference between Paganism and other religions. One does not convert to Paganism. Instead it's just a matter of accepting what we already know is within us and living the way we feel we should live.
When most people decide Paganism is the pathway they should be following its not just a random decision. You don't wake up one morning and say, "I think I'll convert to Paganism."
Pagans usually discover their paths somehow whether it is from a book they read, a discussion they are either involved in or overhear, a television show or whatever and they start to look for more information on the subject. Many times people are even relived to discover there is a name to associate with their own beliefs and even overjoyed to discover they're not alone.
"A common phrase you hear is "I've come home," or as one woman told me excitedly after a lecture, "I always knew I had a religion, I just never knew it had a name,"" Adler writes in DDTM.
One thing Adler writes about in chapter one is about the way Pagans are presented to the world and how prejudice is formed from that presentation.
She really hit the nail on the head when she wrote, "If Neo-Paganism were presented as an intellectual and artistic movement whose adherents have new perceptions of the nature of reality, the place of sexuality, and the meaning of community, academics would flock to study it. Political philosophers would write articles on the Neo-Pagans' sense of wonder and the minority vision they represent. Literary critics would compare the poetic images in the small magazines published and distributed by groups with images in the writings of Blake and Whitman. Jungian psychologists would rush to study the Neo-Pagans' use of ancient archetypes and their love of the classics and ancient lore."
That entire passage is truth. Adler described how Pagans are and what we accomplish everyday. But because of stereotypes we're not seen for any of that and the world loses out on all of that brilliance.
Pagans don't see pleasure as sinful. Pagans don't see the world as a burden and clamor for the afterlife and spend huge amounts of time preparing for it. Pagans are able to detach themselves from the trends of the day while maintaining "a sense of humor, a gentle anarchism and a remarkable tolerance of diversity."
Aren't we blessed by the Goddesses and Gods to be able to do all of that?! Isn't it sad that more of the human race won't allow themselves to enjoy these things so much more because they live in fear of the wrath of one omnipotent God or a dozen other reasons?
I think its important to us as humans to know we're not going to be struck down for taking advantage of the joys of life. Its also important to me knowing I'm not going to be "punished" for lack of strict dogmatism. I like being free to think for myself.
I think many people are not comfortable finding their own way or following their own path. They'd rather not have to think for themselves and instead have someone else do it for them; have someone else lead them into how they are supposed to think, feel and believe.
I wonder if that is why Christians so readily refer to themselves as flocks of sheep and to the Christian God as their shepherd.
Instead of having the self-perseverance to lead themselves, they would rather blindly follow the flock without question or their own thought.
I thought the last part of chapter two was interesting. "Reasons for Neo-Pagan resurgence."
In Adler's research, six primary reasons were found as to why Paganism was on the rise and why those spoken with were involved with Paganism.
1. Beauty, Vision, Imagination -- Religion was considered a human need for beauty.
2. Intellectual Satisfaction -- Almost all those spoken with were found to be avid readers.
3. Growth -- Pagans asked seen their lives as a process rather then a straight road to specific goals
4. Feminism -- For many women Pagans, this was the main reason.
5. Environmental Response -- "A response to a planet in crisis."
6. Freedom -- Pagans can be themselves & feel the way they want without notions of guilt or sin.
In concluding chapter two, Adler explained why Pagan groups exist.
"The groups can exist this way because the Neo-Pagan religious framework is based on a polytheistic outlook - a view that allows differing perspectives and ideas to coexist."
Wouldn't it be nice if differing perspectives and ideas were acceptable everywhere and in all aspects of life from work to whatever?
