Ok, we had a young man pop into the chatroom last night and ask us why we chose to label ourselves with a name that was meant to insult us. (Obviously he doesn't know the entire history of the word.) But I am curious. Knowing what the word was used for...not what we choose to make of it now, is anyone insulted by being called Pagan? (aka...medieval redneck)
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All opinions stated in my posts are just that...my opinions...and should not be held in any way as the opinions of the CEPF Board of Directors or of anyone other than myself. - Rev. Heidi Andrews VP CEPF
Pagan, an insult...heck if thats the best insult they can come up with im doing well...personaly i think i should be a heathen, seeing as i live on a heath,,,but hey ho
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Why would one think the name "Pagan" would be insulting in the first place? That kind of throws me really. I think of the term and its usage and I find it, not as a label, but as a badge of sorts. Look at what Pagans have done thus far. We are a large part of the population, we honor many things, we do many things, we are many things all bundled up in to the word Pagan, I wear this name as a badge because I know that being Pagan seperates me from others out there that are saying one thing and doing another. It is amazing what Pagans have done in the past 10 yrs alone! So, in answer to this question; no, I personally do not feel that the term "Pagan: is an insult. I think that it is an honor to be called a Pagan, as I am proud of what I have done, what I have become and what I know I will do in the future as a Pagan.
The meaning of the word has changed so much that quite frankly it doesn't really matter what it used to mean.
I am a country dweller, so really how does it insult me? I don't find it insulting at all, even though it may have been derogatory many years ago it's not particularly offensive. I can think of worse things to be called.
I am not in the slightest bit insulted by being "labeled" as a pagan. I am really quite proud of it.It is something different, something that sets me apart from the rest of the world. I was asked not too long ago by a friend if I was ashamed of it, snd of what people think of it. My reply was, " Why should I be ashamed of being apart of the world's first, ongoing organized religion(s)?". Then I proceeded to explain the meaning of the word. I have been discussing what little I know of paganism with him, and am happy to say that he now sees Paganism as a good thing.
quote: Originally posted by: m3ntal_d3f3kt "Then I proceeded to explain the meaning of the word. I have been discussing what little I know of paganism with him, and am happy to say that he now sees Paganism as a good thing."
Cool....now if only more people would clean the wax out of their ears........hehe.
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All opinions stated in my posts are just that...my opinions...and should not be held in any way as the opinions of the CEPF Board of Directors or of anyone other than myself. - Rev. Heidi Andrews VP CEPF
Namaste everyone and merry meet. So someone has said that the word pagan is an insult? Well to be quiet honest with all of you, I'm proud to call myslef pagan becuse I don't follow main stream religion such as christianity, or Judisim, or so on and so forth. To me it's not insulting at all, it is a compliment and many people that I work with have called me a pagan or a heathan when I tell them that I'm pagan in ths first place. I ti si mazing how many people want to try and show me the errors of my ways and that is does their heart good to know that they have shared their beleifs with me so I cna learn and knwo the true meaning of religion...by the way does anyone else detect the sarcasm that is behind my typing right now? Maybe it;s timse that we all make the effort to be more open about who we are and what we beileive in the first place? I thik this is a big step for all of us. OK enough of my typing and rambling on, it's time for me to catch up on some much needed sleep. Namaste
