Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Pagan In Paradise

Home
Pagan
Counsel From A Pariah

Counsel From A Pariah

Last updated on: August 30, 2016 at 11:31 am by Peter Dybing

Counsel From A Pariah 2016-08-30T11:31:13-06:00 Peter Dybing

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Image Rgbstock.com

BOOM! and a familiar pattern emerges in our collective community; months ago in a piece titled “Confronting The New Right” Rhyd Wildermuth warned of the creeping influence of Fascism in Polytheist communities. Of course he was attacked, demonized, and painted as a Pariah in many polytheist circles. Frankly he did a great Job.

It is an unfortunate reality that those confronting injustice in our communities are subject to the ridicule by those seeking to lay the cornerstones of theological groups. Time and again in our broader society we have seen this pattern.

We know that figures like Martin Luther King Jr. were metaphorically crucified by the establishment for daring to upset the apple cart. Years later, his strength of character is celebrated by the very establishment that sought to discredit him.

New ideas and challenges to authority have always gotten this response. It is almost as if the pattern of confrontation with radical truth inevitably leads to massive demonization, a period of silence and then gradual acceptance of the inherent truth. Unfortunately, it is the truth teller who is sacrificed at the alter of progress.

As another example of this process, consider the Occupy movement, demonized by the public as violent and extremist, their principles were loudly proclaimed by the recent campaign of the Senator from Vermont. What is radical becomes common belief with time; the Pariahs’ are vindicated.

Within our own Pagan communities this same dynamic has a long and disturbing history. When this writer confronted racism within the Covenant of the Goddess, a couple of years ago, the attacks were vicious, a new organizational Pariah was crowned. Less than a year later the organization elected its first Person of Color as its national leader. The organization was forever changed for the better. Progress is painful, yet it is the Pariah’s that lead our community to growth, insight and a broader sense of social justice in our theological maturity.

Image Rgbstock.com

Of course, this process will continue, those attempting to lay cornerstones of infrastructure will resist because they don’t understand that the establishment of institutions inevitably leads to a creeping ethic of institutional self interest taking precedence over individual needs for ethical engagement in the world.

My heroes are the Pariah’s of our community. When they dare to state that the ‘Emperor has no clothes’ they do so at great personal risk, yet they place fairness, compassion and justice above their own reputations. Of the many brave people who fit into this category I most admire:

Ryhd Wildermuth

Alley Valkyrie

David Salisbury

These are my fellow Pariah’s who have also experienced having their words twisted, their actions questioned and reputations attacked. Yet, at the end of the day, their positions reflect truths that the community has had to grapple with. Just as we are witnessing the truth of the warning from Rhyd manifested, we can look back and realize the contributions of his fellow Pariah’s to our community and our nation at large.

Collectively, maybe we can attempt to manifest a community that is able to reflect on why radical ideas and thoughts trigger resistance and demagoguery. It is time for our community to put a capital P on the word Pariah. With a historical eye, we can see that these so maligned members of our community are often those whose service so enriches our community.

As to our most recent experience of the Pariah being vindicated, it is clearly time that we abandon the idea of the Pagan umbrella; to often it gives care, comfort and platform to individuals who are toxic to our community. Lets tear asunder the Pagan umbrella and recognize that Paganism needs re-wilding; we belong in the glorious rain, soaked in multiple manifestations of divine inspiration, not cowering from the elements, embracing people of toxic influence to gain shelter.

Those who confront Fascism, Transphobia, and Racism are branded Pariahs. They also deserve to embrace the title as a badge of honor; they are truly our most insightful and compassionate servants.

Yours Truly,

A Pagan Pariah

Previous Post

August 20, 2016

An Internal Rebirthing

Next Post

September 7, 2016 Dakota Access, Drawing a Line in the Sand

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 2016 election Activisim America American Pride Antifa Antifa Fire Chief Black Lives Matter Dallas Violence Democratic left Homeless Denver Homophobia July Fourth Orlando Violence Peter Dybing Social Justice TERF Transgender rights Trauma Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2017 February 2017 January 2017 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 May 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Psalm is famous as the "Shepherd's Psalm"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Psalm 119 Psalm 1 Psalm 51 Psalm 23