The Gifts of Controversy

Last updated on: February 22, 2012 at 5:51 pm by Star Foster

The Gifts of Controversy 2012-02-22T17:51:17-04:00 Star Foster

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.

Tempers are flaring and emotions are running high across the Pagan interwebs today. If you don’t why, you’ve likely either been under a rock, or, unlike me, have a life that doesn’t require a WiFi connection.

One of the gifts of such a wildfire raging through our community is the insight it gives us into each other. Healthy, happy people can get along fine sipping sweet tea on a sunny day, but when you’re angry, hurt and confused then your humanity can’t help showing through.

I’ve been watching that unfold over the past few days. I’ve seen thoughtful people being thoughtful. Passionate people making their case with gusto. I’ve seen people I thought were rational behaving irrationally. I’ve seen wise people be confronted with previously unforseen consequences. I’ve seen people so caught up in their own view that they couldn’t see other perspectives.

I know other people have observed me as well. I’ve been angry, hurt, frustrated, tired, irritated and more over this whole revitalized controversy. What they’ve seen in my responses and reactions I can only guess.

With a few exceptions, this revealing process has only made me love people more, even when I disagree with them. I’m not in favor of David Salisbury’s boycott on PantheaCon, but I do admire the grace with which he has clung to his convictions. I’m always in awe of Cara Schulz’s ability to reflect calmly and thoughtfully when everyone else is shouting. I am comforted by how Peter Dybing is always calling for compassion and understanding, even when I am in no mood for either. I am inspired by and heartbroken for some of the folks at the core of this debate, and how they are subject to scrutiny, criticism and anger that they don’t necessarily deserve.

Debates like this make me question whether the internet is really useful and helpful for the Pagan community. True, it facilitates faster and easier communication of true, important and inspiring things, but so often it only serves to spread misconceptions, rumors, and escalate anger, grief and bitterness.

I don’t know how useful this blogosphere is, or how useful this raging internet debate is, but I do know that seeing people in our community under the strain of this debate have made me come to appreciate them more. Even when I disagree with them, even when they disappoint me, I am still inspired by my fellow Pagans.

Previous Post

February 21, 2012

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock... Pentagram!

Next Post

February 23, 2012 In The Midnight Hour

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category alexandrian asatru astrology ATW Audio books btw ceremonial magick chaos classics community conversion cosmology dianic discordian druid dvd eclectic equinox ethics family feri festivals film Fully Inclusive Events gardnerian gender issues glbt heathen hellenismos history humor initiation interfaith magick meditation Military movies music mysticism myth networking news Open Thread Pagan Pagan 101 Paganism passings polytheism Polytheistic Religion polytheology praxis Reading List religio romana review ritual sabbats santeria service solstice symbols tools values wicca witchcraft

Select a Month July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 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 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was known as the doubter among Jesus' disciples?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John James Peter Thomas