tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267100689194015085.post536905849028718637..comments2023-05-14T23:46:40.053-07:00Comments on Pagans for Archaeology: Pagan census initiativeYewtreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02028699564003381058noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267100689194015085.post-91847854050974858222010-06-01T04:33:15.223-07:002010-06-01T04:33:15.223-07:00What's this got to do with archaeology, anyway...<em>What's this got to do with archaeology, anyway?</em><br /><br />Nothing, but I do post things of general interest to Pagans on here sometimes.Yewtreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02028699564003381058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267100689194015085.post-63620113694979641882010-03-12T21:53:09.013-08:002010-03-12T21:53:09.013-08:00I fail to see the need for Pagan Dash. It’s number...<a href="http://rainattimes.blogspot.com/2008/09/pebbledash.html" rel="nofollow"><i>I fail to see the need for Pagan Dash.</i></a> It’s number envy and an attempt to grab funding.<br /><br /><br /><i>“The government can see that we vote and there are enough of us to make a difference”</i><br /><br />People vote with their pockets not with their pentacle.<br /><br /><br /><i>“Pagan organizations can show they are representative”</i><br /><br />Pagan organisations aren’t representative now. Official statistics won't change that. They’ll just get a sophist argument whereby they can <i>claim</i> to represent particular numbers of people whereas the question of their mandate to represent pagans won’t go away. Pagan organisations don’t have a mandate to represent pagans. They aren’t political parties or trade unions. Pagan organisations are in it for themselves, their glory and their gain. Special interest groups like Pagans For Archaeology are a different kettle of fish altogether, with articulated, measurable goals which don’t rely on nebulous concepts like “respect” and “recognition” and certainly aren’t asking for taxpayer funds.<br /><br /><br /><i>“We can achieve more representation within the local and wider community”</i><br /><br />More recognition headed by the likes of these are the last thing pagans need if they wish to be regarded as a credible voice in the marketplace of ideas.<br /><br /><br /><i>“This means it will be easier for us to be heard, our religious / spiritual sensitivities taken into account - and especially at those times when it is really important - in hospitals and hospices, for our children in schools, in the military and police and other places of work, in courts and prisons, when dealing with social workers and health visitors, at times when we face prejudice and discrimination.”</i><br /><br />Shoal of red herring.<br /><br />In hospitals and hospices dangling dreamcatchers and visits by someone whose beliefs are as different from our own as Christian and Muslims won’t make any difference to our care. Doctors, nurses, family and friends are what’s important at these times.<br /><br />Our children may attend school already. We pay taxes for this. What do Pagan Dash want here? Children’s names to be read out at register suffixed with their religion? “Danny Smith. Wiccan”. Don’t most people send their children to school that they may learn, rather than have their believes reinforced? Schools are there to educate If Pagan Dash want to set up pagan schools then they may do so already. Government allows this. All that the pagan media barons need do is stump up some money before the general taxpayer does.<br /><br /><br /><i>“in the military and police and other places of work, in courts and prisons, when dealing with social workers and health visitors, at times when we face prejudice and discrimination.”</i><br /><br />If people feel wronged at any of these places then it’s because they’re asking for unfair exceptions to be made for them. If you want a day off work at your religious festival then take a day’s leave - it’s what everyone else does. There’s no “discrimination” against pagans in any of these places except that pagans ask for it - discrimination and illegitimate prejudice are not the same thing. If your child is at school then they’re there to be educated. If you’re in court or prison then you’re there to fulfil your responsibility to society and not to parade your religious beliefs. If you’re a social worker or a health visitor then your work is important enough already and your religious beliefs make no difference to how well you do that job.<br /><br />The views in this post may not be popular with everybody but if pagans have free speech then it’s fair to point out the counterarguments. They sum to this; our ancestors fought hard for our right to democracy so why should we give our taxes to those unelected people who claim to represent and to lead us? Think twice before lending your name and your official approval to somebody else's agenda which don't necessarily coincide with your own despite what they shout from the hustings.<br /><br />What’s this got to do with archaeology, anyway?Fog Patches.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18363510116420435839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267100689194015085.post-39505861841525056492010-03-12T10:52:19.349-08:002010-03-12T10:52:19.349-08:00I like it. Will be encouraging all our people to ...I like it. Will be encouraging all our people to post "Christian - Beaker".Archdruid Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11849759985107161674noreply@blogger.com