Fascinating entry, my thoughts are going off in a dozen different directions.
-it will have implications for the future if it makes it that far. The fascination that people have had and will continue to have with ancient Gods argues in favor of a long-term Pagan influence; the way that the movement in general is conducting itself argues against it. History is littered with the shells of neat ideas that burnt themselves out, and I do question whether any permutation of Paganism will escape this fate. It won't if people continue to treat it as convenience food. There's a wide space between making one's religion one's life and barely letting it *into* your life, and I feel like that space is rather sparsely populated for as large as it is-- and that goes for *most* American religion, not just Paganism.
-what really unnerves me about this Time of Prophets is the role of newcomers. Newbies to Pagan religions have both too much power and too little, IMO. On one hand, everyone seems equally qualified to start a new tradition, or even a new religion, and like you said, that's an actual option for a disaffected newbie. On the other hand, there are a lot of "veterans" of less-than-a-decade's vintage who would argue without a hint of irony that newbies have no right to question, that the leaders are all-wise and their words should be accepted without reservation. Missing is a sense of history and a slow integration of newcomers which emphasize how they fit into timeline while allowing them to figure out how the faith fits into their *own* internal map. I agree, I also am "conservative of ba," I feel a bit (and often a lot) adrift by this lack of timeline, by the speed at which one goes from rank novice to "elder" or leader. I hope this makes sense because I'm not sure how much better I can explain it, but: teachers are many, mentors are few.
no subject
-it will have implications for the future if it makes it that far. The fascination that people have had and will continue to have with ancient Gods argues in favor of a long-term Pagan influence; the way that the movement in general is conducting itself argues against it. History is littered with the shells of neat ideas that burnt themselves out, and I do question whether any permutation of Paganism will escape this fate. It won't if people continue to treat it as convenience food. There's a wide space between making one's religion one's life and barely letting it *into* your life, and I feel like that space is rather sparsely populated for as large as it is-- and that goes for *most* American religion, not just Paganism.
-what really unnerves me about this Time of Prophets is the role of newcomers. Newbies to Pagan religions have both too much power and too little, IMO. On one hand, everyone seems equally qualified to start a new tradition, or even a new religion, and like you said, that's an actual option for a disaffected newbie. On the other hand, there are a lot of "veterans" of less-than-a-decade's vintage who would argue without a hint of irony that newbies have no right to question, that the leaders are all-wise and their words should be accepted without reservation. Missing is a sense of history and a slow integration of newcomers which emphasize how they fit into timeline while allowing them to figure out how the faith fits into their *own* internal map. I agree, I also am "conservative of ba," I feel a bit (and often a lot) adrift by this lack of timeline, by the speed at which one goes from rank novice to "elder" or leader. I hope this makes sense because I'm not sure how much better I can explain it, but: teachers are many, mentors are few.
Anyway, much to think on. Thank you. *bow*