Comments on: Dilemma Resolved http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/dilemma-resolved/ A new seeker finds her way on the Pagan path Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:55:41 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Sabrina http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/dilemma-resolved/#comment-80 Sabrina Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:04:38 +0000 http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/?p=65#comment-80 Green Witch--Yes, I was/am quite agitated at times thinking through the ethics involved. In addition to wondering if I can be true to myself and my newfound Pagan spirituality, I often find myself considering it from my employer's perspective; i.e., can a former “member of the faithful” model Catholic living if she has fallen into a state of apostasy? I actually think I can do this, but I'm quite sure my employer would view it differently. Then there's the question of why, apart from continued financial security in the form of a paycheck each month, I might want to be bound by a contract that calls on me to model Catholic living to my students if Catholic living doesn't work for me. I guess the short answer to that would be that providing an atmosphere in which young people (well, really, anyone) can develop spiritual lives, or at least do some self-examination to see if they want to have spiritual lives is a good thing, in my opinion. I shall be careful—I take the approach espoused by most Pagans that no one should be convinced/coerced into adopting a given faith, so if there’s one thing I DON’T want to do, it is to engage in anything even remotely resembling proselytizing or even evangelizing of any type. And yet, the children I teach have been enrolled in the school by parents who, by and large, profess to wanting their children to be formed spiritually at least in part through the religious activities that take place during the school day. In many ways, I think that a “good Catholic” and a “good Pagan” have far more in common spiritually than we usually acknowledge (see Anne Johnson’s comment above for one example), and in the best of all possible worlds for me right now, I will be able to model my own spirituality authentically enough to satisfy myself and at the same time present it generically enough so that I don’t create consternation for my employer and co-workers. Anne—Funny you should mention the Blessed Mother. As a Catholic I was never really “into” Marian devotions. Now that I am developing a Pagan spiritual life, I am quite a bit more interested in her and how the story of Mary the mother of Jesus has such striking similarities to the Goddess in her Mother aspect. Green Witch–Yes, I was/am quite agitated at times thinking through the ethics involved. In addition to wondering if I can be true to myself and my newfound Pagan spirituality, I often find myself considering it from my employer’s perspective; i.e., can a former “member of the faithful” model Catholic living if she has fallen into a state of apostasy? I actually think I can do this, but I’m quite sure my employer would view it differently. Then there’s the question of why, apart from continued financial security in the form of a paycheck each month, I might want to be bound by a contract that calls on me to model Catholic living to my students if Catholic living doesn’t work for me. I guess the short answer to that would be that providing an atmosphere in which young people (well, really, anyone) can develop spiritual lives, or at least do some self-examination to see if they want to have spiritual lives is a good thing, in my opinion. I shall be careful—I take the approach espoused by most Pagans that no one should be convinced/coerced into adopting a given faith, so if there’s one thing I DON’T want to do, it is to engage in anything even remotely resembling proselytizing or even evangelizing of any type. And yet, the children I teach have been enrolled in the school by parents who, by and large, profess to wanting their children to be formed spiritually at least in part through the religious activities that take place during the school day. In many ways, I think that a “good Catholic” and a “good Pagan” have far more in common spiritually than we usually acknowledge (see Anne Johnson’s comment above for one example), and in the best of all possible worlds for me right now, I will be able to model my own spirituality authentically enough to satisfy myself and at the same time present it generically enough so that I don’t create consternation for my employer and co-workers.

Anne—Funny you should mention the Blessed Mother. As a Catholic I was never really “into” Marian devotions. Now that I am developing a Pagan spiritual life, I am quite a bit more interested in her and how the story of Mary the mother of Jesus has such striking similarities to the Goddess in her Mother aspect.

]]> By: anne johnson http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/dilemma-resolved/#comment-79 anne johnson Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:57:47 +0000 http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/?p=65#comment-79 Part of what made me a Pagan was hearing my Catholic in-laws praying to the Blessed Mother all the time. I would guess that the subject you teach might dictate how easy or hard it will be for you to guide your students while staying true to your faith. Part of what made me a Pagan was hearing my Catholic in-laws praying to the Blessed Mother all the time. I would guess that the subject you teach might dictate how easy or hard it will be for you to guide your students while staying true to your faith.

]]> By: The Green Witch http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/dilemma-resolved/#comment-78 The Green Witch Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:56:17 +0000 http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/?p=65#comment-78 I think this is a fascinating discussion about general tolerance levels, and conscientious objection. You are a clear and elegant thinker and this issue obviously exercises your mind somewhat. I like your four justifications for not changing the status quo just yet - sit with it and see how you go. I'll be fascinated to see what transpires! Blessings, TGW x I think this is a fascinating discussion about general tolerance levels, and conscientious objection. You are a clear and elegant thinker and this issue obviously exercises your mind somewhat. I like your four justifications for not changing the status quo just yet – sit with it and see how you go. I’ll be fascinated to see what transpires!

Blessings, TGW x

]]> By: Sabrina http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/dilemma-resolved/#comment-72 Sabrina Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:43:20 +0000 http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/?p=65#comment-72 Hi ren- Thanks for stopping by and for your encouraging comment. Blessings, Sabrina Hi ren-
Thanks for stopping by and for your encouraging comment.
Blessings,
Sabrina

]]> By: ren http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/dilemma-resolved/#comment-71 ren Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:21:45 +0000 http://pagandawn.wordpress.com/?p=65#comment-71 Congrats :) I have been pagan for years.. Good luck on your new path :) Congrats :) I have been pagan for years.. Good luck on your new path :)

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