Pagan Book Section

[eiblyn]

So we have a fairly limited selection of pagan books here. They get new ones occasionally, but it's usually just the same old basic level drivel that I've glanced through and thrown down in disgust or things that I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. Anything that has goth in the title or has the title written in a font not easily read is right out of consideration. Today we had roughly 8 hours to kill so I went and sat down with one of the books that I had no interest in reading, but that they seem to keep ordering copies of, so someone must be buying them. I was reading through and finally managed to put my finger on what it was that made me so uneasy about the book. This book is on druids and the modern druid religion. So why should the first section of this book be on magic and the powers that druids have? It makes absolutely no sense to give someone the axe before they've learned to swing it and it is dangerous!! It scared me actually, because the ethics and spiritual aspects of druidism/druidry were the last section of the book. It seems that more and more books are following this trend. It saddens me. Plus it really makes the whole of paganism look trite. I hate to say this, but when the biggest focus of our beginner books seem to be on "powers" and "magic(k)," then we are missing out on a lot. And we create an environment where people aren't given the tools they need to make positive decisions for the well-being of themselves and others. That's how people get themselves into messes they don't know how to get out of. It is hard to come to any path solely through books and stumbling in the dark; this is even more difficult when those sources you can get your hands on are full of crap and when your religious texts have less guidance for your conscience than Spiderman does there's something amiss.

Incidentally, anyone have some decent suggestions of higher level books to read? I wish I could trim down what I'm looking for, but I'm not sure what it is myself. Maybe if you all make suggestions, I can look and find something that pulls.

Comments

[eiblyn.livejournal.com]

We do not as yet have a distinctive faith group leader (DFGL). We are therefore barred from reserving space on post to use for religious functions. We tend to get around it by hosting feasts in our home that don't include rituals or barbeques. We also network with the other pagans on post and let them know they aren't alone. elvnsword was in the process of becoming recognized for this role, but he got deployed before he could get the paperwork through. Unfortunately, the paperwork does not transfer from post to post, so he would have to start the paperwork all over again downrange and it would only apply while he was deployed. And it would still leave all of us back here without a leader. I have thought about applying but the chaplaincy has been clear that they prefer a soldier because they are required to pay civilians and that is sometimes the deciding factor on approving someone. Other people have applied and been turned down, but they seem to think elvnsword is a good candidate. I think it's partly because he has made a clear distinction between his/our beliefs and Satanism and some of the others have not made such clear distinctions or have been some sort of pagan Satanist. There are also issues with the qualifications to become a DFGL. It requires that you be recognized by a group that has been approved by the army as legitimate. This is a roadblock for many pagans applying, but elvnsword did find a work around for that one.

Overall, we have the most success by being good citizens and neighbors and only raising a ruckus when it is absolutely necessary. It helps that elvnsword is a very hard worker and a good soldier. And I'm the treasurer for the family support group. So we look completely "normal", aside from our jewelry and our glares during group prayer.