Valley Wands

I doubt many will be unaware of the recent problems with rioters here in the UK recently, it seemed to dominate the news in most countries for a few days.  What I found strange living here in the UK, was the change of attitude in a large section of the Pagan community that I keep in touch with on various forums.

Not long ago, during the G20 riots, and also during the Student Fee’s demonstration which inevitably led to rioting the police were continually accused of being ‘heavy handed’.  The stance on the Police using such methods of crowd control as ‘kettling’ were slated continually, it was inhumane apparently and a breach of people’s human rights to not be allowed to go where they wished.

There were many enquiries after these riots, and in general the Police appeared to decide that as the courts were not backing them sufficiently enough that they would bow to pressure and only intervene when a person’s life was at risk, and not property.

After the appalling scenes recently of people’s homes and business being burnt down, looting (people seem to be unable to use the term burglary,which is actually what looting is) there were mass moans about the Police not doing enough to stop the events as they unfolded.  Strangely within the Pagan community, I noticed that the people crying that the Police were at fault for doing too little, were the same ones who had been crying that they had been too heavy handed during the previous disturbances.

Some in particular, who always seem to take an anti-establishment stand, claimed it was all caused by the Police and the establishment themselves, and that the rioters were simply exercising their rights to claim what they wanted, as it was unfair that some had more than others.

I’ve also heard the same people cry, that you can’t live a mainstream life, have a home, a family, a job, a car etc and be a Pagan.  To be a Pagan they claim, you have to be unemployed, live off the state, be anti-establishment and create as much havoc as you can to those who have more than you.

Firstly I would like to question what these people think the term ‘Paganism’ actually means.   I’ve always understood it as an umbrella term for a whole host of beliefs and paths,rather than it being an entity in its own right. Secondly, if people have a spiritual path, why should that affect the way they live?  I have the utmost sympathy for those out of work, who really want to work.   I am only too aware, having been in that position myself, that it can bring with it the most stressful and painful time, which affects the whole family.  But whether you work or not, doesn’t alter your spiritual beliefs.

Why some people seem to think the only way is to be completely anti-establishment if you are a Pagan, is totally beyond my comprehension.  There are good and bad in all walks of life,and in all professions, but on the whole, the Police do a difficult and dangerous job, for very little thanks and certainly not a huge salary.   I wonder if these same people would be screaming for Police if their houses were being burnt down by youth’s hell bent on destruction, for no apparent purpose than they thought they could get away with it.

I appreciate that many come to Paganism looking for something different, and Pagan’s themselves tend to be more accepting and tolerant than mainstream society.  Should we allow the hooligan element to claim the word Paganism, and to attempt to give the wider population the view that we are all aged hippies living in some sort of commune, with no respect for our country, the law or for other people and their lives?  What happened to tolerance of others? Or does that mean tolerance for only those with less than you have?  If people aren’t happy with their lives, then I’m afraid there is only one person who can change that!  Just because someone has a job, a career, a nice house and has enough spare cash to have a social life, does that make them a target?

I think just occasionally we should all stop and evaluate our own beliefs, what do they mean to us? Do they hopefully give us some strength and guidance to live the best we can in today’s society, to be happy and caring citizens? Or does it just give us an excuse to persecute others whose only crime is that they have worked hard? 

I wonder if maybe there is a message here.  Maybe we should be a little less tolerant of those who claim the word Paganism, in order to promote trouble?

Blessed Be

Sian x