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I mentioned this on Facebook, and would love your opinion.
So I am becoming aware of a growing divide in the Pagan community, and it is generational. The Baby Boomers are seeking legacy, especially political, and a orthodoxy to their faith. The deeply believe that their ideas of tradition must be preserved. Generation X is also heading towards creating a greater orthodoxy and many are questioning who is and isn't a Pagan, as a mainstay. The Millennial Generation cares less about politics, rejects the orthodoxy, and are seeking lifestyle changes that will improve their lives. A clash will occur, but I think at the end of this, the community will drift towards the youth, no matter what anyone thinks.
Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on An interesting question~ I have been on a number of different Pagan sites, and i see some of what you're describing. I think, though, it isn't really that clear cut, generation-ally. I for instance, am 59 - definitely in the 'Boomer' category. I don't consider myself particularly political, the only legacy I'm interested in is my personal one to my family, and the idea of an 'Orthodoxy' in Wicca totally APPALLS me! The only 'traditions' I seek to preserve are those I and my family have developed through the years, and even those are subject to change with time.
I suspect some of the perceptions you are describing are colored by the fact that we only hear from the most vocal - therefore the most 'radical' of the people of each generation. Most of the avowed Pagans I know, of all generations, are more focused on themselves and their own spiritual Path than on 'tradition' or 'orthodoxy', and are willing to live and let live as long as they are not being TOLD what is 'right' or 'wrong' to do. They are, by and large, not interested in the Forums and active discussions of their Faithways as opposed to others. Thus, no one hears of or from them~
I find it interesting, and representative of this, that i see a handful of 'regulars' on this forum, without a wide variation in the people from one discussion to the next... I would be interested to know the percentage of active students here at WSI that actually take the time to participate in the Forum discussions~
Permalink Reply by Rachael Sue Rubin on I am from Generation x,
(When compared with previous generations, Generation X represents a more heterogeneous generation, exhibiting great variety of diversity in such aspects as race, class, religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.[24]
Often the children of divorced parents as the period covers the beginning of the divorce rate growth.[29] Change is more the rule for the people of Generation X than the exception.[citation needed] Unlike their parents who challenged leaders with an intent to replace them, Generation X tend to ignore leaders)
I have to agree that the younger generation will win, They seem to have a knowing in them, I listen and talk with my childrens friends, They are open, honest, do not care about politics, it is like what we have all dreamed of, the age of Aquarius is here.
The hate talk is gone from our children, the bigotry, they have their own views on everything and i find it refreshing.
Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on I agree Rachael! The kids are the future, and I think we've raised them 'right' - LOL!! I too have observed that there is very little 'hate talk' or class/racial bigotry. even in my teenage grandkids. Their 'bigotry' is reserved for those they personally know and don't get along with! LOL!!
Permalink Reply by Sparrow on I joke around with the Older guys I work with and I say "The young folks are a better class of people than the Older ones"
This infuriates them as some of them come from the "We are right about everything do not internally search" 1950's generation.
This is beyond Paganism it is about how some generations will do an internal search and some will not.
Some older people think that the truth was already there and that young people screw it up.
I for one find it intellectually irresponsible to blame the Young for they do not run things!!
So yes the Youth are Better and they are the Future. However this does not mean that the Older ones Have nothing to offer we should look to both Young and Old Wisdom.
Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on IMO, your last sentence is an especially true insight, Sparrow!!
Permalink Reply by Sparrow on Aha! ! And remember that as Pagans we believe that the young are the old.
What I am referring to is the idea of Past Lives and reincarnation, I for one truly believe in reincarnation.
Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on LOL!! *applause* No 'Pope' for Wicca! Back in the day, Alex Sanders tried to claim the title 'King of the Witches' and only was acknowledged as such by his personal followers. Everyone else found it either presumptuous or hilarious - LOL! Wiccans are, by and large, a collection of rampant individualists, and highly resistant to ANYONE telling us what to do and/or how to think! That's why I doubt there will ever be a book of dogma that attempts to become applied to everyone. Look at all of the books there are already, and only the followers of that Path - those to whom the book resonates - are willing to even call it the basis of their personal practice... I'm glad one of the firm bases of Wicca is the personal practice and personal gnosis. Those always lead to a built-in resistance to 'authority' and 'hierarchy' being imposed from without!
Permalink Reply by Sparrow on Black Moon the C word is not always Bad,that being Church.
It is not the structure that is bad it is what goes on in it that makes it good or bad.
Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on Yes, I agree. But, on the other hand, if people want to form larger groups than a standard coven, there has to be some kind of organizations and hierarchy so the newcomers and beginners know who to go to with questions. After all - it IS our personal choice to participate in such more 'organized' groups, like Correllian Wicca. I'm here because I agree with their theology, and i want a legally recognized Ordination that means more than just the piece of paper one gets from an online diploma mill.
Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on You too~~
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