Alternatives to Hobby Lobby and their xtian privledge

 Since Hobby Lobby is running ads that we need to be a Christian Nation: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/hobby-lobby-newspaper/ 

lets utilize other crafting sites to buy from.

Blicks, great on paints, and is getting into the crafting and cosplay, utilize their online as online has more then instore. I personally end up spending more then I should there.

https://www.dickblick.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw2rmWBhB4EiwAiJ0mtYyiKEda456kA4Hn--CAeISTsK_XgkJxHq8Q7qNS8vrsuGixaRTMHBoCD_0QAvD_BwE

Connecting Threads

https://www.connectingthreads.com/

Great Fabric at decent prices for quilting.

Fabric.com via Amazon believe it or not.  Mind you its a bit harder to search via amazon.  

Your local mom and pop fabric store.  Your local mom and pop art supply store.  I sometimes go to Michaels but I can get better at Blick and I definately get better at connecting threads then go to Joanns.  Eww

Custom fabric

Spoonflower

Art Gallery Fabrics

MoonBeam Textile company:  Great Nerdy fabric

Your local mom and pop bead store.

beadaholic

firemountain gems

Feel free to add links to this post

Scotus and Abortion

 So looks like Trumps moronic appointees are going to do away with Roe v Wade, granting the Evangelica yeehaws their fondest dream of doing away with safe and legal abortion.  So lets talk about ways you can still get an abortion.

Google what Abortifacient Herbs are.  Look up Susan Weed. Also make sure if you  do it, you use a burner phone in a wifi area that can't be traced to you.  Because places like Tx and their bounty hunters are redamndiculous scary.  Also dont toss out any pads, if you do it, because garbage is subject to search, so use towels or cotton pads that you can burn or wash with bleach.  Get a warrant is a useful phrase when asked questions by probing law enforcement who can't mind their business.

Pennyroyal Mint is easy to grow, is an abortifacient.  Blue and Black Cohosh will cause cramps.  I know when I was way along in my pregnancy and i wanted to start labor, I took these pills.  Yall you can get it through Amazon. Educate yourself and read read and read, but do the reading and educating safely.  

No idea in states that won't allow this, but you can get Abortion pills.  

www.ipas.org/our-work/abortion-self-care/abortion-with-pills/how-to-buy-abortion-pills-that-are-safe-and-effective/

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1146&context=gj_etds

Good luck, 

Know in due time this will be overturned.  

Political Witchcraft

 I was arting today, and brooding about Putins invasion of Russia.  Feeling powerless and Gen X fears of WW3.  Celebrating the fact that protests are happening in Russia, and worried about the people that Putin has targeted.  

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10479699/Ukrainians-rounded-internment-camps-Putins-invasion-plan.html

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliareinstein/russian-protest-ukraine-invasion

So I've actually done my first political spell. 

I've dressed a black and red candle with Loki oil.  I've put the Loki necklace around it.  The candle is under Morrigans Athame, with Morrigans crow looking on.  I've asked them both to help sow discord in Russian troops, especially with technology issues, and protect by hiding the Ukrainians targetted and the Russians protesting.  

Listening to Halestorm and Pretty Reckless and The HU

https://youtu.be/4sXoA7B5yJo

https://youtu.be/SrVMzDw7ncs

https://youtu.be/sv29DzgiXZA

https://youtu.be/9W-nlfhh8Uo

https://youtu.be/A0eT5yFFSt4

https://youtu.be/8hkmuTvkp_s

Grace and Frankie

Binged watched the entire first season.  It helped.  I have to say, as it ended I'm left with this feeling of I'm sick of endings.  I'm exhausted from being a damn Phoenix.

I want my happily ever after damnit.

More free motion quilting designs that aren't feathers.  Feel free to use.  I'm using these are symbols of home.

Free motioning can be used in thread magic.

Free motioning quilting motifs, that you can put in quilts.  Strawberries, for prosperity.  Frying pan for home, pot for home, and coffee, or tea cup for home and hearth.

Values

I value helping others.  It doesn't matter their background or their religion.  Actively helping is a value I think is imp.  Passively hoping/praying is not something I think is just enough.  Sometimes it's all you can do, but if you can do more, I think you should.

What I have run into in the Neo Pagan community is different.  The thought that, this might be their life lesson, so lets not intervene, annoys the hell outta me.  It comes from Wicca and the notion that one must ask permission before doing spellwork of any kind.  The theory being, that if the Gods want them to experience this, they will smite the person doing the spellwork, if the permission is asked, the smiting goes on the requester.

That's fear.  I do not value it.  I daresay, I equate it to a type of cowardice.  While there may be good advice to ask permission before doing spellwork, the passivity should not rule every type of work or help you may do for someone.

Wyrd and Orlog

This is why I'm an eclectic Pagan.  Certain things annoy me, or make me feel argumentative and poke holes and go Yeah butt.  sigh.  I'm also a modern American.  My values are shaped by many ethics and a decent understanding of Psychology.

I like Will Wheatons Don't be a Dick and The Greens think of people complexly and try to be awesome.  I think Germanic values are important, but so are the Christian and some tribal Native American values, and hell Buddhism has some decent points as well.

Wyrd is the fate we wrought by our own actions.  Or the basic understanding of Karma.  Orlog is what is wrought by our ancestors.  http://www.englishfolkchurch.com/Lorehoard/wyrd.htm

Or as it was put at the Heathen discussion:  Wyrd is what we do, it's our actions and deeds.  Orlog is what we were born into.  You can't change being born in middle ages Africa to the year 300 Alaska.  Is it bad that Doctor Who popped into my mind as a loophole argument?

Another example:  Germans were a Tribal folk.  You didn't really leave the area you were born into(well Viking Raiders did and merchants but anyway...).  Think small town mentality.  If you were born into a family that is known for thieves, is the town going to expect you to be any better.

Makes growly face.  The discussion isn't wrong, and while it can be debated, see the englishfolkchurch link, I can't say the understanding is wrong.  I just don't like the concept of Orlog.  I don't like the philosophy. Take that far enough and you get the Indian undesirables.

Yes there is some grounds to your family helps shape your fate.  If you are born into a family that has alcoholism, there is a likely chance you may be an alcoholic as well.  Yes if you are born into a functional two family unit, you have a greater chance of making it, than if you were born into a single family unit.

It annoys me, because it is used to Discern whether someone is fit to join a tribe.  That is their right.  I just have known many broken people, I have been a broken person.  People didn't shy away from me, but lifted me up(many of them Christian) and helped me see why I was doing what I was doing.  They didn't worry whether doing so, would impact their wyrd and whether it would make things go funky.

My mom taught me another concept.  Don't judge a book by it's cover.  I think that's a better concept to live by, instead of someones wyrd or orlog, before accepting someone into my circle of friends.  It has proven to be true.  Those that come from "good" families have just as much dysfunctional crap as those that come from poorer circumstances.

My point is Orlog bugs the shit out of me.  I didn't really figure out why, until watching a documentary on the kids of people in prison who killed.  There are so many reasons why people do something.  There is no reason in today's America and with our modern understanding of psychology to go back to shitty concepts.  People shouldn't have to pay for what their ancestors did, or their parents did.  It's bad simplistic thinking to think that people, who were born to thieves will automatically be thieves.  Not counting the fact that there are probably pretty darn good reasons that family may be thieves.  Poverty makes you do many things.

There is a wisdom about not judging someone until you have walked in their shoes.  I try to do that.  I also try to not be so open minded my brain falls out.  However it hurts no one to try to see their perspective on things.  It hurts no one to try to see how their life and their troubles may have caused their actions.  

Then there is the wonderful, but if you come from struggling circumstances but make something good of yourself, what a story to tell.  Screw that.  Lift someone up.  You see someone struggling, no matter if they are in your tribe or not, don't be a dick and get off your tuckus and lend a damn hand.  I know it may be a very Jewish value, though actually it is a German value(probably inspired by Christianity) to get off your ass and and help you neighbor, but hell it makes life a lot easier to live, and favors are usually returned.  AKA pay it the hell forward.

UPG about owls and Cernunnos and fall foliage

Been watching this you tube art scene.  While it inspires me to try something similar, within my talents using acrylics, this one in particular hit me.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhdqW1UBilY

I see Cernunnos at the bottom of the tree.  The Fall foliage is part of my vision.  The owl in this painting is feminine though.  She is her own person but with him.  I get a fey component, due to visions of David Bowies Labyrinth in my head.

I think I ran into her before, when I was young.  I think she's the next stanza of the poem, Lady of the Night.

What I remember:

Here me now
First Lady of the Light
Drink for me now
The cup of life

Here me now
First lady of the night
Drink for me now

Seems to tie in with this post
http://paininthebum.blogspot.com/2015/04/celts-cauldrons-and-grail-and-old-dream.html

My Sigyn spoonflower design
http://www.spoonflower.com/designs/4526246

When they severed the earth from the sky a review and why I think it's imp to modern Pagans

http://www.amazon.com/When-They-Severed-Earth-Sky/dp/0691127743/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1439231325&sr=1-1&keywords=when+they+severed+earth+from+sky

4 stars,I think it could have been a little less secular in regards to people and religions.  Then again what should I expect from an Archaeology book. I think however it explains so much about myths and the reasons behind them.  It gives a lot information to think about.  What using science in our Pagan religions, heresy, we can't have that.

So what is this book about?  Essentially it's about how myths are encoded, what they were used for and how to decode them.  What happens to information that is lost and why it was lost.  It's fascinating on a cerebral level.

Why is it important to me as a Lokean?  Well......  Loki being restrained is about seismic activity(well Snorri already told us that).  The tale wasn't from Iceland but from the Indo Europeans, who used to live next to the Caucus tribes.  It's really about the dormant volcano Mt Erebus.  So btw is Prometheus(Greeks were Indo Europeans to) and the Nart tales.  Oh and Ragnarock is about the earth wobble and the stars changing and how that will effect navigation.

What does that mean?  Well we aren't our ancestors.  For one thing many of us are literate.  For another thing, despite us being animists and thinking many things have will and other shiny magical creature stuff, we are still products of this century and science is important to us as well.  So we can calm the fuck down about Ragnarock if it's really about the stars changing.  Loki doesn't have to be about the killing of Balder if it's really explaining Seismic activity.  Prometheus doesn't have to keep living tied to that damn mountain and being tortured for the hubris of giving man fire.  We can have a new relationship with our Gods.

I'm going to include the link from Amazon, read others reviews http://www.amazon.com/When-They-Severed-Earth-Sky/product-reviews/0691127743/ref=cm_cr_dp_qt_see_all_top?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=byRankDescending

hmmmmmmmmmmmm

https://oneofamyriadfaces.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/loki-and-women/

It's bland John

One of the reasons I don't make fun of Fundamentalist Christians and how religion effects their life, is because I am similar.  I spent this morning, instead of reading the Bible, or sermon from some other Christian, or reading how Christianity effected someone, I read these two posts:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/allergicpagan/2015/08/06/you-can-be-a-good-athenian-and-a-gadfly/#st_refDomain=www.facebook.com&st_refQuery=/

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2015/08/you-cant-practice-paganism-while-you-look-down-your-nose-at-it.html

John Beckett I agree with.  I think his sermon can be best expressed into one word though.  That word is respect.

I'm not entirely sure why John Halstead you are worried that the scientific method can't be used, or that Polytheists(hard, soft, squishy in the middle, or other various Pagans of squishiness) can't use healthy skepticism.  I've seen plenty of Polytheists argue with you, and they manage to do so intelligently and use logic in the process.  I think you are letting your fears from your days of Mormonism flow into your religious experience and feel if you aren't separate enough, you will fall into the Mormon trap that you feel is bad.

I think that John forgets that our Gods aren't the Mormon or Fundamentalist Christian God.  None of the Gods I have encountered want obedience to the extent that I have seen in the Christian Fundamentalist circles.  I think it might help if you got to know our Gods a bit better before being concerned about that trap.

Ok First off, I as a Devotional Polytheist, am not trying to prove my Gods are real seperate distinct individuals.  I know they are.  I know they are the same way that John I know you are John Halstead, midwestern attorney and sometimes Gadfly of Patheos(btw I'm more annoying then you, sticks out tongue lol).  You and I can't be interchanged.  Thus goes one of the arguments of Hard Polytheists about picking and choosing Gods.

Your other argument, that people won't feel as welcome in the big tent of Pagandom if you don't argue, I find confusing.  Hard Polytheists aren't saying you can't be a Pagan.  They are unequivocally saying you can't be my type of Polytheist if you believe or say x, or y, or z.  If people don't feel comfy after encountering people who argue, it's not my problem.  Paganism is largely a religion full of adults.  It's not my job to hold peoples hands, in case their feelings get hurt.  I would argue it's highly disrespectful to the seeker to expect that.  You are expecting us to treat newbies like children, or experienced people like children.  Not gonna happen.

I think you also forget that not everyone wants, desires, or wishes religion the way you do.  I am a Polytheist because it isn't bland.  I found the CUUPs way to be bland, Wicca(while not blandish, not as real as I liked) and Pantheism is bland.  I want the full flavor and access to the spices to flavor my religion that I get out of Polytheism.  See Mind of a Chef season 3 with Edward Lee on how I like my Polytheist food.

My email to Escambioso Sheriffs department.

Greetings and Salutations.

I am emailing you about a concern I have after coming home from grocery shopping.  I came home to see this news report http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/police-wiccan-ritual-killing-leaves-three-dead-pensacola-n404256 .  As a Pagan since 1993, mother of three, and resident of Florida, I have grave concerns about the conclusions you have jumped to.  Will this impact me on my locally?  Fears of the SRA's scare of the 1980's float through my head. http://www.stopbadtherapy.com/myths/sra.shtml

I am having a hard time believing it was given to the media as a Wiccan ritual killing.  What do you know about Wicca?  How can you jump to that conclusion when a 10 second google search would tell you that Wicca doesn't do this?  Failing that, why didn't you contact any local Pagan leader to talk to about this?  http://triplemoonwiccangrove.webs.com/
https://www.facebook.com/PaganMilitaryAssociation
http://www.witchvox.com/

How is what happened a "ritual" killing?  What did the suspect call down the God and Goddess, cast a circle to keep out bad energy?  What do you know about Wiccan ritual?  I doubt very much.  Here for your educational purposes read and be informed http://wicca.cnbeyer.com/

Ok Ok maybe you mistook Wicca and Witchcraft, it happens.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft (I realize I'm giving you a Wikipedia link but Witchcraft is a broad term, as is Pagan.  It encompasses many geographical locations, cultures, and many beliefs.) Still, I can't think of any valid Witchcraft that would do this.  Sure there are mentally challenged individuals who would claim this, but then Charles Manson claimed he was Jesus, doesn't make him so, anymore than scarring a symbol on his forehead makes him Lucifer either.  There is still a dearth of information regarding Witchcraft even Satanic Witchcraft that should inform you that no, human sacrifice doesn't happen.  That is once you take away the sensationalist Christian sources, that think anything related to Harry Potter, Pokemon is some sort of demonic distraction sources.  BTW, Landover Baptist is a site that lampoons Christians, so they shouldn't be taken seriously either.

I am highly disappointed. I realize that Sheriffs department aren't as thorough as the police in Law in Order, CSI Miami(or any CSI episode) Detective Chief Inspector Tom Geofrrey Barnaby in Midsommer Murders, or Sherlock, but I had illusions the police were more thorough then the local gossip columnist.  I believe you owe an apology to Wiccans everywhere and Pagans everywhere.  It should be given to the news as well as going in person to local Pagans.

Sincerely,
Bianca Bradley
The evil Pagan Republican(a tag I use, since many Pagans are vehemently liberal and I"m one of the few Republicans who have very few issues with Christians) author of http://paininthebum.blogspot.com/

other contact info I'm redacting for the blog.


Contact info for the Sheriff
email
dcwiggins@escambiaso.com
http://www.escambiaso.com/index.php/newsroom/pio/

edited in what the family said
http://wkrg.com/2015/08/05/smith-relatives-discuss-witchcraft-triple-murder-in-pensacola/

Full moon over Jacksonville Beach

Things that make the Gods go Om nom nom

Morrigan really likes this one.

It's Irish Cream French toast.  If I had strawberries, a little of this and whip cream would have been good.

Ok so the recipe.
4 eggs beaten
A teaspoon of Pure Vanilla
nutmeg
A tablespoon of sugar
Irish cream
(Beat that all together)
Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup milk.

Put stale bread in, and fry up.

Enjoy

This could go along btw with the Diversity I was talking about in a prior post.http://paininthebum.blogspot.com/2015/07/pros-to-how-america-has-shaped-me-and.html Feeding the gods food that wasn't typically in their culture to begin with and it being ok.  To treat the Gods as people who wouldn't mind trying new things, because the ones I've encountered aren't super duper picky finicky eaters.

Pros to how America has shaped me and my Paganism.

I wrote earlier about how I don't understand why some Polytheists are trying to redo a lot about our ancestors, because for Americans we are shaped by our own culture.  That there are benefits to being American.  Here are some of them, that come to mind for me.

America is a land shaped by many nations and many cultures.  Our food is an amalgam of Native American(popcorn)Italian(Spaghetti), Spanish(Tex Mex, Chilli, burritos etc), Chinese,Germany(hamburger, hot dogs) etc.  It should come as no wonder that is also true for non food stuff as well.  That is another long post all on its own.

This may end up being a serial which I will write when things poke me.


1. Freedom!  We are free to say, and worship pretty much as we please.  Our men and women have died to ensure that and I'm sure that William Wallace would be proud.  We also don't have to pay a tax nor be second class citizens in order to practice what we want.

     Pagans have weathered the SRA abuse scandal.http://www.people.vcu.edu/~dbromley/undergraduate/spiritualCommunity/SatanicCults.html
     We have fought to get Pentacles and other symbols on our veterans headstones for the VA to pay for them.http://religionandpolitics.org/2012/06/20/the-plight-of-pagans-in-the-military/
     We have a circle at Ft Hood and other Pagan religious places are coming into being.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/daily/june99/wicca08.htm
By the way for any Pagans that are still grumpy about Bob Barr, he has since said he was an ass and apologized, lets forgive him already.

The above is small taste from my memory of the importance of Freedom of religion to American Pagans.  Many of the fears of the abuse of the government on Satanic Ritual Abuse still hold, some real(CPS and DCF have far to much power imho) and some to fuel the victim complex some of us have and continue to flog(ahem burning times).

We owe no fealty to anyone.  We have no king, no pompous lord to which we are serfs , no chief.  Which for me, is something I've always has issues with, when Paganism tries to put Hierarchy back in.  We got rid of that for a reason.  (Wicca and Hp and HPS aka Lord and Lady of English romantic yore and Heathens with the Chief thing)

Anyone can be anything.  There is none of that you can only be a Knight if you are of noble blood nonsense. The Weasleys would have been middle class since they were civil servants, and held in just as high regards as Draco's family. Voldemort would not have been able to pull off that pure blood bullshit.  Try to cow us with fear, and we strike back hard.  It's one of the few times us caterwauling cat types will actually band together.  That and we understand what inbreeding are, which is what happens when you try to keep the bloodlines pure(ahem looking at you European Nobility and Egyptian Royalty)

2. Diversity

We live in an ancient land, who's Gods and Spirits were the stories of the various Native American tribes.  The names of the tribes are scattered throughout the geography of the various states.  The tales and spooky stories still abound.  The European and Chinese American are new veneers over this land.  The Christian God has only been here since the late 1400's.  Our Gods while old and known, are newer still in relation to the Native American and Christian God in this land.

The things you may encounter may not be things that you have taken the time to study.  It helps to keep an open mind.  Some fights haven't ended for some spirits.

Modern American is like the Roman Empire, very diverse and full of many cultures.  We are fairly accepting, even more so then them(See why Christians had so much issues in those olden times).  We have a variety of Gods that we can choose to worship or even choose not to.

3. Honesty

We don't have to accept bribery, con artistry and or corruption in those that we put in office.  It is perfectly acceptable to discuss if a religious leader is being a con artist.  It is ethical to say I don't agree with this person because I think they are in it for money and attn.  An old leader, who is now in the summerland made this http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html

We have more to go on that.  We regularly give billing to people that would make Houdini twitch. We still have drama fests over who is ethical and what is lore.  We need to find a balance between critical thinking and anything goes.

That's all I have for now.





   

Musings on time, UPG and religion

My daughter came into my room this morning, grumping about following a book a few thousand years old.  Why do people do that.  I told her religion.  She goes on to grump but we aren't the same people as they were a few thousand years ago.  I pointed out that's because we adapted.  I then proceeded to point out that she needs to do more research before she whinges on another religion, yaye teaching moment.  Hopefully my daughter wont' be one of those annoying Pagans who like to kvetch about Christianity and Judaism without really knowing much about it.

However this brings about a different point.  Why are we trying to recreate old Polytheism?  We aren't our ancient forefathers and foremothers.  We are the product of our time, and our morals.

I know for myself, and I'm going to talk about Asatru and Jotuns Bane a minute or three.  I treat Gods and Spirits the way I would treat people.  I treat them as a person who was raised as a military brat, with the moto, we aren't black, or white but green.  I treat them, as someone who is American, I will judge you by your actions to me, not by what others say of you.

Its why I don't have an issue with Loki.  Our relationship is built on our dealings with each other and a familial bond.  It's not built on someones UPG, that got twisted by a monk in Sweden, who translated or wrote down Oral history(Snorri).  I accept the Celtic Deities and the fey, for who they are and their dealings with me.  I accept that few Native American spirits the same way.  Why do I have to, in order to gain acceptance, have to treat Loki and the Jotuns how Jotuns Bane and certain other Asatru wish it.

We aren't Vikings.  We aren't Germanic Pagans of yee olden times.  Many of us are American Pagans.  We came from an environment that has some of the older Anglo Saxon morals, or Germanic morals, but we aren't those forebearers.  Why are we trying so hard to bring those morals back instead of adapting?

Why are we worried about something that sounds remarkably like Judgement day?  I mean come on, it's known who wrote the sagas down, and his bias.  Why is it accepted whole heartedly that is what will go down?

Why don't we get together and talk more of our own UPG and make our own stories more of the lore and canon.  I think it can be down with balance and some critical thinking?

Jotuns Bane and Lightning across the Plains gossip

Ran across this piece while looking for Loki friendly Heathen gatherings.  Sigh.
http://answersfromvanaheim.tumblr.com/post/47005356174/in-case-anyone-had-any-doubts-that-jotuns-bane

SIGH

I think I should file this under the ethics of THOU SHALT NOT TALK OUT OF YOUR ASS ABOUT SHIT THAT DOESN'T CONCERN YOU.  OR THOU SHALT NOT GOSSIP.

Ok.  A, who gives a rats ass whether or not anyone in Jotuns Bane was or is in Stormfront?  Why the hell does that concern anyone but Jotuns Bane members?  I can tell you from attending Lightning across the plains, I didn't see any racism.  Apparently it was comfortable enough for a Black guy(not sure if he's affiliated with a tribe or not) and his family to attend.  Also first day met a very extroverted Gwythia who is Gay.

My take, whether or not Jotuns Bane thinks stormfront has any ideals that are ok, they aren't coming across when they host or do security.  Neither of the people I mentioned above, are shrinking violets. Maybe instead of gossiping or speculating(to use the more academic word for gossip) about a member of Jotuns Bane, you should maybe have asked previous attendees.  Or maybe just maybe you should have minded your own damn business and not spread drama about.  I dunno, that's just one of those ethics I espouse.  Mind your own damn beeswax unless it's of pivotal concern.  But thats me.

Now on to Stinson and the legal blathering/GOSSIP.

Look, that falls under don't talk out of your ass.  You aren't his mother, you aren't his family and you aren't his kindred.  So until you actually run into the quandry of thinking whether or not to give him money or control over money, why the hell this would stop you from attending Lightning is beyond me.  No one, let me reiterate NO ONE when under the full microscope of legal or internet judging looks good.  To use a Christian ethic, Judge not lest ye be Judged.  Or another take, those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

I'm not saying don't talk about it, but lets not make a giant drama llama, cauldron pot stirring issue. Why, because it's gossip.  No one and I mean NO ONE but him, his mom and those who made the initial complaint really know what is going on.

Now on to the third and most irritating point of the post:  Quoted Which leads me to my point about LATP. Not only is it one of the only heathen gatherings for us Midwesterners, but also…Midwestern heathens are often a terrible lot. Flat-out, Gods-awful terrible. So many people out here claim Heathenism while clinging to the racist, queerphobic, misogynist, and generally backwards views that permeate our communities. JBK is popular in the Midwest because it preaches the kind of Heathenism so many people out here want to hear.That doesn’t make it right.

My response:

OH STFU.  Jotuns Bane is ONE Heathen Kindred not ALL OF THEM.  You are flat out insulting Tyrs Helm, who doesn't espouse that shit.  You are insulting Goldenshield and many other Kindreds I flipping forget.  You are insulting many unaffiliated Heathens as well.

Fuck you.  You are just as bigoted and just as much an asshole for saying that statement.  If Jotuns Bane and Midwestern Heathens were so Gods Damn queerphobic a OPENLY GAY GWYTHIA would not attend, nor would his kindred!

LATP is attended by Ks Heathens, Colorado Heathens, Michigan, North and South Dakota, Texas Heathens and others.  Until you get to know these PEOPLE you don't know their GODS FRACKING politics.  Also to quote someone on Abortion, if you don't like Conservative Politics then DON'T BE A DAMN CONSERVATIVE.  Don't go about making people who are into bad people.

This doesn't make you a good person, it makes you a drama slinging asshole, who can't work with people who don't agree with your political agenda.

Quit making Lokeans look like such a whiny drama llamaing group of people.

Btw  I HAVE ATTENDED LATP.  Outside of being in the closet for being a Lokean, and not feeling quite at home as I do in a Methodist church, I had no issue with the people there.  Friendly(very outgoing), I felt safe enough to let my two non autistic kids run amok.  One of the first people who helped me was an unafilliated Heathen from North Dakota, who is now in Ks and with another Kindred.  Nice guy.  But you wouldn't know that because you are to busy slinging mud about Jotuns bane to stop being an ass.

Faith

I just realized something, it isn't my faith in the Gods that I find strained.  It's my faith in people.