Compromise

[heartofmoon]

I'm a really new heathen, but I have noticed all of the in-fighting going on. How could anyone miss it? I am sort of loathe to make this post, as it will likely make no difference, just as all of the other pleas I have seen for peace and unity don't seem to be doing that much, except perhaps to bring to light who does and does not wish for unity.

Comments

[fluffyluggage]

You've just asked the same question I've asked for the last several months on a couple of LJ heathen comms. I don't seem to be getting very satisfactory answers, when I have received any at all... :) I believe you may have stated your question more eloquently than I. Kudos. I am trying to determine my own path, not completely certain of mine yet, but have asked why should I feel welcome when heathens can't even find time to stop fighting amongst themselves to welcome me, and the comms have stayed strangely silent, or have suggested that I find a way to not be a victim and learn how to defend myself. Interesting, eh?

[winterlion]

There's many places where there's none of this infighting.

come to think of it - what there is, is some places where there IS in-fighting.
We here in western Canada are fine as far as I know. Actually - we're AWESOME :)

perhaps if those arguing spent more time with themselves and more time being good neighbours - they'd be happier. Beliefs belong to oneself, camaraderie to one's friends, families and tribe (and related concepts).

[wudawasa]

Good point. I think one reason there's "all" of the in-fighting is that "not fighting" isn't highly visible. I'm not fighting with anyone. Nobody in my híred (Anglo-Saxon "kindred") is fighting with anyone that I know of. So far as I'm aware, none of the ASH or Ásatrúar who I know personally are involved in any lasting arguments or debates.

The internet may give the illusion of more conflict than actually exists in the real world. Thanks to modern technology, a very small number of bitchy people can shoot their snarks, barks and growls across the globe.

I really like your final sentence.

[winterlion]

Definitely.

And - thank you.

[heathenhulagirl]

I think people just want to be heard and they yell louder and louder in an attempt to be heard. The value of being seen as moderate is not big in today's heathen world as it was in the former one from which we are trying to model ourselves for some reason. Though I think it should be. It's really a shame. I think the more we try and make it become a well respected value the more we will find a median line where everyone can compromise with one another and not compromise their personal beliefs.

[svinfylking]

To be fair, most of the in-fighting is done on the Internet, where people will say things to each other's faces that they would never have the ball$ to say in real life. The Internet connects people from all over the world, and is how many Heathens find each other. It's been a great networking tool for Heathenry, but more often than not we get People With Things to Prove to Teh Intarnets. Once upon a time, I used to be like this, then I got a severe ass-kicking from the Gods and was put roundly in my place. This is not to say that there aren't people who are seriously misguided, have some very strange ideas, a Big Agenda, or an axe to grind. But on the Internet where people can be more or less anonymous or at least not face-to-face, things can get nasty

[weofodthignen]

Well, welcome! I'm truly sorry you don't feel welcome. I hope it's just an impression you have gathered from the fact that tehre are also other discussions going on

Lest We Forget. The Jews Won't, Why Should We?

[cartoonmayhem]

Marion, That is exactly the point I'm trying to make is that we can't try to silence the voices of those of us who have experienced real pain caused by Christian groups. I grew up in Indianapolis, another extremely hostile place for heathens. I think we have to make peace with each other before we try and make peace with Christian groups who are still hostile towards us (watch the 700 Club, which boasts 20 million followers and you will see Pat Robertson make almost a daily diatribe against pagans) and who have historically destroyed us. I was on another site where yes, my blog was provacative, but it was made to make people think and meant to gauge the reaction, and all I got was flamed, everybody rallying around the Christians, minimalization of the holocaust that happened, and threats against my person. One person calling me "overfeminist" and suggesting I be dragged out and beaten with a hockey stick! A so-called Gythia at that? A heathen threatening a heathen with bodily harm because I won't play nice with the Christians? Where

Re: Lest We Forget. The Jews Won't, Why Should We?

[weofodthignen]

Now now, let's not attack the asatruar community. They're heathens, and in fact the majority of us are also there. And in fairness, to some people goði/gyðja means "group leader," as it came to mean in Iceland. You need to deal with the Canadian heathens, cartoonmayhem; after all, you're married to one and you live there now :-) Although I suspect the people responding to you in that thread are assuming too much consensus among Canadians; I could name a couple or three crotchety Canadian heathens to make the point, but you already made that point by telling us about the past of your friend from Hamilton

Re: Lest We Forget. The Jews Won't, Why Should We?

[freyaw]

I think you were again being "provocative" to "make people think" and "gauge the reaction."

And if one does nothing but, or even if only a significant portion of what one posts is 'provocative' like that, you'll end up getting two responses:

• Meh, another 'provocative' post, *skip*
• Another 'provocative' post, brains off, let's jump in and *flame*

Being always an attempt at 'making people think' will eventually cause people to stop listening. Generally, I find that people prefer their thinking in small, easily digested doses that they can take away and process, rather than being overwhelmed by what feels like a constant stream of nothing else.