Why bother talking about values?

[fairgoldberry]

I have decided to participate in International Pagan Values Blogging and Podcasting Month.

The first thing it seems sensible to do is answer the question, "Why is it important, as pagans, to talk about our values?"

The obvious and easy answer is that our culture is deeply divided on matters of faith, and what's commonly considered 'the other side'

Comments

[northwall]

your perspective, as usual, is well-reasoned and eloquent. i look forward to seeing/reading more of your blogs this month.

i think i refrain from such discussions because i come very much from a "i do what works for me, what i think is right, and i have no right to impose my values on others", which as you pointed out, has its drawbacks.

what i see around me is a totally different way of looking at things: values are not so much religion-based here as tradition/society-based. (they may be Buddhist or Shinto or even Christian in origin, but i agree with the theory that extreme politeness and societal systems based on that politeness are necessary on such a tiny landmass... and technically, Shinto, at least IS pagan. so i intend to add to the discussion as best i can.) *hugs*

[fairgoldberry]

(sorry for the delay in answering; I bookmarked this to get back to and then...didn't

[neohippie]

I'm glad that you are participating! I considered it, but I don't think I can handle it right now. I think you'll do a good job. You're very eloquent.

I think it's really important, for the reasons you state. We need to have some standards of ethical behavior. I'm sick of pagans being stereotyped as irresponsible hedonists.

[fairgoldberry]

(as noted above, sorry for the delay in answering; I bookmarked this to get back to and then...didn't)

I'm kind of sick of it too, especially the stereotype that says we can't be good people because the things we believe are inherently immoral. I also don't like the stereotype that says most of us are just here to be 'not something else', not because we've made any sort of deep commitments or because we're looking for a significant spiritual practice.

Most of the major world religions have documented bodies of theological philosophies, explorations of values and faith. Most of our literature tends to be about practices, about niche communities, and about 'living pagan', but precious little of it tends towards the serious philosophy and exploration of larger issues. I really think it's time that we began aggressively speaking forth as scholars on more than our history and practice.

Much love,
Rowan