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... yeah, I know, who knew?
I just finished reading an article by Patricia Telesco on Witchvox, and I have to say that I am milding offended. It highlights a lot of problems within the Pagan community and places the blame squarely on the shoulders of diversity.
Besides the blindingly short sighted idea that Pagans should just 'suck it up and play nice' for the sake of community, hidden in the text is that complaint that she isn't making enough money to support herself and her family with the sale of her books (and has had to take, 'oh, the horror', a day job). The message contained in this essay comes across as, 'If you don't want your religion to be snatched away from you, then buy my books'.
Part of me can't really believe that someone who claims to be an elder would be so blind to the simple fact that *not all Pagans follow the same faith*. Economics ebb and flow. Sometimes there will be a lot of people buying things and going to festivals, and sometimes people won't have enough extra money to spend on luxuries like festivals, and jewelry and lots of books.
Another part of me sees this as a blatent PR move that just disgusts me to the core. Using scare tactics to line your own pockets is so completely counter to my ethics that I could not, in good conscience, contribute to her career. I haven't read any of her books, and now, I don't think I want to.
--Phae
I just finished reading an article by Patricia Telesco on Witchvox, and I have to say that I am milding offended. It highlights a lot of problems within the Pagan community and places the blame squarely on the shoulders of diversity.
Besides the blindingly short sighted idea that Pagans should just 'suck it up and play nice' for the sake of community, hidden in the text is that complaint that she isn't making enough money to support herself and her family with the sale of her books (and has had to take, 'oh, the horror', a day job). The message contained in this essay comes across as, 'If you don't want your religion to be snatched away from you, then buy my books'.
Part of me can't really believe that someone who claims to be an elder would be so blind to the simple fact that *not all Pagans follow the same faith*. Economics ebb and flow. Sometimes there will be a lot of people buying things and going to festivals, and sometimes people won't have enough extra money to spend on luxuries like festivals, and jewelry and lots of books.
Another part of me sees this as a blatent PR move that just disgusts me to the core. Using scare tactics to line your own pockets is so completely counter to my ethics that I could not, in good conscience, contribute to her career. I haven't read any of her books, and now, I don't think I want to.
--Phae
(no subject)
Date: 2006-07-11 06:26 pm (UTC)Personally, I am not terribley interested in the local Pagans around here. The dealings I have had with them make my hair stand on end. And if I could afford to, I would spend the $100 or so and a week off of work to go to the festivals they hold, but I can't right now, so I don't.
Does that make me a bad Pagan? Maybe, but since being able to afford rent and food are more important to me than who all gets to see me in all my Pagan splendor, I really could care less.
I buy a LOT of books, I support any sort of gov't action that makes it easy for me and mine to practise as we please, but I am not of the wealthy elite. And I say, that if Telesco finds writing Pagan books doesn't provide enough cash, then she can write some other kind of book as well. Branch out. Having to work at something other than your passion has never killed anyone. And personally, I would rather get a day job than comprimise my ethics like she has in this article.
--Phae