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Author Topic: Am I earth-centered enough?  (Read 3032 times)

Ludola

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Re: Am I earth-centered enough?
« Reply #15 on: August 20, 2013, 02:12:31 pm »
Quote from: anonymus;117609
Frankly the thought of living without running water, electricity, AC, internet, and more than 20 minutes from the nearest grocery/bookstore terrifies me

There's no need to live without electricity. Reversion to paleolithic-like habitats is not the only way to be Nature-centered. In current century we have host of means to minimize detrimental effects of our life style. As regards to electricity, clean (ie not emitting noxious gases, dusts, effluents) technologies of production are advancing quickly. To support modern technologies (choose your way;)), engage in environmental protection (even by recycling your household waste), adopt the ecological awareness - this attitudes are now Nature-centered!

I consider all the movements focused on protection of the environment at least partially Pantheistic, even if now the desire to purify the waters and air are motivated by some practical reasons (like civilizational diseases) and then where valid simply due to binding idoelogy/Religion, which however does not exclude a large dose of wisdom and knowledge in these contents!
And residing in a cave? No, it would be a loss of much potencialities:)

Elizabeth G.

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Re: Am I earth-centered enough?
« Reply #16 on: August 20, 2013, 02:54:53 pm »
Quote from: anonymus;117609
Recently I've become interested in incorporating  paganism into my spiritual path. However I've often heard paganism described as "earth centered" or having a "deep reverence" for the natural world; now on an intellectual level I understand the significance of the natural world and I'm all for cleaning up pollution, switching to more sustainable forms of energy, and protecting key ecosystems but I'm not exactly what you would call a "back to nature type" either, nor would I consider myself the outdoors type. Frankly the thought of living without running water, electricity, AC, internet, and more than 20 minutes from the nearest grocery/bookstore terrifies me[deliberate exaggeration]. So does this disqualify me from being pagan?



If I had to give up my electric lights and running water, I couldn't be pagan.  Camping, sleeping on the ground, using those foul porta-potty type restrooms with the blue antisceptic stuff - no thank you.

When I go outside, I try to take a few moments to appreciate a tree, a bird, a sunset, or whatever happens call my attention.  I do little things to conserve water and energy; where possible I ride my bike rather than take the car.  For me, the most important part of revering nature is being good to my fellow creatures.  I make an effort to give personal attention to each of my pets, I help stray dogs, and I try to be kind to other people even if they really don't seem to deserve it.  (Limited success with that last, but I'm improving.)  I am aware of the moon phases, and celebrate the Wheel of the Year.

I think most of us feel like we could or should be doing more.

Jenett's suggestions are wonderful.

HeartShadow

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Am I earth-centered enough?
« Reply #17 on: August 20, 2013, 03:11:33 pm »
Quote from: Ludola;119445
There's no need to live without electricity. Reversion to paleolithic-like habitats is not the only way to be Nature-centered. In current century we have host of means to minimize detrimental effects of our life style. As regards to electricity, clean (ie not emitting noxious gases, dusts, effluents) technologies of production are advancing quickly. To support modern technologies (choose your way;)), engage in environmental protection (even by recycling your household waste), adopt the ecological awareness - this attitudes are now Nature-centered!

I consider all the movements focused on protection of the environment at least partially Pantheistic, even if now the desire to purify the waters and air are motivated by some practical reasons (like civilizational diseases) and then where valid simply due to binding idoelogy/Religion, which however does not exclude a large dose of wisdom and knowledge in these contents!
And residing in a cave? No, it would be a loss of much potencialities:)

....one can recycle without any pantheism.  The earth doesn't have to be sacred for someone to realize that killing our habitat is a bad idea.

Besides, for pantheists, garbage is sacred as itself, whether you stick it in a landfill or wear it as a hat.

yennork

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Re: Am I earth-centered enough?
« Reply #18 on: August 21, 2013, 04:19:53 pm »
Quote from: Elizabeth G.;119450
If I had to give up my electric lights and running water, I couldn't be pagan.  Camping, sleeping on the ground, using those foul porta-potty type restrooms with the blue antisceptic stuff - no thank you.

/snip/.


Port-a-potty is so totally wrong if you're really going back to nature. You're supposed to gig a hole in the ground, preferrably with a stick. No toilet paper allowed, either, you have to use your hand...:D:
Never mind what should be or what might be or what ought to be. It\'s what things are that\'s important.

Granny Weatherwax

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Re: Am I earth-centered enough?
« Reply #19 on: August 23, 2013, 06:09:02 am »
Quote from: anonymus;117609
Recently I've become interested in incorporating  paganism into my spiritual path. However I've often heard paganism described as "earth centered" or having a "deep reverence" for the natural world.... So does this disqualify me from being pagan?

I find that a simple modification of the "natural world" bit to "one's habitat" instead. The wild and rural part of nature are all well and good. But there's more to nature than forests and streams, than oceans and mountains. Human interaction with the environment has produced a unique habitat: the urban environment. And it has its own rhythms, its own cycles, its own energy and power (in a literal and magical sense). I find that being a pagan with a focus on living in an urban or suburban area is just as fulfilling as a focus on the wilderness or "back to nature". It's really just dependent on your preferences.

Ludola

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Re: Am I earth-centered enough?
« Reply #20 on: August 24, 2013, 04:46:15 pm »
Quote from: HeartShadow;119452
....one can recycle without any pantheism.  The earth doesn't have to be sacred for someone to realize that killing our habitat is a bad idea.

Yes, I mentioned this in my post...
Quote from: HeartShadow;119452
Besides, for pantheists, garbage is sacred as itself, whether you stick it in a landfill or wear it as a hat.

What does it mean? "Garbage is sarced"? In Nature there is no waste. Dead organisms, decayed trees, even excrements and so on are eaten by saprotrophs so the elements circulate indefinately without any losses of matter!
Unlike civilizational wastes which often pose a threat without availing whosoever.

HeartShadow

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Am I earth-centered enough?
« Reply #21 on: August 25, 2013, 10:08:45 pm »
Quote from: Ludola;119871
Yes, I mentioned this in my post...

What does it mean? "Garbage is sarced"? In Nature there is no waste. Dead organisms, decayed trees, even excrements and so on are eaten by saprotrophs so the elements circulate indefinately without any losses of matter!
Unlike civilizational wastes which often pose a threat without availing whosoever.

When did humanity become unnatural?

veggiewolf

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Am I earth-centered enough?
« Reply #22 on: August 26, 2013, 09:15:35 pm »
Quote from: HeartShadow;119976
When did humanity become unnatural?

I think it happened last night.
Fluid Morality - my spiritual blog
Eating Monsters - my mental health blog

"Religion does not define a deity- it defines the human approach and interpretation of deity." - Juni
"I hate magical thinking in my magic." - Darkhawk
"...a baseball club; a soccer unkindness; a hockey murder; a football team..." - Cecil, Welcome to Night Vale

HeartShadow

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Am I earth-centered enough?
« Reply #23 on: August 26, 2013, 09:51:27 pm »
Quote from: veggiewolf;120168
I think it happened last night.

Ohhhhhh ...  shouldn't have done that thing with the stuff, huh?  Oops

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