so I open my email this morning and am reading the posts of a local group. Most of them were upset because some of the books stores in the area has greatly cut out pagan literature. Now these are major chains we're talking about. Instead of seeing it as it is, that you have several major book stores in one area and they are not going to keep any item that isn't selling well they automatically start assuming it is a plot....please folks it isn't like that

Business is business and if something is not a hot item then you pull it or let it sell out (eventually) and replace it with another better selling item. it really is simple and not the entiore world is not out to get us.

I am working on a book about Ethics and Paganism and the research I have done so far has shown a lot of the books out there are kinda, well preachy or involved. I was wondering who would really like to see what and how that would help you if you care to share. 

   I have found out over the years there is a great difference between ones religious conviction and their spirituality.  I had a very hard time over the years figuring out just what the difference in those two things are.

 From my own point of veiw what I have noticed whether your personal religion is polytheistic or monotheistic is that there are basic principles that are found in each one. They may be worded differently or experessed in different ways but none the less they are there. The adherents to whatever religion do their best to follow and expound on those principles and live as best they can by them.

Regardless of you personal religious beliefs ask yourself a few questions. Why do you choose that path in the first place?  How does it help you gain peace and happiness in your life? Does it expound against other religions or suggest you should make any other religion or philosophy of life an object of scorn and ridicule for what ever reason?

I have news for you guys. I have seen Pagans and Pagan Paths that are guilty of this very type of thing and it is a disturbing thing to me. I have seen those that claim to follow 'true' Pagan Paths and suggest real pagans are intollerent toward Christians or any other form of monotheistic veiw. I have heard individuals beat the victem drum over the Inquesitions, but not bother to look at the fact that a lot of the very documents used against the so-called witches (which they weren't) and one such document would of cours be the Maleous Maleficarum. Two monks wrote it and then had to forge signatures( that unfortunately took over 200 years to actually find out) because their very own brethern would not support it. However those professing to practice the old ways won't tell you that. Why? 

 There are those that bash any form of so-called modern Paganism. Why?

There are those that will call you out because you're not 'doing it right' or maybe you are not 'witchy' enough.Why?

 Friends and neighbors do I have a news flash for you. No one has the market cornered on the God and Goddess. All paths will lead a person somewhere and usually it's right where they need to be so they can learn what they need to learn. Just as easily all paths can and are used for ways for people to grandstand and manipulate- even kill and rob (Romans feeding Christians to lions?). Every Path on this planet does have blood on it's hands, the Romans, the Egyptians, the Greeks, you name it they got it.  It is just a part of life I suppose.

There are those that adhere to their religious paths and leave it at that. Then there are those that use it for what ever twisted peurpose. I have a policy. If it is going to ask me to foster resentment or pride in myself and hold me above another person then it's something I don't need in my life. I have a hard enough time with Pride and Ego. I don't need anything that suggests even more. I deal with anger issues a lot in my life, namely my own. I don't need anything else to get angry over. None of those things at the end of the day bring me peace or comfort.

 You know things aren't always as they appear to be. I think that no matter how hard I try to figure somethings out, they just aren't quite what I thought they were. Sometimes it's pleasant to find that out and then there are those times that I have really made a mess of things and have to try to atone for that mess.

 Let's face it, in a perfect world I would make my ammends and atone for whatever I may have said or done, the other party would willingly and glady accept it and things would move forward and possibly be even better then ever before. But this isn't a perfect world and that usually doesn't happen. Sometimes it does.

 One thing I always have to keep in mind while making my atonement for whatever hurt or harm I have caused is that I am doing it because I am wrong and I have to face that if for no other reason then to grow as a person. I have to see what is wrong in my thinking and perceptions before I can ever possibly hope to make it right. I also have to remind myself especially when it really is a situation that is close to me emotionally that while I do owe an ammends the other party does not owe me any sort of forgiveness and acknowledgement at all. It's not about 'kissing and making up' but about accepting my part in a situation and being respeoncible for it. I just have to accept that the outcome may not be what I want.

 I can't make an ammends with a pre conceived idea of what I want to happen and expect it. That makes my ammends hollow ans shallow and completely selfish. That is not an ammends but a manipulation. In short it'd be adding insult to injury.

 Making an ammends is tough business and it's hard to keep the objective straight regardless of who it is you're making those ammends to. Bottom line is that in order to have peace with a situation and know that I have done all I can I have to do this before I can make a clean break with the past and move forward. Sometimes it's easy to do and sometimes not. But it is important and very vital to growth on a spirtiuasl level as well as a mental and emotional level.  

 Okay I have stayed off of the local community boards where I live for quite some time. I finally worked up the nerve to join one hoping against all hope maybe things would be different. No such luck.

 Not only are these folks around here just plain nasty (not all of them by any means) but they espouse open-mindedness but you get the message loud and clear. You can be open minded so long as you sound like me. Sounds a lot to me like those 'attend the church of your choice ' bumper stickers. In other words as long as you make the noises they want to hear then fine. But heaven help you if you dare to call bullshit on bullshit.

 I just cannot stand people who want to make nicey nice and sweep everything under the rug. I mean there is an elephant in the living room and NO ONE wants to talk about getting the elephant out of there. Just put a doily on it and we';ll act like it's a coffee table.

 I mean to be honest I am not a huge praser of 'positivety' and instead I strive to just see things as they are, for what they are and try to remain reasonably optimistic at the same time. I don't believe in letting an injustice that hurts someone go unchecked and I do not feel it is 'positive' in the least when the people in charge just want to play ostrich with their heads in the sand.

 I always tell people I am blunt and up front. I do not mence words and I love a good debate. it's all good until they get on the hot seat.

 Folks I get being positive and actually I am for the most part a pretty upbeat person. But there is thing called life and life is not always hearts and flowers and fluffy bunnies. If you fancy yourslef a leader you have to accpet the fact things are going to happen that are unpleasant and you have to deal with them fairly. That means you hold him or her accountable for their actions regardless of who they may be. If an ammends needs to be made and you are in charge guess what you get to do?

 Granted we cannot control the actions and the lives of others, but neither can we afford to turn our faces to any sort of injustice that is made on a group listing of any type at all. If you fancy yourslef a leader please try being a realist. Know there are going to be conflicts from time to time and you are going to have to step in and do what is right and fair.