Oh, God, the conversations we have to sit through!

I must admit that I've grown tired, very tired, of encountering the expectation that all statements be preceded by a lengthily pious series of pre-approved formulaic expressions of horror at society's injustices, or semiapologetic suggestions that one feels guilty for having spoken at all. I've grown even more tired of the unthinking exchange of currently fashionable platitudes that is then to comprise the rest of the "discussion". Sometimes, I wonder why people even bother to show up, instead of just sending a book of quotations in their stead. Or maybe a well-trained parrot. "End patriarchy! End patriarchy! Caw! Polly want a latte!"

I dread the prospect of "enjoying" another pseudo-scholarly exchange with the dogmatic supporters of someone else's idea of the "party line" who respond to arguments they have no rebuttal to by refusing to get them or by making up facts, even when presented with documentation to the contrary. I resent the 'social rule' that I may not argue too forcefully with these people, even when they are at their most absurd (or should I say, especially when they are), or in any way suggest that there is such a thing as the truth and that their position is in conflict with it. I'd like to be free to encounter someone who tells me "I've been in telepathic contact with the crew of a UFO and am about to hear their plans for re-ordering our society" and say "I'm guessing you aren't. Now take your medication, and go home", long before he explains to me their teachings about the true origin of the Pyramids.

But, gosh, that just wouldn't be nice.

What could be more American, or more Pagan, than proclaiming one's strong support for the values of free expression, and personal liberty? Perhaps saying it, and not meaning it. In this section, we're going to examine the mechanisms of social control at play in our community, and how they are used to subvert those freedoms we pretend are left to the individual. More importantly, we will discuss how to restore those freedoms, and how to tell when it is time, to stop being nice.

If you're looking for cheerleading, turn back, now. The things we are about to discuss, are not going to make you feel proud to be a Pagan. But if there's one unwholesome bit of baggage we need to discard from the 1980s and 90s, it must surely be this idea that nice people only discuss the things that make us look nice. Nonsense. Kindness can only come when we are aware of the injustice and harm that we do, because it is only then that we will know to change our ways.

Here, in this page on our site, we will speak of the things that some of us do, and ought not. Some will dislike that concept, or even the notion of criticism in general, being driven by the childish desire to think only of pleasant things. They should turn back, and read the other pages on our site. But if somebody is like that, he should not think he will ever be a welcome guest of ours. If there is one lesson that came out of this era ending, it is that somebody who never stops smiling, is somebody you'd better not turn your back on.

Shall we enter, now? Negativity ahead, offered without apology.