Pagan Bumperstinkers Beirdd Fri Mar 3 19:15:12 2000 I don't know what was going on, but I spotted a flurry of Pagan and Christian bumper stickers today on the way home. Comparing them led me to wonder again at the motivations and intelligence of some Pagans who painfully desire, justifiably so, to have their beliefs tolerated, at the least.*p*The Christian bumper stickers said:*br*"God is amazing."*br*"Jesus is the Light of the World"*br*"Searching for Him? Let Him find YOU!"*p*All in all, three simple exhortations or statements of belief that, I think, anyone would have trouble taking any offense at, apart from their differences in faith.*p*The Pagan bumperstickers said:*br*"Goddess is coming back and man is she pissed!"*br*"My God is horny and I'm glad!"*br*"Earth, Air, Fire, Water - (Earth symbol) - She holds us all together."*p*Okay...let's get past the chuckling;-)*br*I like the last one...innocent, yet direct...gets the point across in what I believe is an inoffensive way. However, the other two seem to me to go out of their way to shock. I know the first is a Pagan version of a Christian bumper sticker, which stinks in that form, too, and easily wins the scorn of Pagans. The second is really begging for trouble by purposely calling up images of lust and the Devil. *p*Now, why on Earth would it be necessary to "promote" Paganism by stirring up ill will? I think that Pagans should live their lives in faith, practice what they preach, promote community, serve humanity, and not be afraid to share their belief when the topic comes up -- following that age-old advice of avoiding, in mixed company, the subjects of politics, religion, and Rosie O'Donnell. To make public jokes that seek to offend simply reinforces the stereotype, and exhibits what, I believe, is a lack of social and spiritual maturity, and a willingness to treat all religion, including one's own, as frivolous.*p*Those who disagree may take the advice of that other great maxim of the bumper: "Call 1-800- EAT-...." -- nah...just kidding ;-)*p*--Beirdd