TakingReality's New Writeupshttp://everything2.com/?node=New%20Writeups%20Atom%20Feed&foruser=TakingReality2009-01-17T04:04:55ZMedia and the Threat to Contemporary Paganism (thing)http://everything2.com/user/TakingReality/writeups/Media+and+the+Threat+to+Contemporary+PaganismTakingRealityhttp://everything2.com/user/TakingReality2009-01-17T04:04:55Z2009-01-17T04:04:55Z<p>It is often debated whether the mainstream media in regards to entertainment is a threat to groups of <a href="/title/neopaganism">modern paganism</a>. We've all seen the worst of it; some depressed loner suddenly happens to be sporting a thick leather-bound "book of spells" and an obscenely large pentacle, who happens to jump out and rant about her new exciting "lifestyle" at the slightest provocation, with "nothing you norms can do about it". As they will attest, they're apparently far more capable then the rest of us, with that "new magick stuff" and apparently "some of that crap works", to quote directly.</p>
<p>If you have not seen this, I recommend these pre-existing nodes: <a href="/title/Instant+Witch+Syndrome">IWS</a> and <a href="/title/MegaPagan+Syndrome">MPS</a>. Now, in understanding the problem entirely, let's set some basic facts down, in no particular order:</p>
<p>1. Believe it or not, teenagers seem to be quite obsessed with how they are viewed by others.
<br>2. Most traditions of paganism do not <a href="/title/proselytize">proselytize</a> beyond posting<!-- close unclosed tag --></p>…