The Synchroblog Controversy

Alright, controversy might be a bit of a large term for the situation. For those of you who don't know what this is about, probably most of you, I was recently visiting my friend Erin's blog, and she was mentioning that the synchroblog she was involved with could use some new writers. A synchroblog is an entity in which a topic and a date are chosen on a monthly basis and everyone involved writes on this one topic, and links to the others who addressed it. Many view points on a single topic.

I indicated that this seemed to be a christian synchroblog and as such I probably would not be welcome, but if I was I might be interested in offering my viewpoints on these topics. She looked into it, they took a vote, and big surprise: I was right. I am not wanted by their group. It should have ended there. It could have ended there. I would have been okay with this. But then they got insulting about it.

Apparently, the powers that be with their little synchroblog decided that while I was unwelcome in the existing item, they would work on creating an interfaith synchroblog on which I would be welcome. Wasn't that nice of them?

Wasn't it nice of them to decide that I was not good enough to play at their table because I didn't share their viewpoints, but they would set up a separate room I could play in. One where these people who didn't want me could choose topics for me to write about so the cute little Pagan could do tricks for them, tricks that were unsuitable for their main parlor room.

The thing about this entity is that if I were involved with it, none of them would be compelled to read what I wrote. They could simply ignore it as they undoubtedly would this consolation prize of theirs. It wouldn't be as if I was handed a microphone to spout my views in a room they were locked inside. In short, my presence would have no necessary impact on them whatsoever, except for their knowledge that I was there and had an opinion on their topic. I wonder if they have been secretly appalled as I have commented on blogs about this topic when their acceptable bloggers have spoken up? Big difference there? Not that I can see.

You see, it isn't like I am trying to force my way into their club. I was perfectly willing to accept that they didn't want my contribution. But the gall of them to offer to set up (they set up, not me) a forum in which my opinions on their topics was acceptable to share pisses me off. I mean I am seriously angry about this. About the condescension necessary to even offer such a suggestion. About the fact that these 'righteous' people undoubtedly truly believe this offer is something beneficial to us both. Like it allows them to go slumming, and allows me some precious stage time or something.

What makes me even angrier is the fact that I have tried to explain my position (not to bargain my way in, but so she will understand) several times, and now I post here, and I am not sure that I am succesfully conveying the reason for the anger, the reason I feel the insult that sparked this.

This isn't about them not including me, but about their alternative suggestion. How do I get across the insult and anger, and the reasons for them so it doesn't seem like I am just upset about not getting to play? Or have I?

Or is this just another pointless tirade in my life, or something close to it?

A White Wolf Describes His Spiritual Position

I was asked for a brief description of my spiritual beliefs to attach to a post about a topic I started here that will be presented on another blog. (See Thoughts on Prayer post) My response turned out to not be too brief, so I decided to post it instead.

My spiritual path is in fact precisely that. Mine. That is not a "back off" or "mind your own business" statement. Just simply pointing out that the path of the White Wolf at this point has a population of one. Pagan is a term that I quite often use for myself. It is accurate, if not complete. For simplicity's sake I have referred to myself as "basically Wiccan". It gives a more complete picture to those who know the Wiccan faith, but in many ways it is not accurate.

To remove the pretty titles and phrases that strike a chord with people who are familiar with them, I would say the simplest description of myself would be a Goddess worshipper. An arrogantly monotheistic one at that. Somewhat unusual amongst Pagans, but this does not cause me to be aggressive with other religions since I hold to the belief that all of the "gods" that are being worshipped by others are actually manifestations of Herself, and that She doesn't care all that much what people think Her name is.

The Pagan part applies, since mine is an earth based religion. The "basically Wiccan" part applies because nearly all of their spiritual tenets do coincide with what the Goddess Herself has told me. It is just some of their practices I don't share. (With no insult intended to those who do.) Goddess worship fairly applies, although I don't always respond to Her in such a worshipful tone as evidenced in my Mother posts.

So those three terms would probably cover it well enough for a short reference to me. The remaining paragraphs come closer to the question at least, if not the answer. I would love to package it better, but it certainly isn't a simple subject. And that's just life, or something close to it.