Is anyone here scared at all?

[GraphicQueen]

I am asking this because of Bush and so many super-right Republicans have taken over the federal Congress and federal offices. I must say that I do worry and I am not about to wear a pentagram or other Pagan jewelery out in public.

[PhuLoi]

1. Worry? Sure but don't be scared. The most they can do is kill you

and as a pagan that doesn't even merit a place on my list of things that are frightening. It is the followers of Abraham that seem to fear death, especially the Christians. What is up with that? Will they come after us? Maybe. Will I or my wife go down without a fight? Hell no. My wife will fight if she has to while I struggle daily not to.

[frictionlessO]

2. not scared but am watching closely, we are targeted that for sure. nt

[Cerridwen]

3. I am concerned, but this is not new for me.

I've been tracking the rise of the "Moral Majority">"Christian Coalition">"Faith and Values Coalition" since about the mid-80s.

I live in a city in which the LDS Church and the Catholic Church have had much sway in local government, the school district, state government, etc.

I've always been cautious and I will continue to be so. There was some religious freedom in this country for a short time; I think that may change here quickly. I'll do, if I have to, what our Pagan, Heathen, and other non-xtian ancestors had to do, I'll go "underground."

[yardwork]

4. I'm not scared. I'm angry!

[Kool Kitty]

8. So am I.

[knight_of_the_star]

24. For the record

I would willingly lay down my life so that my fellows could escape and find a safe place to continue our practices. I care not what happens to me so long as we survive in some way, besides I would rather die on my feet sword in hand than live on my knees mewling out pious mumblings before their precious book.

[toddaa]

5. Fear of what?

I will not change my life one bit to accomodate their fear. If you put away your pentagrams, you will become as fearful as they are. Having been one of them a long time ago, I can assure you that their lives are miserable right up until the time Jesus takes them home. I'm not about to give in to their fear and misery.

Still your mind like the mountain lake. Only when the water no longer ripples can your mind find the Way.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

6. I'm scared, I'm angry, and I don't mind so much being killed, it's torture

that worries me.

[CelticWinter]

7. I will no live in fear

nor am I afraid of what may happen. If they kill me so be it, this is just one journey on my life's lessons, and what a trying journey this has been. They fear what they do not understand and judge through narrow minds. I do not fear them.
Blessings
~~Celtic

[robbedvoter]

9. Falwell called NOW "the National Order of Witches"

 
http://mediamatters.org/items/200411230011

Falwell called NOW "the National Order of Witches"

Reverend Jerry Falwell, national chairman of the Faith and Values Coalition and Moral Majority founder, labeled the National Organization for Women (NOW) the "National Order of Witches," said he was going to invite People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to Christian men's gatherings called "Wild Game Night" so that they "can sit there and suffer," and called Americans United for Separation of Church and State "an anti-Christ" group.

[CornField]

10. Same guy that wants to kill homosexuals and tell God they died

And his congregation laughed and applauded.

[robbedvoter]

11. Also: "This is a Judeo-Christian nation - if you are not one, you have

TO PAY THE PENALTY"
AAR - Majority report aired this one from an appearance on Faux I think - Insanity&Coma show.

[toddaa]

12. That was Swaggert

You remember him. Jimmy "Oops, I Sinned" Swaggert. I miss Zappa. Ever since he died, America has been going right down the crapper.

[robbedvoter]

13. Are you sure? Thanks, I don't want to misquote, although....they all

sound alike to me!

[toddaa]

14. Sure

After we're all lobotomized, we'll all talk like Jimmy and Jerry.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

17. UGH! ZAPPA DIED?

why did you have to tell me? I was better off not knowing! Well, so long as Elvis is alright.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

15. oh jesus that fuckin falwell

[Withywindle]

16. Not worried so much for myself yet...

I live in a deep-blue city (Chicago) and I haven't experienced a lot of that kind of intolerance here. But I moved away from rural VA in part to get away from it--even 20 years ago it was scary. I am concerned for family and friends who still live with this kind of hate around them. And you bet I'm watching developments very closely. I do think we have to be very alert, and be prepared to step in and defend those who are vulnerable.

[LWolf]

18. No.

Fear is unproductive.

Am I aware that the heat will be turned up on anyone outside of the judeo/christian path followed by those in power? Yes. Do I fear it? No. Fear is an energy that manifests itself. It took me 2 decades to learn that I draw to myself what I fear. I won't jump into that mess again.

I probably will maintain privacy about my spiritual practices unless asked; I already do that. It's part of respecting others, as well as protecting myself. If asked, I'll answer the same way I used to answer my boys' questions about reproduction when they were very small; accurately, with nothing more than they really "need to know."

For me, the path is not about the jewelry or other symbols I choose, or don't choose, to display. Just as wearing a cross or other public symbol does not make a person a christian; it's the inner path that counts. When I choose to wear a symbol, it is usually recognizable only by me or by those who know me well.

If I choose to participate in a conversation about religion or spiritual practice, I will focus my remarks on commonalities; on the study of comparative religions or on whatever it is I practice that simply presents the other party's own belief from a broader perspective; whatever the universal truth underlying the dogma might be.

But I don't fear. It's that "perfect love and perfect trust" thing. I trust that I'm on the right path. I trust that I am ready for whatever presents itself on that path. I trust myself to deal with the world with perfect love, not fear.

[davidinalameda]

19. I'm not

in fact, I just got a pentagram tattooed on my back and already have two Celtic symbols as well

Fuck 'em--I'll get my ass to the nearest Canada consulate and declare myself a political refugee

[MaryBear]

20. The Burning Times were not long ago.

Fearful? Not exactly, but careful and watchful and remembering, yes.

[solinvictus]

21. No...

Contrary to many, I take a great deal of Bushco's religious babbling as pandering that will come to nothing. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

[LisaLynne]

22. I'm not scared.

If it's coming to that, then we're here in this place and this time for a reason, for a purpose. I truly believe we are heading towards an interesting new era that is going to be full of tolerance and light. The trouble is, it might take a long time (more than our lifetimes) to get here. Before Nov. 2nd, I thought there was a chance that we might do it a small step at a time, rather peacefully. But, with BushCo in again, I'm pretty sure we've picked the hard road, at least in this country. The rest of the world might actually benefit from it by banding together against BushCo and wind up solving a lot of problems more quickly than they would have. Who knows?

But, no, I refuse to be afraid of them. If this is something the world needs to go through, then go for it. Just don't expect me to play nice. :)

[knight_of_the_star]

23. Scared? Not really

Knowing some of Fate's design is very helpful that way. I wear my jewelry publicly and with pride, but then again I'm in SoCal so I don't have to worry about that kind of thing. That and I personally would not have a problem with doing something to turn his focus away from us. I fear him and his minions not, but I still make ready in case they want to make a fuss about our existence. We disappeared in plain sight for hundreds of years before, it won't be so hard to do that again.