[stylist] Bridgit and others

Wed Jun 5 17:53:41 UTC 2013

Thank you for your response.

It doesn't surprise me that "Drawing Down the Moon" is controversial.  My experience is that if your church has more than one member than it will be controversial; lord knows there is aenough controversy in Christianity.

I agree that studying different religions can be interesting.  I recently read one of the BeliefNet books on Islam.  I also read one of these books on Falun Gang (which has some fairly weird theology behind it).  I also read "Mormons in America" which was interesting to a degree but also somewhat disappointing.  It covered where the money goes, some theology, and some history but dismissed the whole Mormon literary tradition out of hand.

Anyway, good reading.

Shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 4:21 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

At this point, I say post any writing, grin.

I agree that most religions are misunderstood due to pop-culture, and a lot of half-truths and misinformation is prevalent because of pop-culture. My husband gets his religious *knowledge* from SouthPark, and this is a pretty common occurrence.

I get a little obsessive when researching if the subject interest me. I will find as much info about it and peruse as many sources as I can.
When it comes to religion, I try to learn about it from that particular point of view. Obviously learning about Wicca and paganism from a Christian POV will be completely different than learning it from a practicing witch or pagan. Likewise, learning about Catholicism from a Baptist POV will be vastly different than from a Catholic POV. And so forth and so on.

I'm on this whole witch thing right now, so I've visited a lot of the online resources provided in Drawing Down the Moon, and I've been reading other books. It's fascinating to me. I'm very interested in the concept of religion, and I read a lot of books on the subject. I have considered going back to university to get a degree in religion.

I recently was on a Renaissance kick and was studying and pouring through books and online info about the 1400's and 1500's.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult finding accessible books. BARD and NLS are great, but they don't have near as many choices as there are books out there. I miss having all info at my fingers and finding any book, free or not, ASAP. Still, this does not deter me from researching.

I somehow managed to read four books during my entire weekend. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep, smile. Once Baby was down, I pressed play on my Victor. I also read at a pretty quick speed, which helps.

Okay, off to chores now, frown.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson, Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 2:03 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

I just ordered "Drawing Down the Moon" yesterday and hope to have it from the library soon.  I recently read "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller and firmly believe that pop culture misunderstands Christianity as much as it misunderstands Wicca.  Any great religion has deep truths and pop culture is too shallow to really understand.  I also just read "Among Others" by Jo Walton; this is an excellent book about magic (emphasizing caution in its use) and with a very life affirming ending.

I am reading "Endpoint" a book of poems by John Updike.  I'm hoping this inspires me to start up the poems again.

I don't think I'm going to tackle the Salem Witch trials directly for the writing prompt, but one of the poems I'm thinking of writing will touch upon them tangentially.

Shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 2:50 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

It is a long book, and some of it is pretty far-out, though some of it does resonate with me. I really like the environmental conservation element many pagan traditions get behind today along with the creative expression.

Since most pagan ideals revolve around the natural world, many contemporary groups emphasize the importance of conservation and not destroying the natural world around us. I'm a little bit into this and the whole organic thing, so I like a religion that believes this a key part of worship and life in general.

The end drags a bit as she gets a little redundant and includes a lot of info about specific groups, festivals and other resources. If anyone is interested in learning more about Wicca and neo-Paganism, this is definitely the book to read.

I finished Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials during the weekend. It uses actual documentation from the trials to attempt to figure out why people accused others of such heinous acts. It's written for teens, so it's not very long, and it doesn't delve into the subject as much as I would like, but it was informative and interesting nonetheless.

That people may have or may not have been witches doesn't disturb me, but that people could have behaved in such a way as the accusers did is incredibly disturbing to me, especially considering the Puritan culture and mindset.

It may take some time, but I still want to try to post something for the prompt. This is a fascinating subject, and I want to explore it in my writing.

For now I better go. The baby is suppose to be sleeping, but he's playing in his crib, smile. Better make sure the diaper is okay. I wouldn't mind some magical powers to instantly switch his diaper from a dirty one to a clean one, grin! I actually don't mind changing diapers, but Little Man hates to be confined, and he squirms, twists and does high-pitch shrieking  whenever his diaper is changed. I hope this is a phase, frown.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of justin
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 6:42 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Bridgit and others

I've read that book; it's pretty good.  Long though.  You are right about how across the board, creative expression id a big part of neopaganism.

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 1:27 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Bridgit and others

I've actually been reading various texts and books on the subject as a whole. I'm finishing Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-worshippers and other Pagans in America Today, by Margot Adler, a journalist and Wiccan, or witch, as she states the two are synonymous.
Next I plan to read a book detailing the actual trials during the Salem witch trials that has actual documentation from the hearings. All very interesting.

Like Eve, I want to do justice to anything I attempt. Even though just a simple exercise, I try to put my best into whatever I create. And I go back and forth on nonfiction and fiction ideas. Though much of what is documented in Addler's book I find difficult to get behind, one interesting fact that is almost across the board with neo-Pagans, as they are called, is the importance placed on artistic expressions, music, dance and poetry being emphasized. Many find spiritualism through their art, and many believe these artforms are transformative and transcendent. Personally, whether it be music, dance, acting or writing, whenever I create, I feel alive, a sense of being something bigger than myself. It's like I'm on the verge of discovering something truly grand and big and beautiful. I've observed this predominatly when dancing, singing and certain types of writing, particularly when adopting a poetic voice. Hmmm... This could make an interesting article for S & S.

And BTW, Beltane is actually May first (what is referred to as May Day in modern culture) and celebrates fertility by the joining of the god and goddess to usher in life with the coming of spring.

Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eve Sanchez
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 10:45 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: [stylist] Bridget and others

I have been thinking of Bridget's prompt and must opt out of responding to it. I think it is a wonderful prompt and is actually something I have been thinking of writing on for quite some time now. It is for this reason that I can not write at the moment, but I am not saying never. I just feel for me, that it is too important a subject for me to do a half ass effort on. I do not have the time at the moment to devote to such a project, but will someday. I hope that others will write on this prompt though and I look forward to reading the pieces. On this beautiful Witchy night though, I send blessings. Go out just after midnight and enjoy the magick of the lunar eclipse and the Beltane full moon. The veil is thin at this time, so who knows
who you might see.  ;)      (I am trying to figure out how to write
"Oooooo-ooo-oooooo." for you to get the spooky effect I intend. Eve

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/justin.william
s2%4
0gmail.com

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40h
otmail.com

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/shawn.d.jacobs
on%40hud.gov

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40h
otmail.com

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/shawn.d.jacobson%40hud.gov