[MR] pentagrams in devices

[nodecaf at nodecaf.com]

Gezz – what a firestorm of hoopla.
<sadly shakes head> Folks here sure have a way of sucking the
joy out of what I thought was a bright happy moment for tolerance.
Perhaps the SCA is not as open-minded as the credit that I gave it.
After reading page after page of comment & debate, I have to
sadly wonder if this is an appropriate place for my son and I – gee
I hope so, but quite frankly now I am a little scared. From what I
have read here perhaps there should be a notice on the front door of
the SCA that reads, “No real Pagans – No real Rom – Christians
preferred.” 




Like it or not, the symbols of both the
pentacle and the pentagram have historical precedent in period. By
choosing to lift the ban on such, perhaps the heralds also chose to
look at real 21st century appropriateness and
consequences. Would the SCA really like to portray itself as a
organization flaunting religious discrimination? How long would it
last if that was the case? 




If you are banning one religious
symbol, then ban them all, regardless of use in period. [The cross btw was historically used as a European Pagan symbol indicating the four
earth elements – earth/air/fire/water. During Roman times it became
a symbol of dominance, torture and death – much in the same we
modernly see the use of the swastika. Early church leaders, did not
use the cross as a symbol. That happened a few hundred years late
during the start of mass conversions of the country dwellers – i.e.
the “pagans”. The leaders knew of the mixed symbolism and message
behind its use, they were not stupid. On one hand it was used as, “see its a friendly
familiar “pagan” symbol” – on the other, it was used as a
visual strong arm - “convert or be subject to death” – the
perfect visual symbol for building a male dominate cult among
uneducated pagan masses. To me that is a heck of a lot more scary and
offensive than a little star & circle that originally had to with
the morning star of Venus. www.symbols.com
for any interested in the history of visual symbolism.] 




As to those worrying about the real
world consequences of not being able to use a campground or meeting
hall because of a star in a circle, remind discriminatory hall owners
of reality. Discrimination based on religion in this country is a
federal crime. While we may play in the Medieval period, we still
have to abide by the laws of modern times. 




Oh and while I am on my soapbox [and a
bit riled because of blatant calls here for intolerance and
discrimination].... please do not make the assumption that all Pagans
are “Wicca with an agenda”. That would be like saying all
Christians are Catholic and support the Republican party platform to
the letter.  As with any group of people, there are many views –
none better than any one other. There is within the Pagan community a
huge variant, however we seem to have a tolerance for all [maybe our
Christan brothers can learn a lesson or maybe they have just
forgotten what it was like to be persecuted]. We do not draw a circle
to exclude, but rather to include within a large family. Do know that
some of us, particularly of  Rom / Balkan decent, have been here all
along, meaning since the middle ages. Old ways have been masked,
shrouded and shielded by also practicing the religion of the region
and handed down silently. It is only within my lifetime that laws
have changed so that such can be practiced openly without the risk of
loosing your children to the state or of being jailed just for your
religion. [And gee, how medieval is that.] 




Tsura. 

[who will now go back to being her quiet ungrumpy self]