05-27
2011

Pagan Blogs Are Faith Blogs Too

I never join contests. I never even promote my blog beyond tweeting and slapping my updates on facebook (because I want people to read the posts.) I am not a reviewer or a giveaway blogger, unless I am promoting a friend or want to have a little fun and make someone happy.

When I first heard about the “25 Top Faith Blogs by Moms” contest I thought it was so neat that there were pagan blogs in the mix. I was excited to support my fellow pagan mamas and asked my readers to vote for them.  I wasn’t planning on entering because that’s not my thing. (See above.) But after reading a few of the christian mamas subtly and NOT so subtly bashing the pagan mommies I became upset. It hurts me that this is still such a problem. I would never bash someone of another faith. I wouldn’t ever tell someone that what they believe is evil, or wrong, or not worthy of being a part of such a list.

Pagan blogs are faith blogs too.

Whether or not some of the christian mamas like it, we are on that list. And we are garnering quite a lot of votes from people of all kinds of faiths, because no one likes hate and bigotry. It leaves a bad taste in our mouthes. There are a lot of people that believe in tolerance, kindness, and acceptance. I grew up christian, and I distinctly remember that was a big part of the teachings of my church. Even if you do not agree with someone, you treat them as you wish to be treated.

I would ask my readers to vote for me because now that I am in the competition I’d like to do well. I really don’t want to languish at the bottom.  It would be like being picked last for dodgeball.  The fact is, I am now in the competition and I have to tell you something…  I can be kind of territorial (and by that I mean very much, like, extremely so) and competitive…  For example, I stabbed the huz with a fork on our first date because he stole a potato off my plate.  I have no sympathy for him. He has known since then what he was getting into and he still married me!

The contest runs until June 8th, and you can vote every twenty-four hours.I’m sure I’ll post reminders at least twice a day! I hope you don’t get sick of me. Seriously, I’ll try to limit myself to twice a day.

I could respond in kind with hatespeak and gather up a ton of votes and blog hits because of the attention, but I won’t do that. Because I know it is not ok to be hurtful and spiteful. And because I strongly believe in harming no one. I choose to be respectful of those who are different, regardless of how they view me.  I’d like to gain support by sending out a positive message about my beliefs, instead of being negative about the other moms in the contest.

So vote for me?

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Posted in pagan, religion | 48 Comments »



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By: Melissa

I voted for you. Not because I am pagan. I’m not. I am converting to Judaism. I voted for you because you are a lot like me and I identify with you. It saddens me that our world has become so hateful. Your blog makes me smile. Keep doing what you’re doing. =)

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 27th, 2011 at 6:05 PM

It makes me sad too. Thank you for voting for me!

<3 <3 <3

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By: Elly

And that…is why I love reading your blog. And THAT is why I will happily toddle myself over to the voting site and vote for you every day. I DID go read a number of the other blogs on that list, one or two I’ve added to my reader. The one thing they share is a sincere desire in figuring out life and being kind to others in that journey under the large umbrella of faith in SOMETHING.

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 27th, 2011 at 6:08 PM

I agree! I voted for some of the other blogs- especially the Muslim/Jewish bloggers.

Thanks for your support!

<3

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By: Merlin, Kansas

Spot on PERFECT! I also was raised as a christian, and chose to stop when I became an adult. Your basic message here is EXACTLY what I believe.

“There are a lot of people that believe in tolerance, kindness, and acceptance. I grew up christian, and I distinctly remember that was a big part of the teachings of my church. Even if you do not agree with someone, you treat them as you wish to be treated.” And, I might add, that I stopped professing to be a christian because of all the other christians who preached this, but refused to live it.

Brightest blessings to you and yours, Joni! You rock!

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 27th, 2011 at 7:30 PM

Love you Vernon!

<3

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By: paxye Twitter:

I voted :)

I tried to read that post and was unable to finish… It is not as much the hate but it is hating something that you know nothing about…

but of course I might be even classified lower than a pagan… I am an atheist…
paxye´s last post… 100 things about me…

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 27th, 2011 at 7:37 PM

It made me feel sick to read that level of hate. People that think like that are several steps up the ladder that leads to harming people in the name of “faith”.

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By: Amy Twitter:

I bet Jesus would have liked your blog!

(In fact, he’s probably reading it right now.) That would make a great t-shirt: “Jesus reads my blog.” LOL!
Amy´s last post… Foodie Friday- GF Rhubarb Crisp

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 27th, 2011 at 7:35 PM

I want that t-shirt!

<3

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By: Erikka

Wow.. that woman is very intolerant. My understanding is that God wants His people to be tolerant of all others. This makes me feel sad and angry. But I can’t be angry at her ignorance, only sad for her.

As for the voting I voted for you. :) I love your blog. I also voted for other Pagan blogs. I even looked at some of the Christian blogs because they are homeschoolers and their blogs are actually really interesting.

I think if more people spent more time worry about their own faith and how they can be the best person on this Earth they can be there would be less time for this kind of judgement and intolerance.

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 29th, 2011 at 11:08 AM

I found some blogs I am falling in love with because of this contest…. I am so glad I am part of this, even counting the ick-factor of the drama.

Thanks for voting for me!

<3

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By: Dae

You have my vote(s)!!! :)

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 29th, 2011 at 9:49 PM

Thank you!

<3
Joni Rae´s last post… Pagan Blogs Are Faith Blogs Too

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By: Nakai Twitter:

I didn’t vote for you because I’m Pagan. No, in fact I am a Christian. But I love your blog. I love that you are real and at times raw. I can totally connect with you. I don’t get to comment because most of the time I am on my mobile. But I read and follow you on FB & Twitter. I have been reading your blog and following you for about 6 months now.
A lot of people define themselves by their beliefs, like their beliefs are ALL that there is. So many Christians forget that we are ALL humans, regardless of what we believe. As a Christian, we are commanded to love like Christ did. That doesn’t mean bashing other religions or shoving the Bible down someone’s throat, it means showing the Love of Jesus in our actions. I apologize for my fellow Christian brothers & sisters and their close minded views. Jesus didn’t come to the world to condemn, He came to seek and save. And He sure as heck didn’t gain followers by telling them they were wrong. He loved them, no matter who they are.
Blessings to you!
Nakai´s last post… Dravens Christmas Program Videos

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Marita Reply:
May 28th, 2011 at 8:21 PM

Seconding what Nakai has said.

I’m a Christian also. I voted for you because I love your blog, it is raw and honest and I relate what you write about.

I don’t relate to intolerance and prejudice, that just makes me incredibly sad and distressed.

Will look out for your daily facebook reminders to vote.

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By: carrie

I voted for you because my cousin Candice told me to and because I viewed that other blog and was appalled by the hypocrisy running rampant through every word she typed. Its just mindboggling to me.

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 11:06 PM

Well thank you Carrie! I appreciate your vote!
Joni Rae´s last post… Tempus Fugit again

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By: Anne Marie

I posted on your FB page as well, but we are a Christian/Catholic family who loves your blog for all that it is. People need to wake up and stop using Jesus as an excuse to be close minded, bigoted assholes. Definitely not what Christ was about.

I’m sorry you’ve had to experience this. I wan to give you a big, huge, virtual hug!
Anne Marie´s last post… A Life Full of Purpose

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 11:07 PM

Thanks Anne Marie! <3 <3 <3
Joni Rae´s last post… Tempus Fugit again

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By: Molly

I’m voting for you daily because I read this load of crap: http://www.heartsathomeboard.org/forums/showthread.php?p=907549

Heartbreaking? Because a non-Christian blogger of faith entered the contest? Seriously? Puh-leez. What’s heartbreaking are the stories from Joplin, MO.

They’re actually crying and praying that a Christian blogger wins this contest? How petty and pathetic! How about praying for children affected by war? Or for children with life-threatening health issues? Or better than praying, DO something! Donate to FEMA, send supplies to struggling countries, drive to Missouri and help clean and look for survivors. They haven’t found everybody yet.

What a disgusting thread of vile crap!

-an atheist

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 11:08 PM

Joplin came to my mind when I read that thread too.

:(

Thanks for voting for me!
Joni Rae´s last post… Tempus Fugit again

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By: Lynn Caldwell

How sad. I’m not a mom, but I am a Celtic Pagan Witch. I read your blog because it is comforting sometimes to know that there are others like me out there, just living their lives and doing what they do, being good folks. And you are good folks. I have been blessed to know and love people of many faiths and call them friend; whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Atheists, Pagans, Agnostics, Buddhists, or something else altogether, the people I associate with are above all loving, kind, and compassionate. I refuse to surround myself with intolerance, so the intolerant people I encounter are quickly identified and avoided.

Every time I have to avoid someone because they have proven themselves to be filled with hatred and unhappiness, it makes me sad. I always wonder if I were someone else, someone with a more “mainstream” belief system and worldview, would that person like me, want to be my friend, whatever. Then I remind myself that it doesn’t matter. Even if I were whatever that person has decided is “good,” they would still find a way to be hateful to someone. And that is not OK. That, in fact, is as close to a definition of evil as I’m really comfortable with having.

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 11:09 PM

I know exactly what you mean. I feel this way too. It is so sad, isn’t it, that people can be so hurtful and filled with hate and fear.

:(
Joni Rae´s last post… Tempus Fugit again

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By: KAS Twitter:

Yeah, so, I said some angry things on your FB page and I do apologize for that, but I won’t be taking it down (of course, if you want to, that’s your choice!). I’m not a hateful person, nor am I intolerant but I AM angry and frustrated. I’m tired of people running around screaming about freedom of religion so they can shove their beliefs down the throats of the unsuspecting while turning around and saying that this is a ______ country founded on _______ beliefs and so-and-so Founding Father was a _______ so darn it all we should all be ______ too and if you aren’t you can get out and move elsewhere in the world.
There are honestly days I want to. There are days I want to scream and pull my hair and yell out the window that I may not be of a “mainstream” religion, but my beliefs are just as purposeful and that I DO have morals, that atheists have morals, that agnostics have morals, that I don’t sacrifice animals or drink blood or do anything disgusting like that, that I DO value life and that I’m not somehow raising my children to be godless heathens who have no respect for others.
Then there are days when I am reminded of tolerance and beauty in the world by people like you and your posts, so calm and collected and so everything I wish I could be when talking about the hatred in this world, and I thank the god and goddess for people like you being around to remind me that even though there are obviously hateful, scornful, angry people in this world who live like their opinions and thoughts are the only ones that matter, there will always be beauty and sincerity, understanding and tolerance. And I think I really needed that.
KAS´s last post… Admitting it hurt

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 11:10 PM

You don’ have to take anything down…. Venting is totally understandable.

<3
Joni Rae´s last post… Tempus Fugit again

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By: Dulce

Hugs to you and thank you. I am one of the Christian bloggers in the contest, and I voted for you. Your blog is beautiful, loving, intelligent and thoughtful–all things that I admire. I agree with Nakai’s comment completely. :)
Dulce´s last post… Fear- Boundaries and Pleasers

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 27th, 2011 at 9:33 PM

Oh! Where is your blog? I would love to vote for you too!

*going to look for it now*

<3 <3 <3

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By: Riceball Mommy

I’ve been voting, and I’ll be happy to have your reminder posts. I’ll be voting for you and (almost) all of the pagan blogs.

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 27th, 2011 at 9:32 PM

Thank you! <3 <3 <3

I’m worried people will get sick of seeing them, but I am SO excited to be in the top 20! I wasn’t expecting that. I would love to be able to hold onto my spot now, because I think my blog is a happy place and shows how “normal” a pagan family can be. It would be great to be in the permanent top 25 list!

<3

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By: Nicole

Dont forget, you can vote for more than one blog!!! Vote for ALL the pagan blogs..Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom is currently number two…wouldnt it be awesome if a pagan blog took number one!!

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 27th, 2011 at 9:24 PM

I have been! And for the Muslim and Jewish blogs as well!

<3

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By: MaryBeth

I usually dont vote in these things, but occassionally I do to support someone I know, now with this going on, I am voting everyday to support Pagan women/moms because they deserve the recognition as much as anyone, perhaps in this case much more than some….

BRAVA! And keep up the good work!

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 11:11 PM

Thank you Marybeth!!!! <3 <3 <3

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By: Christie Haskell Twitter:

Well done.
While I may be Pagan, I believe that religion is insanely personal and there is no one-size-fits-all.
I also feel sad for people who feel that they have to put down every other belief to feel more secure in their own.
Christie Haskell´s last post… No High-Five For S!&y Parenting Choices- Thankyouverymuch!

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 11:13 PM

YES! I agree. Religion should be personal. And people like that make me sad too.

When I read the time-warp post I just felt so sick and sad for that woman, and the tiny box she lives in.
Joni Rae´s last post… Tempus Fugit again

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By: Mia

I’m an ex-Pagan gone Orthodox Christian, and I voted for you because I looked at the blog and thought it was cool.

Also, I realize that Pagan blogs are not an attack on Christianity. People can say that they believe something else, and just because you don’t agree does NOT make it an attack. If it were, then every post with Christian content could be seen as an attack on everyone who isn’t Christian, and it should be easy to see how ridiculous it would be to think that.

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Joni Rae Reply:
May 30th, 2011 at 11:14 PM

Well thank you for voting for me! I am glad you liked my blog!

<3
Joni Rae´s last post… Tempus Fugit again

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By: Jimmy

I loved this entry.

While many pagans are talking in a buzz about the Christian blogs being hateful, they’re either not seeing or neglecting the fact that THEY are being hateful as well.

I had a few pagan blogs on my FB wall and I’m sad to say, due to this contest, I took quite a few down. I just got so tired of hearing about how the Christian blogs trashed them, and them asking for more and more votes JUST to have the top ten board full of pagan blogs, and a pagan blog especially in the number one slot.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a pagan through and through. I just believe that sometimes we as people – pagan or not – need to take a step back and pay attention to what we are saying and how that makes us look.

Harm none. That means physically AND in speech.

[[hugs]]

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By: Michelle Hesse Twitter:

I usually dont leave FB…so when I hear about what was going on with the faith based contest and what that ‘christian’ woman was going on and on about…I had to start reading for myself. I’ve voted for every pagan, jew, muslim, and any other non-christian blog! LOL Maybe a bit extreme…but I am tired of this ‘war’ from christians. I grew up catholic, but I hated every minute of it. I wanted to be a priest and when they said girls cant do that I left. I became Pagan, studied on my own for 7 yrs, joined a coven, studied with them for 4 yrs, now I’ve been solitary for 7 yrs again. I married a guy (who I thought was open minded) but since we’ve had my daughter (and moved to the Bible belt) He doesnt want his parents or our daughter to know ‘my ways’. I’ve been struggling with hateful people and hiding in the closet. I’m sick of it. A friend of mine got asked to leave Starbucks for doing a Tarot reading!! This is America AND it is 2011.
wow, sorry to go on and on.
Many blessing to you, I’m going to look you up on FB. :-)

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By: Sarah

Wonderful, classy post. I am voting for you, and all my other pagan bloggers…those I knew before and those I’ve found (like you) thanks to this contest! Now following you on FB and twitter!! Merry meet.
Sarah´s last post… It’s a Will Smith Song…or summertime…or something…

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By: Veronica

New reader, over from the daily paper thingymajig. I clicked over to vote for you and was amazed at just how many pagan blogs are in the top few. It’s pretty cool – I’m sort of agnostic, with pagan leanings and I’ll definitely be heading over to check out more of your and the other pagan blogs. Thanks for pointing me towards it.

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By: fiona

You have the vote of this atheist. Hope you do well!!

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By: Fiona

Looking forward to having kids and putting my Raising Freethinkers blog on such a list from an Atheist/Humanist perspective ;)
Fiona´s last post… Minestrone

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By: Gwenevere Twitter:

I’m so glad to hear “Harm None”!! I’ve seen too many pagans wave aside that rule like a fly buzzing ! You go girl, your blog is great and I went ahead and voted for you!

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By: mamapoekie Twitter:

voted and shared on FB
mamapoekie´s last post… Youre Looking Lovely Today

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By: Wllow

I might be a bit dim, but I cannot find a button to vote. Is it my MAC?

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