Pagan Discussion Topics

Greetings!

Here’s a list of possible topics per month for the next year with questions and
sub-topics to be raised in discussion.

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January 2011: **None**

February 2011: Celebrating the Dark Months
* What is the pagan relationship with Darkness?
* How do pagans celebrate with winter?
* Is there too much focus on the light? Are pagans afraid of the Dark?
* What can we learn from dwelling in darkness?

March 2011: Pagans and St. Patrick
* The Legend of St. Patrick. Were we really the snakes?
* Should pagans NOT celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Why or Why not?
* Is St.Patrick’s Day a modern spring festival? What are similarities in
traditions?

April 2011: Raising Pagan Children
* How is the life of a pagan child different that a non-pagan child?
* Pagan activities for toddlers, children, teens
* What options do pagan parents have?
* How do children relate to their pagan parents?
* Do pagan children face discrimination?
* Can pagan parents be accused of child abuse?
* Do pagan practices put children in questionable circumstances?
* What if the child does NOT want to live a pagan life?

May 2011: Pagans and Sexuality
* Are Pagans Sexy?
* How is Sexuality Viewed in Paganism
* Homosexuality, Transgender, Polyamory
* Sexuality in Mythology/Tradition
* Pagan Sexual Etiquette
* Dealing with Community Predators

June 2011: Sacred space and sacred places
* How ancient pagans regard sacred places
* How modern pagans define sacred places
* What makes a space sacred? Can it be destroyed?
* Creating a ritual sacred place
* Creating permanent sacred spaces
* Sacred places in other cultures

July 2011: Technology and Modern Paganism
* Internet and pagans: Blessing or Curse?
* websites
* elists
* Facebook
* Techno-Pagans
* How does modern tech blend with ancient religion?
* How does modern tech clash with ancient religion?
* How has religion evolved around technology?

August 2011: Pagan Community Etiquette
* Public Ritual Etiquette
* Public Event Etiquette
* Pagan Conference Etiquette
* Pagan Festival Etiquette
* Pagan Affection Etiquette
* Respecting Traditions
* Pagan Tools Etiquette

September 2011: Being Openly Pagan and Dealing with Discrimination
* What are your rights as a Canadian citizen in terms of religion
* How open is too open?
* How to deal with criticism
* How to deal with discrimination
* How to deal with religious repression/attack
* When should you display/hide your religious choices?
* Balancing respect for other traditions with personal religious freedoms

October 2011: *Canceled*

November 2011: The Unmentionables: Pagan Taboos
* Are there any topics that pagans avoid?
* Satanism, Dark Arts, and Pagan Ethics
* Paganism and Sexual Etiquette
* Non-pagan religion bashing
* Pagan tradition bashing
* Controversial figures in pagan culture
* Dealing with Pagan community gossip
* Blending pantheons: the Dangers and Benefits
* Is it respectful to blend pantheons together?
* Are pagans open to every religion EXCEPT Christianity?

December 2011: Postponed due to the Yule Fair

January 2012: *No discussion night*

February 2012: Pagans, Conflict, and the Warrior Path
* What is the Warrior Path
* What is the difference between a Warrior and a Soldier
* Are Warriors still relevant in modern society?
* What is the Pagan perspective on War?
* Dealing with Witch Wars
* Ethics and Dark Magic
* Balancing Respect for Life and Defending Yourself

March 2012: Pagan Clergy
* The difference between Clergy and Leaders
* Do we need Pagan Clergy?
* Possible Pagan Clergy Roles
* Who would qualify as Pagan Clergy?
* How does a community support Pagan Clergy
* Money
* Materials
* Bartering
* Physical/Moral Support
* Is Pagan Clergy Sustainable?

April 2012: Pagan Practices vs The Law of the Land
* The use of weapons in ritual
* The use of alcohol in traditional ritual
* The use of drugs in traditional ritual
* Sexual etiquette
* What children are exposed to