anonymous said:
If a deity from a closed culture were to approach you, what should you do? Would working with them be considered cultural appropriation or offensive?
Firstly, we apologize for the original answer that was provided. The moderator is…I don’t quite understand this though. If the deity approaches you, they want you to be their follower. If you approach the deity and it’s a closed religion, then I can understand how that’s a big NG and you don’t do it. If the deity approaches you, they are interested in you; may have been keeping an eye on you; have liked you.
I know I feel a pull to Shiva (once or twice a year for the past four fucking years) that makes me nearly fucking cry, as well as several dreams in which Shesha has appeared, or His younglings since there was quite a mass of them, which states pretty boldly that Shiva (or someone in His court) wants me and yet I’m told that I can’t go anywhere near Him or They which, frankly, puts me in tears and makes me despair. Hell, the pull I feel does make me despair because of how strong it is. From what I understand, it’s akin to the Holy Ghost visiting Christians, that pull that feels just so right and you know what you are doing is right. To be told that I can’t approach Him… It’s like being told I can’t go near Mirage, my brother, or my parents. That I am not supposed to associate with them in any way, shape, or form. I know I’m supposed to, I know it’s what I should do because I love them, but nope. Can’t go there. I’m not allowed.
I just don’t get it…
It’s only a problem if you are investing PSG or any of the other tumblr pagans with an authority that they do not warrant
I know people want to think they have found answers here but no..
ARE YOU PART OF A CLOSED TRADITION?
DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH SANTERIA, VODOU, INITIATORY SYSTEMS OTHERWISE OF AFRICAN/INDIGENOUS HERITAGE OR IN SOME OTHERS PARTS OF THE WORLD?
NO?
THEN WHAT FUCKING AUTHORITY DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE THEY CAN TRANSGRESS AND VIOLATE THE TRADITIONS, RITUALS, CUSTOMS, AND RULES OF OPPRESSED PEOPLES?
CAN YOU TRY NOT TO BE AN IMPERIALIST IMBECILE? HOLY SHIT.
I don’t remember anyone electing you the Pope of diaspora. Cultural appropriation is such a bullshit overblown topic for over sensitive tumblr assholes who think they are right about everything. Stop asking these douchebags for permission. Ask the people who practice that tradition, but only if you want to practice openly. What you do in your own temple is your own fucking business. This is the way cultures learn from each other. It is a good thing to want to learn someone else’s faith. And don’t be bullied into thinking you must be an expert right out the gate. Everyone starts somewhere.Except these traditions can ONLY be practiced “openly”. Vodou, Santeria, they are COMMUNITY traditions, they are fundamentally incompatible with the idea of a “personal” religion that so many neopagans are apt to prefer. If you are not accepted by the community, you literally cannot be a Santero.
Oh,you’re a current practitioner of both Vodou and Santeria? You’re not? I guess you need to be drinking a big tall glass of shut the fuck up then.We have literally gone over this with a variety of Vodou, Voodoo, Vudu, Santeria, Candomble, Palo practitioners on this website and in real life. Like holy shit Scroll, pick up a goddamn book on these practices and actually go out and talk to them about it. You can’t “self initiate” into Santeria. Or a variety of other traditions. You can’t call yourself a “Mambo” behind closed doors and bibbidee bobbidee boo it comes true.
And yes, for what it’s worth, I do practice what is Vudu.
What would your Catholic elders say? Oh the hypocrisy!
Both CELAM and CEC, and in general most all of the Episcopal Conferences of Latin America have actually never given a public statement on these things.
The only reason why Santa Muerte was condemned was because gringo USCCB decided to tattle on CELAM’s silence to daddy.
Don’t patronize me Scroll.
But you ask for it so often. Seriously, if you directly asked them, how many bishops would say you can’t practice Vodou and be a good Catholic? 75%? At least 50%?
Think about that the next time you start spouting off and maybe you’ll learn to preface that shit with “In my opinion. …”