The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum

What bits of  Pagan-related etiquette do you wish more people paid  attention to, or were better known? I'm thinking things along the line  of "don't touch someone else's religious jewelry without asking if it's  ok" or "don't pester someone with questions about what their practices  are if they're obviously trying to do something else" or whatever.

 
Don't leave your non biodegradable  ritual leftovers at outdoor sacred sites.

That polyester ribbon you tied to the tree will take years to degrade if at all and if it blows off could choke wildlife.  

Aluminium tea light cases  don't dispose of themselves either. If you must leave it burning after you go at least go back the next day and clean up.

Don't wish me a "happy [Wiccan holiday]" because I showed up to your supposedly "path-nonspecific pagan" meetup.

I think this is a specific (and especially annoying) case of my pet peeve: Don't assume every Pagan is Wiccan.

What bits of  Pagan-related etiquette do you wish more people paid  attention to, or were better known? I'm thinking things along the line  of "don't touch someone else's religious jewelry without asking if it's  ok" or "don't pester someone with questions about what their practices  are if they're obviously trying to do something else" or whatever.

 
Dunno if this is considered "Pagan-related etiquette", but. . .

hands off my shrine. Seriously. It's all shiny and yay but do. Not. Touch. My. Shrine. Don't lay anything on it, either.

Do not, and I mean DO NOT, tell me that I am 'doing it wrong' in regards to practicing my religion. My religion is not yours. I don't tell you how to practice your faith, so shut the hell up about mine! :mad:

*Goes away and takes a few deep breaths.....*

We Christians get that a lot, too.

OT: Don't assume that everyone who's wearing a given symbol as jewellery belongs to its associated faith (and that anyone who isn't wearing such trinkets, doesn't).

And on this...

Don't tell me what my Gods think about my disability, weight, fertility status or perceived attractiveness.  They're cool with it, and it ain't your biz.

I would like to second this - and add that it's not polite to ask about people's medical history just because you're a reiki practitioner, and it's especially rude to tell me that 'being healthy' is a 'core belief' of Paganism when judging me by my mobility aids.

This attitude that if you aren't in perfect health you someone have offended your deities and if you would just "get right with them" you'd be healthy again seems to be common to many religions. The people who espouse this view never seem to realize how offensive it is to others -- and likely to their god(s).

 
Yeah, a lot of religions think this way--"uncle Ned is sick because he doesn't pray enough"--and especially folk religions. Granted, it might have something to do with lack of accessible medical care in a lot of poor areas, but still... it's yuck all around and seriously fucks people over with disabilities or chronic illnesses. And it bleeds over into things that aren't illnesses, like homosexuality and gender-nonconforming behaviors.

What bits of  Pagan-related etiquette do you wish more people paid  attention to, or were better known? I'm thinking things along the line  of "don't touch someone else's religious jewelry without asking if it's  ok" or "don't pester someone with questions about what their practices  are if they're obviously trying to do something else" or whatever.

 
Not touching someone's religious jewelry is a biggie for DH. I normally wear mine inside my shirt, but he has a planetary talisman he wears that has been manhandled more then once by a curious by stander.

Please don't end your emails with "Blessed Be" while summarily telling me, or someone else, how to go fuck themselves and with what.

Also, interrupting an intense debate between two people with "remember the rule of three guys..." makes me want to punch said person in the mouth. Actually if one can't handle theological discussions, perhaps one needs to stay at home and fap to sparkly emaciated faerie pics on Pagan Space.

Ladies, stop assuming that because you had a bastard child by some black guy that we are "kin" or "sisters." You laid on your back with a bum, that doesn't make us related in any way. I am not your magical negro. Kindly exit stage right and get the hell out of my face.

And finally, don't try to talk to me about my "tone" when just 5 minutes ago some used up gutter snipe basically shouted down an entire room full of people because of her "hot Irish temper" with not a single person batting an eyelash. :stop: