TechnoPagan: The Good The Bad and The Ugly

Today, because of the computer - a lot of things have changed.  At one time, if you were a Pagan, the only way to meet others were at festivals and gatherings.  You could feel very much alone.

Today we have computers and the Internet.

THE GOOD

Even if you use a pen and ink Book of Shadows - the hard disk is always a great place for a back up.  It's always a great place to write out rituals that others will have to read.  I know my hand writing is such, I can't even read it.  So, in the GOOD spot we have a new and better way of writing. (Don't get me wrong, nothing you can write with a computer can compare with a hand written on parchment , leather bound BOS!)

You can get good information from sites like Witchvox.  It lets you know if there are any others in your area, stores, covens, groups, PNO's, and events.  Also some very informative articles.  A great site for any Pagan.

THE BAD

The tons and tons of mis-information.  Anyone can made a website and write what they want there.  Put Pagan or Witch in a search engine and look at the tons of results.  Many sites just by their description will let you know they are bad, but some, to the novice may not appear so.  And people can be drawn to a site that says what they want to hear, even tho the site has bad information on it.  Some of these sites have changed some peoples view point as to what it takes to be a Pagan, Witch, so on...

THE UGLY

The predators.  Pagan views on sex and nudity is ripe for predators.  A rapist can use it to lure victims.  They will tell you to achieve a certain level with in the craft or a certain enlightenment you must have sex with a Priest and he just happens to fill the bill - run the other way as fast as you can.  Groups that worship sky-clad will let you know ahead of time, not after you arrived. 

Meeting someone on the net, you should be very careful about where you meet them face to face.  Always make it a public place.  Be very careful.... We do all our meeting at our PNO which is held at a local bookstore. This way the person wanting to become a student can meet us and we can meet them in a mutual place.

If you are under age and you are looking for someone to teach you and your parents don't know you are interested in becoming Pagan or against it - you need to wait until you are 18.  No legitimategroup or teacher will have you without written Parents permission.  Predators are looking for you.  You give them just the bait they need to haul you in.

IN GENERAL

The net for Pagan in many ways is not different for Pagans than anyone else.  There is the Good (Information that is put there by people who know the subject matter) The Bad (mis-information that is put there by people who know little or nothing about the subject matter) and the Ugly (The predators - who know enough to give them a front)  Be Careful out there!