From: emarsh@hernes-sun.Eng.Sun.COM (Eric Marsh)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: alt.pagan survey
Date: 10 Apr 92 16:41:31 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: hernes-sun


>1. A "signal-to-noise" ratio is a slang term for the number of postings
>that come into a group, that *you* find generally useful, as compared to
>irrelevant/silly/misleading posts.

>        A. As a percentage (0-100), what do you consider the ratio to be in this
>	group? 100= every article is worthwhile; 0=nothing here is.

30

>	B. What is the percentage if you discount skeptical or hostile postings
>	from folk with other religions, or no religion at all?

40

>	C. What do you suppose others in the group feel the average is?

Unknown

>	D. Do you think that any and every posting *on neo-pagan topics* has
>	actual value to you? (discount any amusement value)

No

>2. Someone posts a message to alt.pagan, claiming they can control the
>	weather by magical means. They have not posted here before, or at
>	least the name is unfamiliar. Are you *initially* inclined to accept or
>	reject the news?

I tend to be a skeptic

>3.	Would you send them mail, asking for details?

No

>4. 	Someone posts a message, claiming all religions (or almost all) are
>	aimed at the same divine figure. Others dissent the view. Which side
>	would you take, privately?

I agree, in one sense and disagree in another.

>5.	Would you post your opinion on the topic of question 4?

Yes

>6. 	Do you believe that UFOs are explained by extraterrestial visitors?
>	(not all, just some)

Possibly

>7. 	Do you believe in magic?

Yes

>8.	If yes to 7: Do you practice magic (consciously)?

Yes

>9.	If yes to 8: do you use ritual, or is it an innate ability that you
>	can call upon at whim?

I use ritual

>10.	Agree/Disagree: gods are best worshipped in a highly ritualistic
>	setting. (Consider what is best for the *worshipper*, not the
>	divine being. You can still answer this if you have no belief in
>	a divine being).

Disagree

>11.	Agree/Disagree: you believe in one or more divine beings.

Agree

>12.	Are women holier and/or more capable of magic than men?

No

>13.	Agree/Disagree: The method of worship is relatively unimportant,
>	as compared to who is worshipped. (Ignore pathological cases, such
>	as murdering as an act of worship.)

Disagree

>14.	Agree/Disagree: all people are innately good.

I consider this to be a meaningless question. Good is very subjective.

>15.	Do you believe that only some people can practice ever magic?

No

>16.	Do you believe the universe is sentient (self-aware)?

Quite possibly - theologically yes.

>17.	If yes to 16, does it care about the occupants, specifically
>	humans?

I don't think that "care" would be an aspect of such a deity.

>18-22: answer as for the general case, discounting bizarre exceptions.

>18.	Can a person be a neo-pagan and a believer in a monotheistic
>	religion which claims a male gender for its god?

No

>19.	Can a person be a neo-pagan and disbelieve in magic?

Yes

>20.	Can a person be a neo-pagan and disbelieve in the divine?

Yes

>21.	Can a person be a neo-pagan and disbelieve in the goodness of man?

Yes

>22.	Are satanists, properly speaking, neo-pagans? Why/why not?

I don't know. This has been debated alot. I'm somewhat inclined to
disagree, but mostly because I don't like Satanism much. I'll admit
that this is a biased attitude.

>23.	Some folk view the Newage movement and neo-paganism as more or less
>	the same thing; others claim a vast difference between the two.
>	Do you incline to either view? Which? Briefly, why?

There are simularities, but they are not the same thing.

>24.	Do you think Christians hate neo-pagans? 

Some do, many do not.

>25.	Do you think Christians hate neo-paganISM?

Many do, some do not.

>26.	Do you dislike the Christian religion? 

Yes

>27.	A neo-pagan you know develops a drinking problem (no, I am NOT
>	hinting at whatever you think I am hinting at. This is hypothetical.)
>	He or she goes to a group that helps him overcome his problem, but ini
>	the process adopts the Christian religion. Do you (choose all that
>	apply):

>	a) Not care (or be pleased), if he is happy.
>	b) Mourn the loss of a good neo-pagan, but maintain contact.
>	c) Generally avoid her.
>	d) Try to convince him to abandon the religion.
>	e) Tolerate her until she tries to convert you; then avoid her.

a

>28.	Do you believe, seriously, in reincarnation? (A yes answer implies
>	that you believe that many people, possibly including yourself,
>	have lived past lives or will live future lives after death).

No.

>29.	Do you find yourself in sympathy with, or adhering to, Eastern
>	religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism...)?

Yes

>30.	Do you find yourself in sympathy with, or adhering to, Western
>	religions (Judiasm, Christianity, Islam...)?

No

>31.	Do you find yourself in sympathy with, or practicing, tribal
>	religions (Amerind, African)?

Yes

>32.	Do you find yourself in sympathy with, or practicing, ancient
>	religions (Babylonian, very early European)?

Yes

>33.	Do you find yourself in sympathy with, or practicing, religions	
>	founded or based on extraterrestial beings?

No

>34.	Have you ever posted anything to alt.pagan?

Yes

>35.	If yes to 34: Do you consider yourself a frequent contributer to
>	alt.pagan (one or more articles a month)?

Yes

>36.	How long have you been reading alt.pagan?
>	1) less than 3 months
>	2) less than 6 months
>	3) less than 1 year
>	4) less than 2 years
>	5) 2 years or more
>	6) since its inception

4

>37. 	optional: How much money do you estimate that you spend, a year, on
>	neo-pagan literature, devices, or traval to neo-pagan events?

$150

>38.	Agree/Disagree: The teachings of Christianity are wrong in substantial
>	ways.

Agree

>39.	Agree/Disagree: The teachings of Confucius are wrong in substantial
>	ways.

Unknown

>40.	Agree/Disagree: The teachings of Jesus are wrong in substantial
>	ways.

Unknown

>41.	Agree/Disagree: ESP and psychic phenonema are very likely real
>	(discount obvious quackery and faked evidence)

Disagree

>42.	Astrology has real value in helping you make decisions about 
>	actions. Do you agree?

No

>43.	Do you think peace can be achieved by the year 2000?

No

>44.	Do you think peace will be achieved by the year 2000?

No

>45.	Do you believe that thought alone can change external realities?

In a sense, yes.

>46.	Do you believe that most or all goddesses worshipped throughout
>	history are the same being at heart?

It depends on how you look at it. All Gods and Goddesses are aspects
(as you and I am) of Godhead.

>47.	Agree/Disagree: all major world religions, at core, are really
>	trying to say the same thing (with varying degrees of success).

Disagree

>48.	How long have you held your current religious or non-religous 
>	views? ('since childhood' is sufficient if approriate; I don't
>	want to know how old you are.)

7 years

>49.	Have you adopted a religion different than the one you were raised
>	with? (becoming an agnostic after being raised catholic, or
>	becoming a quaker after being raised as a strict humanist/scientist,
>	both count as yes.)

Yes

>50.	Do you believe that mankind now has a deeper knowledge of spiritual
>	matters than previous generations did? (ie, is mankind slowly
>	gaining wisdom in these matters?)

Yes

>51.	Someday, you will (or could) be as a god. Agree/Disagree.

I believe I am an aspect of God.

>52.	Two neo-pagans get into a polite, but firm disagreement over which
>	goddess is to be worshipped. One insists that a particular historical
>	goddess is most correct (ie, Inanna). The other feels that all such
>	goddesses are really the same at heart and it doesn't matter which
>	you choose. If you felt inclined to enter the conversation, which
>	side would you choose? 1=specific goddess 2=all goddesses

2

>53.	A christian and a neopagan get into a polite, but firm disagreement
>	over which god is to be worshipped. One (the neo-) insists that all
>	gods are are really the same at heart and it doesn't matter which
>	you choose, including ones considered quite evil historically. The
>	Christian argues for her One God. If you *had* to support one side or
>        the other, which would you tend to prefer?
>	1=christian's god 2=all gods

2

>54.	Variations in rituals (magical or worship) are unimportant, even if
>	they are somewhat significant in nature.  Agree/Disagree.

Disagree

>55.	Ritual is a snare; all worship and/or magic should be highly
>	spontaneous. Agree/Disagree.

Disagree

>56.	No religion is worthwhile or helpful unless followed with complete
>	devotion, ideally as a life-long effort. Agree/Disagree.

Disagree

>57.	It is right, good and helpful to select various pieces of various
>	religions and combine them as a person sees fit. Thus, a
>	buddhist-unitarian-judiac fusion might be a meaningful and worthwhile
>	path for someone. Agree/Disagree (not necessarially with that
>	specific example)

Agree

>58.	Have you made an in-depth study of two or more religions?
>	(college-level studies, intensive independent reading, or
>	several years of practice in a religion all count)

Yes

>59.	Have you "dabbled" in three or more religions in your life?
>	(Dabbled indicates some attempt at learning and practice, but
>	not in a serious (to your own mind) manner.)

Yes

>60.	Agree/Disagree: The neo-pagan movement is fun and enteraining,
>	but not a serious thing.

Disagree

>61.	I find I am generally in agreement with postings on alt.pagan,
>	when they pertain to pagan issues. Agree/Disagree.

Disagree

>62.	The Newage movement is dangerous to its practitioners, and you
>	wish it would end. Agree/Disagree.

Disagree

>63.	Magic cannot really be used for evil practices; such attempts
>	generally backfire. Agree/Disagree.

Disagree, though I do not agree with the concept of evil.

>64.	Magic is neither inherently evil nor inherently good, and can be
>	used in either way. Agree/Disagree.

Agree

>65.	A life not spent in improving the world and/or drawing closer to the
>	divine is wasted. Agree/Disagree.

Disagree

>66.	Witchcraft has been viewed as evil by many groups throughtout history.
>	This is MOSTLY because (choose one):
>	1. It has been used in evil ways by some unscrupulous people
>		in the past, giving it a bad reputation.
>	2. It relies on spirits and powers which are neither good nor bad,
>		but some experiments into it have gone badly, giving it
>		a bad reputation.
>	3. Magic really is fundamentally evil.
>	4. People always view as evil anything they do not do themselves.

None of the above. Witchcraft has been deliberatly crushed by
Christianity because it is a competing religion. The "evil" aspect
of Witchcraft is the result of propaganda by the Christian church.

>67.	Only certain kinds of magic are real; other kinds are fake. If you
>	agree, you are espousing the view that, for example, cabalistic
>	magic is real, but other kinds are not. Agree/Disagree.

Disagree

>68.	You believe that crystals can enhance a person's power, ability
>	to live happily, or creativity. Agree/Disagree.

Agree

>69.	You wish every piece of quartz on the planet could be ground to
>	dust and scattered, because of all the nonsense spoken these
>	days about quartz crystals. Agree/Disagree.

Disagree

>70.	You believe in Astral, Ethereal, or other planes of existance.
>	Agree/Disagree.

Agree

>71.	I engage in fantasy roleplaying. Agree/Disagree. (This is different
>	from, my system of belief was derived from fantasy roleplay).

Disagree

>72.	There are no evil persons, only evil acts. Agree/Disagree.

Agree

>73.	A wiccan you know becomes extremely angry with you (assume he
>	has a reason to be angry). He storms off, with many a dark
>	warning about what is going to happen you in the very near future.
>	And sure enough, things start going wrong in your life, starting
>	that very night. Do you
>	1. Assume he did something magical to you?
>	2. Assume it was coincidence?
>	3. Asssume you have frightened yourself into unconsciously bringing
>		problems down on yourself?
>	4. Assume that powers are attacking you, but not at his behest?

I assume nothing

>74.	If you answered (1) to question 73, which action are you most likely
>	to take? (Assume he remains angry and cannot be mollified).
>	1. Plead with him to remove the curse.
>	2. "Report him" to other wiccans, since he is misusing his power.
>	3. Cast back!
>	4. Wait it out.
>	5. Pray to your chosen divine manifestation for protection.
>	6. Pray to your chosen divine manifestation for vengance and protection.
>	7. Retaliate non-magically against him (police, threats of violence,
>		destruction of property, etc.)

If I knew that 1 was the case, I would do a spell to bind or ground
his magic.

>75.	Peace can only be found in personal perfection (or a serious attempt
>	in that direction). Agree/Disagree.

Disagree

>76.	A relationship with the divine is more important to you than anything
>	(or you try to live as if it were).

Disagree

>77.	Agree/Disagree: I am a neo-pagan.

Agree

>78.	Cats know much more than we suspect.

Disagree

>Mail your answers to smayo@wang.com. Make sure the mail you send has a
>subject of "alt.pagan survey" or it may be ignored. If you have private
>flames you want to send me, use a different title, please.
>--
>These are only my opinions.  You should hear my convictions.
>smayo@wang.com


--
*  Eric Marsh   ---   email: emarsh@sun.com / standard disclaimers apply  *
*  DoD # 1332                                    dragbike pilot for hire  *
*  986cc Ninja street scooter   ----   GS1260 Suzuki Pro-Stock drag bike  *