From: altheimm@nextnet.csus.edu (Murray Altheim)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: pagan self-defense
Date: 10 Sep 92 17:04:07 GMT
Organization: California State University Sacramento

In article <IJD.92Sep10145942@idickins.hpl.hp.com> ijd@hplb.hpl.hp.com (Ian J Dickinson) writes:
>>>>>> On Sep, 9, Ciaran Benson (CB) wrote:
>
[Ciaran discussing the ugliness of killing an animal, and the number of
weapons in her home...]

>> [lots of good stuff which I agree with deleted]
>
>>   Defining our safety based on a weapon is ugly.  Very ugly.
>>   I wish I could think of a way around that.
>>   Perhaps all of this has no place in alt.pagan, 
>OK, has anyone tried constructing magical wards around their house or
>property?  And how effective were/are they?  I know that this is a
>difficult proposition to prove - short of recruiting a team of impartial
>burglars and attempting a double blind trial on warded and un-warded
>houses!  [...]

>Would anyone like to suggest different techniques for house shielding,
>ritual or otherwise?
>
>>   I'll be watching ... Blessed be, Ciaran.
>
>Blessings,
>Ian

You know, I've wondered at the direction this thread has gone...

More talk about what kind of bullets than the reasons for them. Of course
I agree with the fact that this is a violent society and that guns kill
people, etc. but the fact that this is posted on alt.pagan seems to have
left the discussion. IMHO, this all began as an earnest discussion of the 
ongoing and possibly increasing persecution of pagans in this country, not
about the violence we all (regardless of religious denomination) share 
living in our humble abodes.

I've been burglarized several times in my life, and I wasn't home either
time (thank God!), but I lost a lot of STUFF both times. I would hate to
have it happen again. If I'm not home and it happens again, nothing short
of an alarm system that notified the police AND was foolproof against a
professional (ie., couldn't be deactivated by turning off the house power)
would stop it from occurring.

If I was home, it would be another matter, and the one we've all been 
talking about. I don't own a gun, nor a sword. I have a hunting knife near
the bed and a fighting staff behind the door, for the two instances I
would surely dread: someone trying to force their way past me after opening
the door, or somebody already in my place. A judgement call on using the
knife would then be forthcoming.

One of the first things I learned in self defense is FLIGHT. While not
always possible, it is many times a real option. Speaking only for myself,
I've always had an escape route. I currently live in a one room cottage, with
the only real entrance the front door. Someone trying to force their way 
through the door gives me at least ten to fifteen seconds. I'm about 5'7"
and very limber. I know I could be through my bathroom window (inaccessable
from the front) and into the bamboo behind the cottage before they got 
through the door.

My early warning system is an intruder light and strategically-placed
brass bells. Even the cats set 'em off...

If my circumstances warranted, yes, I would consider buying a pistol, but
I have yet to find the need. I hope to never need one. On the other hand, I
might be a LOT more likely if I had a family to protect. I probably would
own one then. And I would learn how to use it. I was a pretty good shot as
a kid (out on the farm with a rifle), and I'd assuredly be at the target
range until I felt proficient.

This sure is a hateful subject, isn't it!  :-(

Blessings and cautions,

The PseudoPacifist Murray

-- 
Murray M. Altheim      "Ils ont l'orteil de Bouc, & d'un Chevreil l'oreille,
Instructional Consultant    La corne d'un Chamois, & la face vermeille
CSU, Sacramento          Comme un rouge Croissant: & dancent toute nuict
altheimm@csus.edu       Dedans un carrefour, ou pres d'une eau qui bruict."