Like any other niche religious movement, paganism attracts cult personalities. Any leadership position is going to be appealing to these narcissists, and our community is not immune. Learning how to spot cult groups should be included in any basic 101 education for new Pagans.
The first lesson is coming to terms with the fact that intelligent, reasonable people get drawn into cults. It's not weak or gullible people that fall for it, it can happen to anyone. It can happen to you. Accepting that is the first step toward protecting yourself. Here's a link to a good list of red/green flags to look out for:
If I could get rid of one concept I see in modern paganism, it would be the erroneous idea that older = better. Humans have proven many times over that just because something has been done a certain way for centuries, doesn't mean it's the “right” way to do it.
Of course, that doesn't mean it's the wrong way to do it, either. Each practice should be evaluated on its own merit, and whether or not it works for the people that we are now, in this era.
Hi! A bit of an introduction here. I’m Dawn (she/her). I’ve always loved nature but recently discovered #paganism and I’m currently on a path to try and incorporate it into my life. I’m reading ‘Path of Paganism’ by John Beckett and it’s such a refreshing read. I’m also a beginner Tarot reader. So happy to be here on this server. Looking forward to getting to know new people! Have a wonderful day.