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Irish and others gear up for St. Patrick's Day

A range of events gives everybody a chance to celebrate

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The opinions expressed in this discussion do not necessarily represent those of The Prague Post.

#1 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 23, 2010 2:58 am CET

"What kind of historians are you talking about?You have no point in this regard at all."

I am going to repeat it.What kind of historians are you talking about?

"I am sorry that I have spell out something so basic. Why do you find this so mysterious?"

I guess you do not understand the question otherwise you would not equate "documents" with historians.

#2 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 21, 2010 8:52 pm CET

"If you had visited Auschwitz, you would have SEEN the evidence on exhibit."

Perhaps you can enlighten us all. What did you SEE at Auschwitz that convinced you that pagans were persecuted? Swastikas shoved into gas ovens?

#3 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 21, 2010 6:01 pm CET

"The Nazis stole it and transformed its meaning into something awful."

They didn't "steal" it: they used it because it was a symbol of their philosophy.

#4 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 21, 2010 6:00 pm CET

"What kind of historians are you talking about?You have no point in this regard at all."

Um...documents, quotes from witnesses, photographs, something which one of the Nazis said, policy documents, etc. etc. etc.

I am sorry that I have spell out something so basic. Why do you find this so mysterious?

#5 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 21, 2010 3:50 pm CET

"That symbol originally had nothing to do with racist and hateful ideology. The Nazis stole it and transformed its meaning into something awful."

You are saying obvious.You have a "big chip" on your shoulder.
Pagan way is private matter.It should be kept that way.Anybody who uses it in any meaningful way does.(most of the time.)
I am not talking about some make belief"New Age" tree huggers in this.

#6 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 21, 2010 2:41 pm CET

That symbol originally had nothing to do with racist and hateful ideology. The Nazis stole it and transformed its meaning into something awful.

#7 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 20, 2010 2:14 am CET

"It would be hard to find a single political force anywhere in the world which was more closely allied to paganism. The swastika is a pagan symbol. The Nazis promoted and encouraged the German people to return to their pagan roots. Hitler's suicide happened on Walpurgis Night. Etc. etc. "

There may be some truth to this.
Of course,the swastka-the ancient symbol of wheel of life which is not really Pagan but of Hindu religion-was pointing in opossing direction than Nazi swastika.

In any case the Nazi politics were the bane of humanity- together with bolshevism both in USSR and China.

#8 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 20, 2010 2:05 am CET

" However they can be quite tolerant of deviant behaviour and other life-styles"

Obviously,you are talking about yourself in this.

#9 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 20, 2010 2:03 am CET

"By the way: what you are told on a guided tour is not what historians call "evidence"."

What kind of historians are you talking about?You have no point in this regard at all.

#10 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 19, 2010 11:26 pm CET

"You need to take a guided tour of a concentration camp, where you will be explained the history of which you pretend not to be aware."

As I think I mentioned above, what you think you may have remembered from a tour group doesn't constitute historical evidence.

If you have some actual *evidence* to back up your claims (links to historical documents, relevant quotes from credible sources, relevant photographs, etc.) please let us know.

Calling people silly names like a frustrated child doesn't really add much to this discussion. I realise that you are not an historian, however, even the most basic level of common sense should tell you what constitutes historical evidence and what doesn't.

#11 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 19, 2010 11:21 pm CET

"It's not possible to argue with a Holocaust denier. It's like having a battle of wits with someone who's only half-armed."

I agree. If you don't have any evidence it's impossible.

#12 Posted by

Paul Margulies
Mar 19, 2010 8:38 pm CET

""You need to take a guided tour of a concentration camp, where you will be explained the history of which you pretend not to be aware."

I have done that. Nobody said anything about pagans or gays."

Obviously you didn't pay much attention. If you had visited Auschwitz, you would have SEEN the evidence on exhibit. But you are obviously a person who would say, "Who would you believe? Me? Or your lying eyes?"

#13 Posted by

Paul Margulies
Mar 19, 2010 8:36 pm CET

It's not possible to argue with a Holocaust denier. It's like having a battle of wits with someone who's only half-armed.

#14 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 19, 2010 9:13 am CET

"You need to take a guided tour of a concentration camp, where you will be explained the history of which you pretend not to be aware."

I have done that. Nobody said anything about pagans or gays.

By the way: what you are told on a guided tour is not what historians call "evidence".

#15 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 18, 2010 11:42 pm CET

You need to take a guided tour of a concentration camp, where you will be explained the history of which you pretend not to be aware. There is no point in continuing this discussion, because we will just go around in circles and arrive nowhere, since you continue to insist upon your delusion that the Nazis didn't kill any homosexuals.

#16 Posted by

richard b.
Unregistered user
Mar 18, 2010 7:07 pm CET

"The fact is that Czechs are like Germans, but much less interesting, much less intellectual and much less tolerant."

This is unfair. Having lived here for a few years I can vouch for the fact that Czechs are boring and not very intelligent. However they can be quite tolerant of deviant behaviour and other life-styles.

#17 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 18, 2010 5:27 pm CET

"The fact that some of the Nazis may have practiced a form of Paganism "

It would be hard to find a single political force anywhere in the world which was more closely allied to paganism. The swastika is a pagan symbol. The Nazis promoted and encouraged the German people to return to their pagan roots. Hitler's suicide happened on Walpurgis Night. Etc. etc.

Note that I produce evidence for my statements, rather than puffs of hot air.

Incidentally, your wild suggestion that I am a "fundamental Christian" is wide of the mark.

#18 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 18, 2010 4:44 pm CET

"you deny that the Nazis murdered gay people, for whom the Nazis used the pink triangle to identify them at Auschwitz and elsewhere, a well known historical fact, is that you are obviously bigoted against them."

If there is any evidence please share it with us. To suggest that somebody who doesn't agree with you on this is doing so on the basis of "bigotry" is absurd twaddle. If there is no evidence then to say that it didn't happen seems quite reasonable.

#19 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 18, 2010 3:34 pm CET

"This is a new one. Please elaborate"

Karel,you surely don't expect anything inteligent from this person?
Although you probably will also get nod to it from Tomas Budesinsky.

#20 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 18, 2010 3:29 pm CET

"Czechs are not perfect, but I can give multiple examples of intolerance coming from Americans. Jesus himself said, "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" Don't you understand what he meant?"

Thanks Jesse,but why just single out Americans?The racial,ethnic and national intolerance is built to any significant nation in the world.
Celts,for example,will be "horrified" if somebody suggests that Brits have a common ancestors as Celts-yet it is based on fact.No fans of Brits the Celts,right?In the way,I understand.
Then,of course,there is the "Aryan" nonsense that fuelled the Germany for so long and which idea killed tens of millions of people of any kind and nationality.
Mr.Wagner was celebrating that "idea" in his musical pieces long time before Himmler and Hitler.
Tribalism is inherent in Africa and some parts of Asia even if we discount the "higher" form of it in nationalism in the rest of the world.Perhaps,in this context the EU is not so bad idea after all -if it just can get more democratic.

#21 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 18, 2010 2:42 pm CET

"I have already given you clear examples"

On the contrary, you have not given us one single scrap of evidence.

#22 Posted by

Karel Bures
Mar 18, 2010 2:27 pm CET

"The fact is that Czechs are like Germans ... ".

This is a new one. Please elaborate.

#23 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 18, 2010 2:20 pm CET

"...but much less interesting, much less intellectual and much less tolerant."

Alexia, I agree with Jiri. That is a very obnoxious and racist statement about Czechs, and an unhelpful generalization. Czechs are not perfect, but I can give multiple examples of intolerance coming from Americans. Jesus himself said, "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" Don't you understand what he meant?

#24 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 18, 2010 2:07 pm CET

"The idea that Czechs are descended from Celts is a myth which they invent to make people think that they are more interesting than they really are. The fact is that Czechs are like Germans, but much less interesting, much less intellectual and much less tolerant.

First,there is very little blood of Celts in Czech bloodline.While Celts were inhabiting this area for few centuries,the Czechs did not come here until about second century AD.There surely was some intermixing but probably of little consequence.
Your xenophobia,bordering on hate,makes somebody to wonder about your machosism,suffering here for what?
You have a clear choice of what to do,girl.

#25 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 18, 2010 1:22 pm CET

"If you have any actual *evidence* backing up your claims that pagans and gays were persecuted"

You seem to think it's fine to downplay the scale of the human suffering that was inflicted during the Holocaust, based entirely on your personal prejudices against particular groups of people. Very sad, but unfortunately not surprising from a right-winger. I have already given you clear examples.

#26 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 17, 2010 4:26 pm CET

"You may continue to spew your bigotry, and I will ignore you."

In what possible sense is this "bigotry"? Would it be "bigotry" in your mind to say that the Battle of Hastings was in 1166 and not in 1066? Or that Berlin is the capital of Germany and not Bonn?

If you have any actual *evidence* backing up your claims that pagans and gays were persecuted please share it with us. Otherwise, cut the smart remarks.

#27 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 17, 2010 4:08 pm CET

Mark, the only reason you deny that the Nazis murdered gay people, for whom the Nazis used the pink triangle to identify them at Auschwitz and elsewhere, a well known historical fact, is that you are obviously bigoted against them. Pagans were also killed in the holocaust, including, but not limited to, many of the Roma victims. The fact that some of the Nazis may have practiced a form of Paganism and that some of them may have been repressed homosexuals changes nothing about the fact that gays and Pagans were holocaust victims any more than does the fact that Hitler supposedly had some Jewish roots justify the murder of Jews. Most of the Nazis were Christians. However, I refuse to pursue a worthless debate with a homophobic Christian fundamentalist who wants to rewrite history. You may continue to spew your bigotry, and I will ignore you.

#28 Posted by

jan fleur
Unregistered user
Mar 17, 2010 2:06 pm CET

The Boii tribe circa 400 years B.C. ; a Celtic tribe; had settlements in the Czech/ Austrian areas. 'Bohemia' is a direct linkage to this tribe. They were known to put value into 'art' and carvings took on spiritual 'meanings'. Google Boii....Czech genetics are 'shot through' with Celtic blood, the Vltava was seen as sacred by many....research it; its worthwhile.

#29 Posted by

Alexia Lincoln
Unregistered user
Mar 17, 2010 1:48 pm CET

"I would like to see an article explaining the Celtic heritage of the Czech region."

The idea that Czechs are descended from Celts is a myth which they invent to make people think that they are more interesting than they really are. The fact is that Czechs are like Germans, but much less interesting, much less intellectual and much less tolerant.

#30 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 17, 2010 1:46 pm CET

"I am curious: how do you manage in everyday life in Victoria with such limited English? Do you expect everyone to speak Czech?"

No need to worry about THIS one,Peggy.

#31 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 17, 2010 1:42 pm CET

"I would like to see an article explaining the Celtic heritage of the Czech region."

Anybody interested in that could just explore history of area of first five centuries AD.

#32 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 17, 2010 1:53 am CET

"How different is that from Christians going around telling everyone that they're Christians? What the Hell is the big deal? Why should anyone be ashamed to talk about their beliefs. Do we live in that kind of country?"

To me it is not different at all.However it is certainly different to Peggy Donaldson and her ilks.
It is really funny how she is going to be looking into every little twinge of her physical body and wonder what and why it is happenning.Don't you agree?

#33 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 16, 2010 6:25 pm CET

"Don't forget that it was your friend Jesse that announced that he is a Pagan."

How different is that from Christians going around telling everyone that they're Christians? What the Hell is the big deal? Why should anyone be ashamed to talk about their beliefs. Do we live in that kind of country?

#34 Posted by

Margaret Donaldson
Unregistered user
Mar 16, 2010 4:42 pm CET

"it is just Jan Fleur who makes some kind of sense at time."

What does this bizarre sentence mean? At what time?

Jiri: *please* either write in Czech or use Google Translate so that your sentences are not complete gibberish.

I am curious: how do you manage in everyday life in Victoria with such limited English? Do you expect everyone to speak Czech?

#35 Posted by

John Kennedy
Unregistered user
Mar 16, 2010 3:11 pm CET

I would like to see an article explaining the Celtic heritage of the Czech region.

#36 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 16, 2010 1:43 pm CET

"Perhaps I should have said "Don't worry about Jiri - he's the resident crazy". At least, unlike the crazies one gets on trams in Prague, it isn't possible to smell him."

Well Peggy,then you have nothing to worry about,right?

Don't forget that it was your friend Jesse that announced that he is a Pagan.Not that Pagan religions are any different at its core than Christianity,Mohamedanism,Jewish monotheism,Budhism,Hinduism,Shintoism,Sikhism and other forms of major organized sects of religion.
I am just theorizing,am I not?, when I show potential results of Pagan spell.

You guys are slashing each other to ribbons.Whether it is Mark,Jesse,you,Alexia or others of "foreign legion" it is just Jan Fleur who makes some kind of sense at time.
The other ones plus few I did not mention are surely on the edge of irrationality and reason with your "philosophical" beliefs.
When somebody(like this fellow Fry) makes some kind of sensible comment,you guys turn on him too.What a collection of nitwits!!!

#37 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 16, 2010 11:17 am CET

"includes Jews, Roma, gays, Pagans, the disabled, mentally ill, Christians and others."

Perhaps you could point us in the direction of some evidence which backs up your claim that pagans and gays were persecuted. Otherwise it is yet more hot air.

I notice that you have not attempted to refute the obvious points that many senior Nazis were gays and that Nazism itself is a form of paganism.

#38 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 16, 2010 10:02 am CET

You're hopeless, and your revisionism is disgusting. Millions were murdered by the Nazis, and that includes Jews, Roma, gays, Pagans, the disabled, mentally ill, Christians and others. Although I don't agree with all of the allies' actions, if it were not for people like Churchill, the Nazis would have won.

#39 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 16, 2010 8:39 am CET

"Seriously, Mark, which European leader was responsible for sending Jews, Roma, gays, disabled, mentally ill, Pagans etc. to death camps?"

You seem to have a strange understanding of what "ethnic cleansing" means. It certainly has nothing to do with killing gays, pagans, etc. etc. and there is precious little evidence that such events took place. Indeed, there were many pagans and gays in the senior ranks of the Nazi party and Nazism itself was a form of Paganism.

http://www.islamdenouncesantisemitism.com/thepagan.htm

"Ethnic cleansing" is deliberately targetting a particular ethnic group and either killing them or forcing them from their home. This happened both during WW2 - when Churchill escalated the war by deliberately targetting civilians - and afterwards, when he and his alies Roosevelt and Stalin ran concentration camps for ethnic Germans. The Czechs were also guilty of one of the worst examples of ethnic cleansing in European history when they either murdered or expelled two million people who happened to be of the "wrong" ethnicity.

#40 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 16, 2010 8:30 am CET

"I think we both know who it really was. Churchill on the other hand was a hero."

If you believe that ordering the mass murder of over a million innocent men, women and children by aerial bombing sign that someone is a "hero" then you are definitely a satanist.

#41 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 15, 2010 10:31 pm CET

Mark, so you call Churchill an "ethnic cleanser"? Seriously, Mark, which European leader was responsible for sending Jews, Roma, gays, disabled, mentally ill, Pagans etc. to death camps? I can guarantee you it wasn't Churchill. I think we both know who it really was. Churchill on the other hand was a hero. You have quite a nerve coming onto this board saying something so outrageous! You must be a Sarah Palin-worshipping American right-winger. Perhaps you should post on some hate board like stormfront or something. You don't belong here.

#42 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 15, 2010 10:12 pm CET

Mark, could you please give me a specific example of what you refer to as "Churchill's enthusiastic support for mass murder, genocide and ethnic cleansing"? Are you not confusing him with someone else. In any case, you seem to mind about him not being a Christian or at least not being fully Christian. If it were not for that Druid former prime minister of Britain, everyone in this country might be speaking German rather than Czech. Perhaps you should think about that before you post nonsense about Churchill being an "ethnic cleanser". Or give me a specific example to back up your words!

#43 Posted by

Margaret Donaldson
Unregistered user
Mar 15, 2010 5:03 pm CET

"It could be anything.
I am not practicing Paganism or magic of any kind but what if I was?You may be playing with fire!!!"

Perhaps I should have said "Don't worry about Jiri - he's the resident crazy". At least, unlike the crazies one gets on trams in Prague, it isn't possible to smell him.

#44 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 15, 2010 4:01 pm CET

"Jesse: don't worry about Jiri - he's the resident troll. He sneers at everything anybody else without thinking about it."

Here goes Peggy!!!
Since we are on the topic of Pagans:
If person maliciously attempts to "follow" a persons to his house and invades his privacy,that person leaves an invisible but traceable thread for person offended to follow in return,this time in "spiritual" realm.Perhaps you heard of "law of Three?"
In theory the person targetted by offending one can (in Pagan way)latch his will to this thread and follow it to the original source.
Then,it could "plant" the seed of "discord" of his choosing on the originator of malice.It could be a medical distress of any kind,or misfortune in family or anything at all that will teach the offending person a good lesson.In theory,you should watch for unexplained twinge in your heart function or strange weakness in your legs that could lead to medical emergency.It could be anything.
I am not practicing Paganism or magic of any kind but what if I was?You may be playing with fire!!!

#45 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 14, 2010 9:23 pm CET

So mote it be, brother.

#46 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 14, 2010 9:15 pm CET

" No belief system is perfect. What's more important in my view is how people behave towards others, not what they believe, if anything at all."

This is true.
I am sure that Christians were not very happy when fed by Pagans to lions and witches(whether real or not)were not singing the words of praise for their Jesuit tormentors.Rather the curses I would think.Certainly,the people blown apart by muslim fanatics are the ones that will go to paradise-not the muslim fanatics that perpetrated it.
Anyway,I am not putting you down for your belifs even if they appear to me very romanticized and "Platonized" in sort of "New Age" positive nonsense.
You do what you do and harm will not come to anybody.

#47 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 14, 2010 8:58 pm CET

I think the Bible trumps Paganism when it comes to mythology, but that's just my humble opinion. No belief system is perfect. What's more important in my view is how people behave towards others, not what they believe, if anything at all.

#48 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 14, 2010 8:27 pm CET

"Curses or any spells with ill intent are strictly forbidden. Nothing is permitted to harm anyone."

Good for you.Druids,however were in their times involved in "harmful" spells of causing misfortune.
I do not know that from my experience or even from reading about it in specific form but from accounts of others this is based on fact.
Mythology's realm is included in lore of the old ones.

#49 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 14, 2010 7:31 pm CET

Curses or any spells with ill intent are strictly forbidden. Nothing is permitted to harm anyone.

#50 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 14, 2010 7:12 pm CET

"I wasn't accusing you of anything or claiming that you had implied that Pagan beliefs are Satanic, I was simply pointing out something that Pagans are commonly accused of."

I am happy that it is resolved then.You realise,if course> that if you publish anything inpublic blog that you will elicit-most likely-a response.I responded to your opinion.
Anyway,in my understanding all the religionsboth organized or non-organized aim for basically the same goals.
No matter what Pantheon of gods,angels,demons or nature spirits you(a person in general) "pray" to at best you want an advantage for yourself, your family or friends.At worst you ask for a "misfortune or curse" for what you perceive as your enemies.
There is no difference really between the "supernatural" entities of one sect or other save for the adherents.

#51 Posted by

jan fleur
Unregistered user
Mar 14, 2010 6:56 pm CET

dobre Boii..

#52 Posted by

Margaret Donaldson
Unregistered user
Mar 14, 2010 6:49 pm CET

"I wasn't accusing you of anything or claiming that you had implied that Pagan beliefs are Satanic, I was simply pointing out something that Pagans are commonly accused of."

Jesse: don't worry about Jiri - he's the resident troll. He sneers at everything anybody else without thinking about it.

#53 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 14, 2010 6:40 pm CET

I wasn't accusing you of anything or claiming that you had implied that Pagan beliefs are Satanic, I was simply pointing out something that Pagans are commonly accused of. I of course will not be celebrating St. Patrick's Day, but if you feel so inclined then enjoy yourself. I have stated my reasons for opposing it.

#54 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 14, 2010 6:05 pm CET

"Before you start accusing Wiccans, Druids and adherents of other nature-based religions of being Satanists, which is unfortunately common but untrue"

Where am I doing that?Not even "Voodoo" religion is "Satanist" as it was in use long before Christianity and even Jewish monotheism.
Satanism is a "jerk reaction" to Old and New Testament.

Nobody is asking you to celebrate St.Patrick Day.

#55 Posted by

Mark Winterton
Unregistered user
Mar 14, 2010 5:51 pm CET

"Before you start accusing Wiccans, Druids and adherents of other nature-based religions of being Satanists, which is unfortunately common but untrue Christian anti-Pagan hate propaganda, perhaps it should be pointed out that Winston Churchill was a Druid"

Churchill's enthusiastic support for mass murder, genocide and ethnic cleansing suggests that he might have been a satanist, regardless of whether he was also a Wiccan. He was certainly not a Christian.

#56 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 14, 2010 4:03 pm CET

There's nothing better than a tall refreshing pint of Guinness, but one doesn't necessarily need to commemorate a non-Irish religious zealot responsible for the murder and forced conversion of Irish Druids in order to enjoy that beer. Anyone who wishes to do so, oblivious to what St. Patrick's Day is really about, is welcome to, but I doubt that a lot of people who celebrate St. Patrick's Day really know who he was. The story told about him has been painted with a sugar coat. The "snakes" he "chased out of Ireland" represent the Druid victims of his campaign of Genocide. Before you start accusing Wiccans, Druids and adherents of other nature-based religions of being Satanists, which is unfortunately common but untrue Christian anti-Pagan hate propaganda, perhaps it should be pointed out that Winston Churchill was a Druid, although in the closet about it at the time. We're everywhere, have always been and always will be. St. Patrick did not succeed in chasing us away, and no one like him ever will.

#57 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 14, 2010 3:11 pm CET

St.Patrick Day is just recently imported to Czech Republic.It does not mean much for Czechs.However,as it is celebrated by many around the world.let the celebrants enjoiy it.
It is just one of many reasons to enjoy yourself.Robbie Burns Day is another one.
What do you know;French celebrate a "Bastille Day."

Personally,I do not need any particular name to enjoy couple of beers.

#58 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 14, 2010 1:38 pm CET

I certainly don't want to rain on anyone's parade or spoil anyone's fun, but I simply don't celebrate St Patrick, because to me he represents religious conflict, hostility and arrogance. It's the same reason I don't like Columbus Day. However, I do know other Pagans who disagree with me and do celebrate St Patrick's Day because of much of its Pagan symbolism, and the issue of St Patrick's Day is an unresolved debate among Pagans. However, by engaging in a Prague Post flame war, you are not going to succeed in changing my opinion.

#59 Posted by

Karel Bures
Mar 14, 2010 5:15 am CET

A welcome, and warm and generous article, just like the Irish.

Beannacht Lá Fhéile Pádraig!
(Happy Saint Patrick's Day!)

#60 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 13, 2010 5:19 pm CET

"As a Pagan, I find St. Patrick's Day very offensive,"

Some of New World paganism(voodoo in this case)uses Roman Catholic saints as a representation of pagan African gods and demons.Perhaps you too could learn to do the same in your rituals and use St.Patrick as a representation of Pan.

#61 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Mar 13, 2010 4:33 pm CET

"There were never any snakes in Ireland. The legend taught to children in the U.S. and elsewhere about how St. Patrick "chased the snakes out of Ireland" actually refers to the Druids, symbolized by the snake. People ought to learn more about this brutal period in history."

I doubt that there are not snakes in Ireland.There surely are all kinds of snakes in English Isles(I mean that literary,although......) so I am sure there are snakes in Ireland too.
Religious wars and discord was and still is a part of human history.Weren't christians basically fed by pagans to lions in old Rome?

#62 Posted by

Jesse Lynch
Mar 13, 2010 3:22 pm CET

As a Pagan, I find St. Patrick's Day very offensive, because of his role in eradicating old religions in Ireland and forcing everyone to convert to Christianity. There were never any snakes in Ireland. The legend taught to children in the U.S. and elsewhere about how St. Patrick "chased the snakes out of Ireland" actually refers to the Druids, symbolized by the snake. People ought to learn more about this brutal period in history.

#63 Posted by

John Kuba
Unregistered user
Mar 12, 2010 10:25 am CET

I do hope that people will remember that March 19th is St. Joseph's Day .And he is the patron saint of Czech's, Italian and others.....drink Red Beer !!!