Hi,
Im doing a project for college on "the influence of supernatural stereotypes over the general perception of pagans today" (long winded i know). Just looking for any opinions on what every1 thinks or any advice on carrying out a fair project.
Thanx xxx

Well the first thing you need to do, is to define what is meant by "supernatural" does it mean things like ghosts, astral projection, telepathy, telekinesis, magic, gods and goddess... the use of the word "supernatural" covers an incredibly huge amount of ground . Next I think you need to question if there is sterotyping,and exactly what form sterotyping takes.. and of course you need to define those "general preceptions" what are they exaclty? Next you need to question if the question itself is from a non pagan view point or a pagan view point - i.e. you need to examine your own bias as a pagan and your own viewpoints.

This potentially could be a great essay, but similarly, youcould get bogged down int rying to examine too much, so maybe you need to choose a few examples of "general perceptions" based around certain "supernatural" things/events and explain concisely why you've done this.

Hope that helps a wee bit.

Yeah, what Very said

You will find a lot of folks on here willing to help out and discuss and give opinions, but ye need to be a tad more specific, hun

Ohhh, and maybe Molly, if you see Queenie online pick her brains, she's doing a degree in English at the moment and is a whizz at this writing stuff! She might be able to give you some pointers too for answering the question and how to go about researching it!

When i say "supernatural stereotypes" i mean as in the idea that pops in to most people heads when asked about paganism. Things like; having black hats and warts, worshipping satan and commiting murderous sacrafice. I don't mean any offence by saying any1 here is like this but my teacher thinks that this would be the best area to examine as in a questionairre i handed out came back with these perceptions as the most commonest.

Could ya maybe post the questionnaire and the results ? ta.

The Questionnairre........

1,What religion are you?
2,What are the first things that come ino your mind when the word "pagan" is said?
3, Do you have a negative, positive or indifferent opinion on "pagans" in general?
4, Do you have this same perception about other religions that are not your own?
5, If not do you think this is because of stereotypes you have grown up with (if any)?
6, Do you know any "pagans"?

All these questions wern't straight forward yes or no every1 was allowed to explain and comment. but due to the variety of answeres i cant write em all down.

Up till now i have asked approx 50 people. On average roughly 95% of these refered to the sterotypes i listed in my earlier post. 70% of the people were christians or some sort of variation i.e methodist. 30% followed no specific religion. Nobody knew any pagans other than myself, and had and indifferent view to what they thought of pagans as they had a lack of knowledge regading them except for halloweeny traditions.

Excllent, thanks for that Molly. Will go and have a good think and get back to you with a considered reply

The Questionnairre.......

1,What religion are you?
2,What are the first things that come ino your mind when the word "pagan" is said?
3, Do you have a negative, positive or indifferent opinion on "pagans" in general?
4, Do you have this same perception about other religions that are not your own?
5, If not do you think this is because of stereotypes you have grown up with (if any)?
6, Do you know any "pagans
********************************************************************

With all do respect, these questions appear at first sight as being leading.

For example, number 3, Do you have a negative or positive or indifferent opinion on pagans in general. You are already assuming that people have negative, positive or indifferent feeling of pagans. Maybe the question should be simply be what are your view of pagans. You may get a more detailed answer.

Instead of asking: Do have this same perception about other religions not your own, ask what are your feelings about other beliefs that are not of your religious beliefs.

Do you think your ideas on other religions are the result of sterotypes or what you were taught?

Add another question. What have you been taught about paganism.

These type of questions may result in a more thoughtful response on the part of the respondents and could give more detailed results or a better idea where and why respondents believe as they do.

Just my thoughts on the subject. I don't mean to be critical.

I'd agree with Gypsi there. The questions do seem to be suggesting the answers a bit.