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When the Darkness Becomes Harmful
It cannot be denied Pagans like the "darker" side of life. Or, at least, they see it more clearly than most. This can be a good thing, in many ways, because accepting that darkness exists and is not intrinsically "evil" can make for a healthier person - body, mind and soul.
Misunderstanding of the darker elements of one's self can lead to harmful habits, and addictions. While some Pagans may justify such behavior with the latter half of the Wiccan Rede ("Do What Thou Wilt"), the first four words must take precedence ("An It Harm None"). Avoiding harm to the self is just as important as ensuring one does no harm to others or the environment.
Smoking, for instance, pollutes the air and pollutes the lungs. Those advertising photos of lung MRIs or CAT scans are no joke. What would otherwise be a fairly clear bodily organ becomes clogged and blackened from the chemicals in the tobacco. Why anyone would willingly inflict this upon himself is a puzzle, to be sure. When it comes to Pagans and their belief in self-responsibility, it becomes an even deeper enigma.
Addiction to other things can be harmful, too. It might not be such a bad thing to get drunk on a Saturday night, but when it extends into the week, and the daytime, and interferes with work or family life, or taking care of other responsibilities, the problem is clearly seen. The same with drug use. There are a number of books on the market which seem to support the recreational use of certain drugs by Pagans, both inside and outside the ritual setting. The fine line between recreational use and addiction is too often crossed, however. Consider that the Church of Satan did not approve of drug and alcohol use during its rituals, and their motto is "Indulgence instead of Abstinence"!
Overeating, addiction to sex, other compulsive disorders - all reflect a dark side of the self that has either been repressed too long or is still being denied. For Pagans, seeking treatment may be rather difficult, because there are few avenues where these beliefs and the lifestyle is understood and acceptable. Having one's own faith ridiculed as abnormal is not conducive to solving the other issues on a personal level. Worse, having others try to make one "see the light" or blame the Pagan path for the addiction (i.e. "If you followed Jesus, you wouldn't be an addict," or "You're being punished because you don't follow the true church") is utter nonsense. How many Christians, Jews and members of other mainstream religions participate in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings? There wouldn't even be such programs, if the majority religions didn't populate them! They have that "true faith", and still are addicts!
Hopefully, in time, Pagans will have access to more tolerant treatment options for their addictions. This will enable them to face those dark corners of themselves and balance them with the light in a healthy way. Perhaps Pagans will step up and start such programs for themselves and others, in an interfaith sense, where those who follow what are called "alternative paths" find welcome, assistance and the chance for growth.
After all, because Pagans more readily acknowledge the darkness within - and don't simply ignore it - they have a better chance to successfully dealing with it.
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