My Name Is Basel Ayyad, A 28-year-old Palestinian From Gaza. My Family Of Eight Was Forced To Flee Our

HelPol Discourse & Ableism

A more nuanced addition to this post - which I made on a low spoons day (if you're just interested in the ableism part then scroll to the bottom).

The Dunning-Kruger Effect

“The Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people with limited competence in a particular domain overestimate their abilities”

- Wikipedia

The Duning-Kruger Effect was first pointed out to me by another pagan practitioner - and in that context it was used to describe those who claim to know what is “right” or “wrong” for all practitioners within a given tradition.

This fellow practitioner (I can’t remember their name - this was at least 2 years ago) pointed out that those who are incredibly knowledgeable about a given tradition don’t tend to go around policing others practices.

Why?

Because being knowledgeable about any religious or spiritual tradition means recognizing how incredibly human made traditions are. They are loose - flexible - ever changing and ever evolving within both individual and community practice.

Now - that doesn’t mean “anything goes” within a tradition or religion, quite the opposite.

It instead means that the best way to create a cohesive tradition (or revive a cohesive tradition) is through working together as a community to discuss what is and isn’t valid praxis.

One individual (or a small group of individuals) speaking on behalf of an entire community is very rarely a good idea.

Bold “unpopular opinion” posts - telling others what is and isn’t valid praxis - is not only incredibly hubristic, but is also only going to lead to anger and infighting.

It is through conversation that we can get to the root of an issue and try to find consensus as a community.

As an example: I could make a post explaining my interpretation of, and feelings around, people worshipping Medusa. I could explain that I have negative feelings because this type of worship was not seen in antiquity. But then I could also make it clear that this is just my opinion - and that I’d be interested in hearing others points of view*

*some of those caught up in this controversy have done this, and have wrongly been demonized for it - while others have done the exact opposite, stating their opinion as law.

If someone makes a post similar to the example and you’re still going to be antagonistic or cruel - then just block that person. You’re going to save both them and yourself a lot of needless stress.

If someone makes a post that is actively inflammatory - you can do one of two things:

1. If you have the energy and bandwidth, you can engage with them in a discussion or civil debate.

2. If you don’t have the energy or bandwidth, or if OP is unwillingly to engage you in such talks, then just block them. Again - it will save you a lot of needless stress.

Lastly - we as Hellenic Polytheists need to be better about our ableism.

If there is something in our faith that is ableist (example: you must always stand with arms outstretched during ritual) then it shouldn’t be part of our faith.

Just because some people do not have any limitations on their physical mobility or mental energy - does not mean that the able-bodied way of doing things gets to be the default or “correct” way of practicing our faith.

I want to make a longer post on the ableism that is rampant in both the HelPol and wider Pagan communities - but for now I think that will suffice.

Askbox is open, as are DMs - The Temple is always open to community building, community discussion, and (civil) community debate.

Eirene - peace and farewell,

- Temple Hyacinthus

something in my soul shifted here

I saw a post yesterday saying that someone was surprised people read straight fanfic and it actually had me tweaking out. I ship mainly lesbian ships as I find them the most relatable and most comforting although winners do NOT love winning. I ship straight ships too and I feel like that's how fandom spaces started is the fact that you ship something that wasn't canon. You found two characters that made sense together. Idk just let people ship what they want as long as it's safe sound and consensual. That's my yap session for today.

Please, this is urgent and serious. 💔. Don't ignore my post. It concerns the lives of my children and family because of the war. 💔

I am Youssef from Gaza 🍉🇵🇸 I am married and have three children. Since the war started on October 7, my house was bombed while we were inside. I was injured and I need an urgent surgery on my finger that costs 500 pounds. My children were injured and our lives were destroyed. We were displaced more than 10 times. Each time we were displaced, it costs us more than 200 pounds. The transportation costs are expensive. Our tent was damaged due to the repeated displacement, weather factors and heat, which costs 300 pounds. 💔The sun and the matter did not stop there. Today there are no necessities of life such as food, medicine, and clean water to drink due to the siege and the closure of the crossings 😭😭 and the interruption of cooking gas, the price of a cylinder has become 300 pounds and a bag of flour 200 pounds. The price of vegetables has increased by 20 pounds per kilo and a carton of baby milk by 50 pounds. The price of children's clothes has increased and they are cut off. Please donate 30 pounds to save my life and the lives of my children. Asking for aid is not an easy matter. I ask for a small donation from each person. 25 pounds will save my children's lives from death in Gaza. Donate through the link in the bio🫂💚

gofundme.com

Donate to Youssef and his family need your support., organised by Kirsty Watson

I am kirsty, I am from England, I met Youssef through volunteer work with Ebon… Kirsty Watson needs your support for Youssef and his family

✅️Vetted by @gazavetters, my number verified on the list is ( #591 )✅️

My campaign was verified by

@90-ghost

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shame on all who participated in the movement of removing the T in lgbTqia+

Marsha P. Johnson was erased from the stonewall monument website, along with any other trans activists.

there would have been NO stonewall monument without Marsha P. Johnson.

i am speechless, but also furious. shame on you if you contributed to this.

# free 🇵🇸 palestina 🇵🇸

I am a mother from Gaza, living in harsh conditions due to the continuous shelling and powerful explosions. I have been forced to move from one place to another with my little daughter, Tia, who was born amidst this war. I need your help to buy a tent and supplies for her so we can be in a safe place. Please consider donating to support us in this difficult time. Help Tia; she deserves a better life. Thank you to everyone who offers their assistance! ❤️ #Gaza #ChildAid

To donate, click here. Your support is our lifeline.👇

gofundme.com

Donate to Help Sahar and Mohammed Build a Safe Home for Their Baby, organized by Jordan Brusso

Help Sahar and Mohammed Build a Safe Home for Their Baby Sa… Jordan Brusso needs your support for Help Sahar and Mohammed Build a Safe H

#Gaza # free Gaza

#palestina #save palestina

I lost everything... but I still hold on to hope ✨

My name is Mo'men, and I’m a young Palestinian who dreamed of a bright future after high school.

Instead of celebrating, I found myself running for my life, escaping bombs, destruction, and fear.😥

Our home was crushed into dust 🏚️. My brother lost his job. My school and my sister’s university turned into shelters for displaced families.

We fought for survival for six long months under bombs and siege, until we finally reached Egypt, carrying nothing but a few plastic bags... and a lot of broken dreams.💔

Today, we have no home, no income, no safe place to call our own.

My father is suffering with severe back pain and can’t work. Medical bills, daily expenses, even the hope of renting a small home—we simply can’t afford it anymore.🥺

But despite everything, I refuse to give up. I still dream of going to university, of rebuilding my life, of standing on my own feet and helping my family.

This is why I need your help.

Even a small donation—£10—could be the light we desperately need right now.🙏🏻🥺

It can help us rent a home, cover urgent medical expenses, and let me chase my dreams again.🙏🏻

Be one of the first to stand with us.

Be the reason hope lives on.

🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸

Please donate or share our story:

gofund.me/5cdd060e ❤️

🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸

Hey *hand on shoulder* you know that Greece, along with most of the balkan countries, has been under ottoman turkish rule for more than 400 years? You know that Greece today has many economic problems today, despite it's history being rich?

You know that Greece is very prone to forest fires and natural disasters?

Also, do you know that Greece, along with Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Montenegro... They are all protesting against corruption, and no one talked about it.

You talk about wanting to have temples to worship in modern day, but you don't care about the land that those temples would be built on?

Greece may be an Orthodox Christian country. But trust me, the gods are still very much living there. Their spirit is still there. Poseidon is still ruling the waves, Zeus is still watching over in the sky, Demeter is taking care of the crops.

All i am asking is... Spread awareness. I am saying this on behalf of my greek friend, firstly, who has complained to me about their issues not being heard. LEARN HISTORY. STUDY CURRENT WORLD EVENTS. SEND LOVE TO THE LAND OF GREECE, WHO HAS ENDURED GREAT HARDSHIPS.

The seeds of doubt sowed within him, until the roots of a tree branch and wrapped itself upon her ankles; stripping her away from him forevermore

haymitch seeing a bunny: "how could I possibly kill a creature that brings to mind my girl?" 🥺

snow seeing mockingjays: