An overview of my perspective on the hot button of "fluffy bunny."
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My definition of "fluffy" is "willfully ignorant." This excludes the newbies who just don't have much information; inexperienced seekers are not automatically "fluffy." Nor are eclectics.
"Fluffy bunnies" are the folks, newbie or not, who choose to ignore facts and other useful information in lieu of strictly "Wicca is what *I* want it to be," etc. I believe that being "fluffy" is not knowing the wrong thing, but refusing to learn or grow beyond initial information.
Fluffies are the ones that stick to misconceptions even when they come across contradictory evidence, and who don't think they ever need to expand their knowledge outside of the one/few book(s) they first read. Those who insist on staying in "persecution mode" despite historical evidence to the contrary.
This also includes "one-book wonders" who are now self-declared High Priest/esses and those who think the "darker side" of things is evil and scream "harm none" at you whilst beating you over the head at the same time; oftentime, just because you don't follow the Rede to the letter.
They believe that "perfect love and trust" is literal and any sort of unpleasantness, critical thinking or challenge to their ideas are personal attacks and/or elitist.
A lot of people think the term itself is elitist, conveying a superior attitude over newbies. Oh, well. I use it in the context above, and feel no hesitation whatsoever in applying it when appropriate.
Here's an awesome overview from another perspective.
___________
My definition of "fluffy" is "willfully ignorant." This excludes the newbies who just don't have much information; inexperienced seekers are not automatically "fluffy." Nor are eclectics.
"Fluffy bunnies" are the folks, newbie or not, who choose to ignore facts and other useful information in lieu of strictly "Wicca is what *I* want it to be," etc. I believe that being "fluffy" is not knowing the wrong thing, but refusing to learn or grow beyond initial information.
Fluffies are the ones that stick to misconceptions even when they come across contradictory evidence, and who don't think they ever need to expand their knowledge outside of the one/few book(s) they first read. Those who insist on staying in "persecution mode" despite historical evidence to the contrary.
This also includes "one-book wonders" who are now self-declared High Priest/esses and those who think the "darker side" of things is evil and scream "harm none" at you whilst beating you over the head at the same time; oftentime, just because you don't follow the Rede to the letter.
They believe that "perfect love and trust" is literal and any sort of unpleasantness, critical thinking or challenge to their ideas are personal attacks and/or elitist.
A lot of people think the term itself is elitist, conveying a superior attitude over newbies. Oh, well. I use it in the context above, and feel no hesitation whatsoever in applying it when appropriate.
Here's an awesome overview from another perspective.