BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Pagan Kathie Lee Gifford's Nasty Bad Pagans comment

Hello folks,

I've been moving to a new house so didn't get a chance to post about this. The story about Kathie Lee Gifford's comment last week on the Today Show about "nasty bad pagans" has sparked quite a bit of controversy on the internet amongst Pagans.

I admit, I tend not to jump on the "poor us" bandwagon and I think it has been blown way out of proportion. I did want to present the issue for discussion though as many would disagree with me and think her comments disparage Pagans.

Here is the link to the controversial segment (the actual comment is about 5 minutes into the clip:
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I think people who are ignorant of a way of belief or faith do not really know how it hurts others when they have such comments. Something like this just needs to be put where it belongs - in a waste bin of thoughtless comments - and forgotten.

Some people who do not have knowledge of something often say rude things about the subject without thinking. Maybe this is just one of those things that will bring clarity and understanding of Paganism to many - so, it might be a good thing in disquise.

While I have never put much stock in KLG beyond a pretty talking head, there are some who do and her statement is just a little more tinder on the fire.

Living in the south, 'nasty bad pagans' are exactly what we are to some.

I think it was an ignorant statement made by someone who doesn't know anything about Pagans. I don't think she had any true mal intent, but she needs to become aware that Pagans are people who exist in today's world. They don't just belong to some long-forgotten era.

Apparently, she gave a blanket apology recently that went something like "for all those I offended, and you know who you are" which I believe is even more insulting than her original comment.

KLG is not what I consider an intelligent person in regards to people and their belief systems.

I wonder what her belief system is.?!?

KLG should be listed as the definition for the word "airhead".

I swear the woman has no brains, just fluff up there in her little skull. When you can sit on a show and make Regis Philbun roll his eyes and look like a Rhodes scholar - then you know you are in the bottom of the barrel.

Did any of you see the show on VH1 called "America's Most Smartest Model" hosted by Ben Stein? KLG could have given the little blonde Mandy Lynn a run for her money.

KLG has made several christian type cd's, including one of hymns. Which is absolutely of no concern to me and more power to her for having a religion in which she can find herself in. But saying nasty bad pagans is like saying money grubbing jews and rain dancing indians.

I am sure she'd be very surprised to find out just how many of her 'christian' customs are actually adopted from pagans. It's not like the Easter bunny and colored eggs have anything to do with the resurrection.

They don't? You don't watch enough South Park then...

Phyllis,
In answer to your question, "I wonder what beliefs hers (KLG) are?" Here s it is: She was Jewish, suddenly found Jesus, and became a born-again Christian.

Now I know a Catholic priest who knows I'm a Pagan and we are good friends. He doesn't have a problem with my beliefs and I have none with his. But he is intelligent, I never thought KLG was intelligent and I always thought her to be prejudiced.

Well in south park KLG isn't exactly an angel either

True. But, I was referring to the Easter episode, how the Easter Bunny tied into Christian beliefs. It was funny!!

I wonder if KLG knows that the nasty bad pagan is within her. Comments like that are revealing. She is so easy to read. She is trapped inside. Maybe some non-judgemental soul can show her a door to freedom or maybe a little bubble next to her that she can slip into??? There she can leave some baggage and replace that with some things taken from the "gift" bin that will benefit her more.

Quoted: "Apparently, she gave a blanket apology recently that went something like "for all those I offended, and you know who you are" which I believe is even more insulting than her original comment."

I totally agree. Obviously "her people" (whomever they may be) told her she'd better cough up an aplolgy and that's the best she could do. A book she read about people of over 2,000 years ago is the only "knowledge" about Pagans that she has and it is a bit more than a tad biased...not to mention mis-translated and many parts were changed or left out.

Quoted: "I swear the woman has no brains, just fluff up there in her little skull. When you can sit on a show and make Regis Philbin roll his eyes and look like a Rhodes scholar - then you know you are in the bottom of the barrel."

Again, I agree. I probably shouldn't air my views this way...but if I ever get my proverbial fifteen minutes of fame, it definitely won't be for biting my tongue. I do hope that her children grow to be more open-minded and more intelligent than she.

I loved that South Park LOL. Michelle's right. You when I saw this topic I was like please, who listen's to KLG...

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It is easy to tear into someone of differing beliefs but much more difficult to put a positive spin on a negative situation. I am so impressed with your attitude in this situation and I know that your 12 year old will grow up appreciating you and how you observe and deal with such obsticles. I have always thought that opening doors towards acceptance is healing and as we hold them open others will come through and we can all find our way to higher ground.