Warrior Pagans

I opened up a topic at one of the message boards where I post regularly about what constituted a "warrior pagan" in modern society. There were a variety of answers, but, to my mind the best answer came from another message board, where someone's apologised for airing their opinion.

Littleraven picked up on this and wrote the following:

"... the 'humbleness' that pervades neo-paganism/neo-Druidry is in many ways part of the problem at hand. It's a culture of
apologetics that actually dishonours the warrior ancestors that inspire us
so.

Basically, if you've got something to say, say it. It's our duty as part of the 'tribe' to listen to it. We may think it's crap, and we'll tell each other so. We may be slighted, even upset, but we know that we've been told it in a sense of honour. It's for everyone's benefit to hear the argument, contribute if they wish and come to terms with the outcome.

Outcomes that are not always to our liking, but for the
best of *all* of us. "

So, perhaps being a warrior pagan today means speaking up for yourself, not apologising for so doing, allowing others to listen, absorb and respond and, if the need arises, to defend your position, but accept the outcome as dictated by the particular group you are addressing. You may not agree with the outcome, but so long as you have indicated your dissatisfaction politely and are still prepared to uphold said outcome, you are acting as a warrior and with honour.

Seems right to me. I'm not sure that is all there is to it, but I've yet to find any better definition for a warrior pagan than the one inadvertently provided by Littleraven at Caer Feddwyd.