The SCA to me is about...
I wish to talk about why I became a Templar.
It's because many people in the SCA are either Ignorant or apathetic on the middle ages. Let's face it Pagans never were open about their faith or they would be smoked on a stake. (Wiccan shish'kabob anyone?) Also look at all gentry....Where are the peasants? Where is the Church? Priests? Nuns? Monks? ok, there are some grasshopper but most of them are buddists. (not quite the period feel of the middle ages). To recreate the best of the middle ages we can't ignore the basis of chivilry,honor and indeed ...western civilization.... The Holy Church.
Let's look at the Tuchuks, they are Sci-fi barbarians from the "Gor" series of sexplotation novels...it's their right to play these characters but its not what the SCA is about and they have their own group. They have Influenced others in a negative manner though...
Pagans
This is most often a very silly persona within the SCA (as most play it not all). The facts are there is little to no record on (Period) pagan practices, as they predate the SCA timeline and Prelitterate people don't leave historical records. Its almost comedy that open "Pagans" would not be burned at the stake!!! No true pagan would be open in their faith in medieval times, they would be secretive about it! If they were not they would be Insane, or burning...
If someone wants to have a Serious persona thats a pagan they must avoid lazy "historical tweaking" and keep it secret as a Real Pagan would have...at least in front of Christains. I know it's hard but its worth it and you will have a richer persona from it.
Heretics I love the idea of Heretics, be them Cathars or whatever. They unlike pagans are covered in depth within history, and are Period. Again most would keep it secret as a Heretic burns as fast as a Pagan. This is a serious persona for a more advanced medievalist to play, but research is a must...
Freemasons Sorry your not really Templars, and the True Templars would be angered and embarassed by your (false) claims.I say this only because of all the "I'm a real Templar" I meet.
Templars were vowed to obey the Pope and to chastity amoung other vows.
If a Templar broke his vows he would no longer be a Templar so it's silly to make obvious false claims.
The Pope disolved the Order. Freemasons are as much Templars as pork eating buddists are Jews. A Templar lives by the Rule written by Bernard of Clairvaux and is ruled by the pope. He only wears the clothing offered by his order and keeps no personal objects of his own. If you don't live like that then your a wannbe, not a Templar.
I don't care if your social club wants to call themselves Templars, thats fine but understand that its only a secular claim with no truth. I can say I'm the Czar of russia and grand pope to China but so what.
Please don't come up to me at a event saying your a real Templar, It will make me think you know very little of the Order.
But If you want to come as Close to a Real Templar as one can today join us but leave your Mundane interests home, act in Persona...Medieval not Mundane.
I mean no disrespect to freemasons, as I know many do good works in their communities, But those who claim to be Templars in real life show great disrespect to the Templar Order and the Catholic Church they served.
Elves? People wearing plastic spock ears have no place in the SCA. This is D&D silliness that all should react to as "My lord, what amusing little things you have on your ears, what reason do you wear them?" Inform them that you can plainly see they are fake and that only "peasants and fools believe in Elves"...Then walk away muttering "They must be daft, how sad..." These people make the SCA look like a joke,and do great harm to it.
Vampires Just as above...
Conanites Ugh!!! me Barbarian...smash. Good grief, You see these non-medieval B-grade fantasy extras more and more. With the toy bastard sword on their back (That no warrior would use)and the bunnyfur costume. What can I say....but Ugh!!
Yes the SCA still needs a way to go but we are getting there. Groups like MSR and others are taking the lead in Serious Medievalism. Most Kingdoms have been getting more medieval and most of the above types are only seen in wars like Pennsic... I'm in persona, and want everyone to be in persona as well...so if you see something unmedieval ..act that way, in the end you help them out.
These are my opinions, Brother Helmut and reflect not on my Order,Kingdom or the SCA.
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