Kemeticism is open to people of all cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, etc. with no exceptions. There has been a lot of dirt slung around, some of it unfortunately by our own people, some of which by hateful onlookers, which can serve to reinforce the belief that some people may not be welcome here.
Not so. We talk all the time about how Kemeticism is not a closed religion and thus is not culturally appropriative. It comes up every few months in a flurry of angry Tumblr posts, hateful asks, and serious blog articles, but we don’t talk often enough about just how open it is. Not just to random white kids, but to everyone.
Jewish people. People of color. Queer people. Nonbinary people. Other minorities…and non-minorities.
We want you.
We need you.
Your voices are as welcome and as invited into the light of Netjer and the glory of ma’at as any of those already here, and it isn’t because it ‘doesn’t matter’ what else you may be or where you may come from. It absolutely matters, because every unique, individual voice and each new story, lifestyle, belief, and culture that adds itself to Kemeticism is an educational boon to the rest of us.
We need your voices. Not just on Tumblr to help make the tags a safer and more inclusive place, but in general, because that’s what ma’at is all about.
© @heqaiitw
There are dark sides in kemeticism, however, …
There are great, understanding and supportive people of kemetic religion;
But there are, and always have been, people of the same religion who were unfair to brethren - in - faith.
I have recently re-read the demotic pleas to Thoth, how priests and attendants of sacred ibis farms were complaining about their colleagues being unfair and unjust… (and also neglecting the sacred animals).
They were writing letters and putting them into ibis mummy wrappings, because their voices were not heard, because their voices were silenced, and they had no one but Djehuty to hear their pleas and remove their obstacles.
I have also re-read the story of priestly family of Peteise (There is also a movie about them, in the series “Ancient Egyptians” - “Murder in the Temple”), and this story generally tells how priests of Amun in one temple murdered teenage sons of another priest because they were envious of their share in the temple income.
They killed the youths because of envy, and let their bodies to lie in the temple for several days…
Being a kemetic or identifying as one doesn’t automatically make a person to become full of ma’at and justified and shining in rainbow halos. And your old injures and wounds don’t magically heal in one moment. Even for the Netjeru it takes time to heal you. Even the Wounded Eye restores in 15 days.
Walking on the path of ma’at sometimes is like walking on sharp edges.
And sometimes you are criticized for not being devoted enough;
And sometimes someone takes offense if you look like being “too much” devoted….
And sometimes there are dark moments when you feel that no one but Netjer can hear your voice.
But of course the Maat prevails. And every small word of support, all the good wishes count, all prayer requests count, all good vibes count.
Unfortunately, it involves people. And anytime people are involved there are always going to be some who abuse power or treat others badly for their own glory. There were certainly ancient priests who stole.
On the positive side, I like that there’s no requirement that anyone pass some sort of Kemetic test to get into the afterlife- it’s based on your behavior.
“ Your voices are as welcome and as invited into the light of Netjer and the glory of ma’at as any of those already here, and it isn’t because it ‘doesn’t matter’ what else you may be or where you may come from. It absolutely matters, because every unique, individual voice and each new story, lifestyle, belief, and culture that adds itself to Kemeticism is an educational boon to the rest of us. “ Very well said, IMO.
turnnoffyourmind
blakekathryn
theartofmadeline
ellievsbear
yousharknotpass
