Articles written by Tabitha Hergest

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About me - Tabitha Hergest

Generally, I am a writer - this is what I do, it's what I'm good at - or one of the things I'm good at, at least. I write poetry, essays, stories, and increasingly, musicals; in short, if it comes in words, I'll do it, so long as it isn't legalese or anything

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Religion & Spirituality > Comparative Religion Why can't atheists and Christians just get along with each other?: 2 of 27
There is a story about a tribe of people who lived many thousands of years ago, who lived in peace knowing the protection of the Earth Mother. Because they lived in peace, and had no concept of violence from without, this tribe built no defences, seeing no need for them. They kept cows for meat, hide and milk, and sheep for m... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Racism Can't African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, etc., just be called Americans?: 2 of 27
Because I live and work in Britain, I shall answer in a British context. The problem is exactly the same, because here we have Black-British, Asian-British and all manner of other racial classifications.The reason it can't happen is because it is the people themselves who call themselves by the relevant classification - aided... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Pagan & Earth-Based Religions What is a Pagan: 2 of 23
The world is filled with concepts to which have been appended labels which don't quite fit, but which are nevertheless useful as a reference pointer for the intellectually lazy. "Kelt", or more popularly, celt, is one; the ancient tribes of the British Isles never referred to themselves thus, but it was thought politic to use... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Climate Change Is global warming a hoax?: 4 of 40

Firstly, I know and understand that global warming is happening. Statistically, given that the last few years' summers have been sweltering cannot be ignored and, notwithstanding the "lies, damned lies and statistics" truism, the fact of my discomfiture during those times I would be foolish to ignore.Why, then, am I coming do... More..
Style & Beauty > Makeup Blue eyeshadow: Is it a fashion faux pas: 1 of 10
What an unnatural colour is blue! It occurs rarely in nature, save for the petals of certain flowers and the blue of the sky, and even the latter is a trick of the light. If you have blue food on your plate, chances are it will end up in the bin, for blue is also the colour of mold. And while 'tis true a Stilton with a blu... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Wicca & Witchcraft Wicca: It's just not deep enough: 5 of 43
The shallows of Wicca are entirely suitable for some people. But personally, I prefer the profound depths of Cunning Craft..That's not to say it isn't a valid path if you're into that sort of thing; however, I will issue the caveat that "that sort of thing" usually also entails the sort of lunatic fringe which delights in flu... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in the UK Predicting whether Labour will win the next election: 3 of 25
We're doomed!At least that seems to be the opinion of those pundits struggling to see a way through the current economic difficulties. Whether we plump for the famed, though scant-in-evidence, intellect of "Flash Gordon" Brown, saviour of the universe, or Mayonnaise Cameron (rich, thick and oily - with apologies to Terry Prat... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Babies (Other) Should people be allowed to choose their baby's sex?: 7 of 58
Back in the days of man's infancy (and indeed, to this day in many primitive cultures), it was regarded as lucky to have male progeny - for the sake of economic survival. Boys, it was said, could work, but girls were burdensome, requiring to be fed and supplied with dowries when they wed. In some cases girls were left to star... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Adolescence Does competition help or hurt young people?: 8 of 65
The playing-fields of childhood are about building - building the citizens of tomorrow, building tomorrow's warriors and tomorrows winners; for like it or like it not, life - even in the most outwardly egalitarian and artificial of institutions - is a battlefield. It may not feel like a competition when person x is passing th... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Why some people cannot succeed: 9 of 66
Nothing succeeds like success. We all know the truism - but do we know what lies behind it? What is that ephemeral, vague and elusive thing called success? To some people, it's counted on the number of Aston Martins in the garage. But is that really, deep down, success? There are, surely, none of us who begrudge the frui... More..