Pagan Global Culture
Religioscope has an interview with modern Pagan and head of Circle Sanctuary Selena Fox up at their web site.
“I have seen Paganism grow from being very decentralized and even with a bit of anti-institutionalism early on which was part of that counter-cultural trappings — to a world religion with institutions, with sacred land, with participation in interreligious, international and local gatherings. I also have seen equal rights for Pagans and Pagan religion emerging not only in the United States but other parts of the world Paganism is continuing to grow in numbers and diversity. It is increasingly getting respect and being acknowledged as being the world religion it is…I think one of the most exciting trends is that Pagans from around the world are coming together and are identifying ourselves as part of a global Pagan culture. We are a global people and we’re meeting each other. We’re sharing rituals together.”
The whole thing is well worth the read.
3 responses so far
Oh, do I hate it when people call paganism *a* religion. I do not practice the same faith a Wiccan does. I only practice Asatruar when I attend a Kindred gathering. And let’s not even start on the differences between Umbanda and Thelema. It turns me off so much that I can’t hear another word the person says. It belittles our diversity.
It’s amazing how many people still don’t believe that we’re pagans. I told a friend at work that I was a witch and he said “yeah right. where’s your broom?”. He honestly doesn’t believe that a modern, computer geek that is a Mac Addict and loyal Penny Arcade reader could be a heathen and a witch!
maybe if I dressed like Laurie Cabot….
I do dress like Laurie Cabot and people still try to tell me I don’t exist.
We HAVE to identify as Pagans if we want to survive. We may have nothing in common at all except for that label, but the dominant culture will happily bury us if we don’t have some cohesive identity. “If we don’t hang together we will surely hang separately.” It infuriates me when a group tries to form some kind of political movement that will benefit us and someone turns it into a Witch War – we accomplish nothing that way. The Radical Christians have sworn to “drive Paganism out of America” and you’d better believe they aren’t going to care that you only practice whatever you practice at a gathering. Diversity is great, but there’s strength in numbers.