Where Should We Stand On Otherkin?
Modern Paganism is a pretty eclectic religious grouping. Our family of faiths encompass Celtic Reconstructionists, Asatru, modern Druids, Goddess worshippers, Radical Faeries, Discordians, and Starhawk’s Reclaiming tradition. Often arguments and debate rages over who is and isn’t included under the “Pagan” (or “Heathen”) tag. Some of the more conservative elements often try to separate (or fight against) from what they see as an increasingly “fluffy” and eclectic mainstream in modern Paganism.
This tension over the issue of inclusion has increased as segments of youth/underground culture have adopted Pagan (or Pagan-influenced) belief systems. Gothic/Dark Paganism, Vampirism, Burners, Setians/Religious Satanists, members of the magickal “Ultraculture”, and the rise of teen Witches have all given certain segments of the better-established modern Pagan community the vapors. One of the groups that has evoked quite a bit of debate, mockery, and soul-searching over inclusion recently has been the Otherkin.
This week The Witches Voice (one of the main Internet hubs for online Paganism) published its first essay by a self-proclaimed Otherkin.
“Otherkin are a pretty controversial group of people, even within the relatively tolerant realms of NeoPaganism. While we live within the same world as everyone else, working and/or going to school, building and maintaining a variety of relationships, paying the bills, and otherwise leading completely mundane existences, we have other aspects to our personal realities that aren’t quite so everyday. We know/believe that there’s something not quite human about us and we can spend this entire lifetime figuring out just who we’ve been and who we are now.
Some identify as nonhuman, relatively humanoid species such as elves and faeries; others believe there is something of the dragon, gryphon or sea serpent about them; and still others identify strongly with animals native to this plane, well beyond the totemic bond. Yes, it can be a bit of a brain-breaker to try to resolve the conflict between what’s commonly divided into “fantasy” and “reality.” That’s why most ‘kin spend time trying to figure out just why it is we feel that we’re different in a such a. er. different manner.”
The ‘kin frequent several communities on LJ, and an Internet hub of sorts. They also frequent several “tolerant” places on the Internet including Pagan communities. This growing overlap between Otherkin and modern Pagans has produced some strong emotions.
“So, at what point, if any, if ever, will the Pagan community finally put its collective foot down? At what point will we finally have the guts to say, “Whatever you are is ok. Whatever your delusion is is fine with us. But it isn’t what we are, take your particular flavor of nutty and get it the heck out of our religion.” In short, whatever your particular brand of psychosis may be is fine, but stop pretending it has anything to do with this religion. You’re making the rest of us look stupid.” – shadowkat01
This tension over Otherkin points to a growing concern among modern Pagans. How inclusive should we be? Is there a limit? If not should there be? Should we even be paying attention to groups like this, when we haven’t settled relations between larger established groups like eclectic Wiccans and various reconstructionist faiths.
I’m sure most modern Pagans would adopt an ignore, live and let live attitude, but as our faith(s) grow and gain the spotlight we know that it is “interesting” cases that get attention by the media. Journalists have a hard time writing stories about “normal religion”. So we get a lot of coverage of the black-clad flamboyant Salem Witches, and not so much of the average practitioner living in the midwest raising a family. Which would a reporter on a deadline prefer? A story concentrating on a local Heathen group throwing a charity event or a profile of someone who thinks they are a dragon?
This points to the need for our community to become even more media-savvy and aware of who is covering the religion-beat locally and nationally. If they want to do a story on Otherkin, fine, but we want to make sure they have the proper context and understanding of that movement within the larger spectrum of modern Pagan belief. Sadly most of the Pagan groups don’t seem to have the time, energy, or money, to monitor and respond, but as we continue to grow a pan-Pagan media response group may be essential. What do you think? I would love to hear your comments on tolerance, groups like the Otherkin, and our relationship with the media.
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