Laura Misjak of the Flint Journal in Flint Michigan has written a nice simple article on a new Pagan parenting support group.

“The women are part of Lapeer-based Thread Creek Hearth, a group formed this year by local pagans. Members try to hold monthly get-togethers to discuss issues they and their children face. They’re also trying to recruit new members through word of mouth. “We just talk about normal parenting and how we can bring this faith to our children when we weren’t raised this way,” said Erin, who fears revealing her last name.”

My only issue with Misjak’s piece is that it falls into the trap of interviewing a Christian for a “balance” of views.

“Certainly, some other religions don’t see eye to eye with paganism. Foss Avenue Baptist Church Deacon Emerson Boles said in his faith, things are clear-cut. “From the Baptist perspective, we cut it straight across the borders: one lord, one faith, one baptism and one god and father of all,” he said. “It’s not like you dislike anybody or you criticize or ridicule anyone, but you definitely can’t share that view (of paganism).” The Rev. Susan Lidums, pastor of Our Risen Lord Lutheran Church in Burton, said in early Christian tradition, the word “pagan” shows up in church writings of people in the Greek and Roman world who did not adhere to faith in a single god.”

Note to reporters: you don’t have to interview Christians when doing a simple spotlight on a Pagan group. A journalistic reliance on conflict is a sign that your reporting needs to deepen a little. Sometimes it is just nice to read about Pagan mothers without having to read what Christians think of it.

Tags: Paganism