Comments on: Make that Two Openly Pagan Elected Officials

By: The Wild Hunt » Introducing Pagan+Politics

The Wild Hunt » Introducing Pagan+Politics — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:02:04 +0000

[...] We have two openly Pagan elected officials currently serving in the United States of America, Democrat Jessica Orsini, Alderwoman, 3rd Ward, City of Centralia, Missouri, and Republican Dan Halloran, New York City Councilman for District 19. There were two openly Pagan [...]

By: The Wild Hunt » The UU Post-Theist City Councilman

The Wild Hunt » The UU Post-Theist City Councilman — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:34:42 +0000

[...] office despite local laws and prejudices, but also allows Pagan politicians like Dan Halloran and Jessica Orsini to do so as well. This right of freedom from a religious test for government office or employment [...]

By: Sasha

Sasha — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:33:55 +0000

DONUTS!!!!

By: BryonMorrigan

BryonMorrigan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:01:40 +0000

Yes, but remember too that it is largely because of those kids, and their enthusiasm about things like The Craft and Charmed, that Wicca and other forms of Paganism are now much more mainstream than ever.

Besides, while many of them certainly became "fluffies" or merely flirted with Paganism…some of them stayed and became serious. And frankly, the majority of Christians are even less educated about their own religion than the average "Teen Witch."

Civil rights are often, unfortunately, a numbers game.

By: Tomb

Tomb — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:58:22 +0000

All Hail Emperor Norton!

By: Tomb

Tomb — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:56:19 +0000

Well, I'm only 19.

By: Ananta Androscoggin

Ananta Androscoggin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:42:15 +0000

Just think back to how San Francisco felt about one of its residents, back in the 19th century — the self-styled Emperor of the United States.

Different kind of case, but certainly a matter of local community sentiment.

By: Snoozepossum

Snoozepossum — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:52:44 +0000

(bows with forehead to floor)

What she said.

By: lonespark

lonespark — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:22:33 +0000

Yes, I agree. There many pagans folks deeply involved in their communities as businesspeople, teachers, etc., etc. The local reputation and network is what generally makes the difference, but there's the potential for outside (or local) agitators to rile up folks who normally don't even care about local elections, through churches or the media…

By: Pitch313

Pitch313 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:10:01 +0000

I think that what's likely to be important in these and other possible elections is not so much that a particular candidate is "Pagan." so much as a particular candidate can address local issues and circumstances in relation to the local electorate. Many of these "national media" hot buttons–such as "Paganism"–may turn out to be a wash in a given locality. Where the "Pagan" candidate may also be a familiar local native or long time resident.

I suspect that "outside" media and/or political intrusions–not local intolerance–is what's likely to push "Pagan" candidates out of local elections or local offices. This can turn an "eccentricity" quietly accepted by locals into a matter of national mockery that locals cannot accept.