Editorial
BEING PAGAN IN A NON PAGAN SOCIETY
By Christopher Blackwell

Being a minority religious person in our society can be a bit scary and some worry what would happen if others found out. Well, suppose they did? It might just depend onwhat else you’re known for in your community.

Being the stranger, the unknown quantity, can make you the one people distrust and you can’t get trust or friendship if you hide out. So whether you are openly Wiccan, Pagan or Heathen, or still within the broom closet, you need to be part of your local society in order to have friends and allies, to build bridges and to build trust.

On our new e-list we got into a discussion about what we do in our society. I had mentioned that I write letters to the editor of my local paper. I may write on Wiccan subjects, such as the quest for the pentacle for Wiccan veteran headstones from the VA. But I also write about the war in Iraq, the rights of a lone demonstrator at a local National Guard ‘welcome to the community’ picnic, and the political scandals in Washington. I speak out on the things that are important to me and become known for reasoned argument.

People in town that thank me for writing the letters because while they believe much the same they are afraid to be quite so outspoken as they live and run businesses in the small town, whereas I live a few miles out.

But if all people read in their newspapers is what the extremists say they could get the idea that the noisiest extreme people are the majority. If we are to keep freedom of speech and thought alive, someone better speak up for the other sides. Depending on the subject I use the label that makes the most sense, Wiccan on Wiccan matters, or as a Marine Vietnam veteran, or concerned citizen or even business person.

Steve, our AREN president, does it his way. He works on local community committees in his part of the Bible Belt. He volunteers to work with underprivileged kids, and the local ministers do not run off when he offers, though he is openly Pagan. He takes part in local fraternal organizations and is sometimes asked to take leadership roles in them.

Steve said, “I have maintained for years, if we present ourselves to the mainstream community as being mainstream and not weird or outlandish in dress and/or mannerisms we are accepted at face value. If we go about our lives in normal everyday fashion, don't get up in people’s faces about the fact we are of a different religious orientation and politely answer questions when asked, people don't even think about who, what or how we worship.”

Bill, AREN’s vice president, isn’t quite as open as Steven, but still takes part in his rural Bible Belt community. Neither does he hide being Pagan. He dresses like most of the people in his area -- jeans and no ties. He works actively in three different chambers in his area, on several eco-tourism committees works as a webmaster for several businesses as well.

Bill said, “This all means that when people do find out why I don't go to one of the many local Baptist churches they already know I'm an OK guy. This is how we will become accepted more and more in the future, not by being outlandish and making lots of noise.”

Yes sometimes discrimination can still come your way as it did for Darla, AREN’s prison ministry leader. Just a simple bumper sticker in her case brought unwanted attention from her town council. In her case that became quite a long fight, all the way to the Supreme Court. But she did most of the legal research for her own case and has become known as a good paralegal assistant to several lawyers.

So in or out of the closet take part in your community. Use whatever talent and resources you have. Become known for those talents, for being willing to help, for the quality of your work. Being part of your community makes you less of a stranger. You not only may help yourself, but you help the rest of us as well.

So with whatever abilities and resources you have, do whatever you are capable of doing. Don't worry about what you can't do. No guilt is needed. Just focus on what you can do and do what you can. Pagan people doing only what they can in their spare time can change history and move us all ahead as a community.