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| Author: Posted: Nov. 17, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 3,890,591 |
Question of the Week: 78 - 9/22/2002 Would You Take Part in a Public Event or Protest AS a Pagan? Many Pagans or Heathens have always been a little leery about taking part in public events, protests or in signing their real names to letters or petitions. Given the current climate in the United States and across the world since 9/11, are you more or less inclined to be open about your spiritual beliefs or religion than you once were? Are you more fearful of reprisals or discrimination? Do you think that you would be placed on a surveillance list if you participated in public events or signed petitions with your legal name? Are you more cautious than you may have been before? Or have the events emboldened you to take a more public stance? What’s the current status of YOUR broom closet? |
| Reponses: There are 268 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| Learn About It First, Then Come Talk To Me. | Sep 28th. at 12:07:12 pm EDT |
| Beverly Strano (New Jersey) | Age: 42 - Email |
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It is sad that even in the 21st century, Pagans, gay individuals, people of color, and anyone else who doesn't belong to the masses have to confront discrimination and prejudice. As a former Christian, becoming a Pagan is the most spiritually fulfilling thing I've ever done. I'm proud, I'm happy, and I want to tell the world, however........ Yes, I will hide the pentacle I wear around my neck when I go on a job interview. Yes, I am afraid of reprisals and discrimination. but .... I am open about my spiritual path (once I get to know a person). I would participate in public events and sign petitions with my legal name. I believe the current young generation is more tolerant and open minded about all kinds of issues. They also seem to be more inclined to express their individuality than generations before. I believe that when this generation becomes the "controlling" generation, Pagans will be more accepted and understood. My comment to anyone who has something negative to say about the Pagan Religion: *** "Read a book!" *** |
| I'M PROUD! | Sep 28th. at 11:34:31 am EDT |
| Mackenzie (Maine) | Age: 17 - Email |
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Of course i would. I live in a very christian town in New England, and i think more voices and religoius views sould be heard. I am very very proud of my choice of the path and i would love to tell people that! |
| I Have Become A Poster Child....... | Sep 28th. at 9:06:01 am EDT |
| Cindy McDonald (Michigan, lower left in the palm print!) | Age: 40 - Email |
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for any view or belief that I have! I would attend any function that needed my support that I believe in. I am way out of the closet. I wear my pentacle proudly, and now there are many in my community who also wear theirs now as well! So far there have been no terribly negative things said to me or any of my brothers and sisters of our pagan/wiccan community. Blessings to all out there! Cindy |
| Of Course I Would! | Sep 28th. at 2:52:19 am EDT |
| Dion-Isis (Manhattan Beach, CA) | Age: 46 - Email |
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I am completely out of the broom closet and intend to stay that way. Frankly, I wish I knew more pagans who were interested in political activism. If anyone knows of such a group in the greater Los Angeles area, I'd like to know about it. I am also looking for a Yahoo group on the same subject. |
| Proud Of Course | Sep 28th. at 2:23:50 am EDT |
| SilverMoon (Idaho) | Age: 20 - Email |
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I would happily be an open Witch at an event. |
| Definitely YES! | Sep 28th. at 2:22:31 am EDT |
| Katy (Los Angeles, CA) | Age: 22 - Email |
|
I would definitely protest as a pagan. If 9/11 has anything to do with this, at least for me, it's only that I think people need to *know*. The attacks were made by ignorant, bigoted people, and if America responds in kind, then nothing is solved. We're best off knowing what people are about, instead of just assuming that anyone who's different is an enemy. |
| Great Gaia Yes! | Sep 28th. at 2:12:41 am EDT |
| Rilluin Stormrider (Carlsbad, CA, USA) | Age: 17 - Email |
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I would gladly protest in defense of myself and my fellow pagans. As for the repercussions, so what? Nothing truly worth fighting for (I do not mean violence, just struggle of any kind) came without sacrifice. |
| Totally Would | Sep 28th. at 1:02:53 am EDT |
| Cheryl (Washington, USA) | Age: 15 - Email |
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I would deffinitly participate in a public event or protest as a Pagan. |
| I Would Take Part | Sep 28th. at 12:16:24 am EDT |
| Joan (Pittsburgh) | Age: 19 - Email |
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I see no prolem in standing up for what you believe in it is our given right as Amerians, speech and any religion. This es include Paganism. We shouldnt be scared to say I am because if we are t sets us back in time, in a similar time to the witch hunts, where people misjudge us for what they think they know. It should be brought across to the world that we are who hey think we are. |
| I Fear Not. | Sep 28th. at 12:13:12 am EDT |
| Emmie Robinson (Oklahoma) | Age: 23 - Email |
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I don't think fearing others could ever help a situation. We are much too clever to fall victim that often to true injury or attack. What I wonder is if this might be a non-confrontational attitude, verging on repression, and may work against us eventually. It seems the spirit of our country is to fight for our rights. Instead, could we simply claim them? It's not as if we must share a limited ammount of freedom. Each person, and each religion should consider itself set with as much breathing space as needed. 9-11 has tested the root of our definition of liberty - I just hope our hate, our woes, our grief doesn't cause a civil mutiny - that may effect Christian, and Muslim, Wiccan, and Jew alike. |
| Pagan Priest And Local U.S. National Guardsman (TN.) | Sep 27th. at 11:59:50 pm EDT |
| Duane Taylor (Red Bank) | Age: 36 - Email |
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I plan to take part in the festivities of the local PNO's groups in my area and I've hosted events even though not currently in coven / circle. I'm proud but, not very loud though when the occasion calls for it I speak for myself and try not to generalize to others on behalf of all Pagans or Witches. I intend to directly answer any honest questions put to me that are intended to assist an individual in learning to appreciate (or @ least tolerate) the diversity of the many Pagan faiths. There are times that I believe I would stand forth and participate in political events that called for demonstration but, that time has not come so as yet, my mettle is untested. There are many ways to be heard and responded to in a positive manner and I believe those methods should always be used first. |
| Why Not? | Sep 27th. at 11:23:45 pm EDT |
| Carrie (TX) | Age: 22 - Email |
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Of course I would!!!! I am very proud of my beliefs. I get a lot of crap where I work about it but it doesn't bother me to tell them my point of view or pretty much piss them off because I don't have the same beliefs as them (don't ya just hate closed-minded people?). |
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