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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 19984
[Pagan]
Date Posted:
9/3/2008
4:37:48 pm EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 4,863
RSS: 17,190
Comments: 6
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MU Garners Attention Over Pagan Recognition
Author: Justin Hawthorne Source: Marshall Parthenon
Title: MU GARNERS ATTENTION OVER PAGAN RECOGNITION
Marshall University's recognition of Paganism has garnered media attention on a national level and abroad.
Paganism is a religious movement that consists of many different religions such as Wicca, the mystical traditions of Kabbalism, Native American shamanistic traditions and religions from the African Diaspora like Voodoo. Last year, Marshall recognized pagan holidays as a reason for excused absences, producing a great deal of interest.
"I conducted a search a few weeks after the articles hit and found that while there was some small negative response, the overwhelming response was very positive from people of all religions and none," said Marty Laubach, professor of sociology and faculty advisor to the Marshall University Pagan Association said. "The story was picked up internationally. It was seen as an example of American openness and religious pluralism."
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Community Thoughts: There are 6 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Nothing Wrong | Sep 4th. at 12:11:36 pm EDT
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Dynnys Derwydd (Lubbock, Texas) - Email Me
Nope, nothing wrong with this article, except the writer throwing "Kabbalism" into the Pagan mixture, though there are more than a few of us who study and practice the Qabalah (my spelling) .
While many universities have Pagan organizations, most still don't recognize the Pagan holidays and won't give excused absences for such. Therefore MU is taking a true step forward in the recognition of various Pagan traditions as true and succinct religions.
honi soit qui mal y pense,
Dynnys Derwydd
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| Throwing "stupid" Like A Boomerang | Sep 4th. at 10:28:18 am EDT
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Snoozepossum (Mooresville, North Carolina) - Email Me
In considering the possibility of being written off as backward and superstitious, Laubach is correct in his observation about stereotypes and losing credibility with some academics. What most of us recognize as spirit interaction or harmonic energy application, many science professionals (including psychologists) still see as ignorant superstition or delusion that needs to be overcome. Yep, I think that jokes about West Virginia being backassward hickville are lame, but my thinking so does not make them disappear from the earth overnight.
That doesn't mean you should alter your belief system or practice to accommodate them; their ethnocentrism is immature. Telling them so will not make the situation better either. Giving them reasons to allow for phenomena they can't see or prove, in terms they can understand even if they don't agree with them, will.
Being prepared to discuss or counter such ideas is just being smart and keeping all your bases covered. Especially if one of the detractors has a say in your funding.
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| Backward And Superstitious | Sep 4th. at 8:33:40 am EDT
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Mysteries Child (Garfield, Arkansas) - Email Me
Mr. Laubach, that's exactly the kind of stupidity I expect to hear out of someone who walks around worrying about how things look, or about the opinions of people who choose to stereotype.
You'd think a sociologist, used to the general idiocy of people in groups, would know better.
Unfortunately, holders of advanced degrees in places like West Virginia (or, for that matter, Arkansas) seem to tend to feel like lthey've got something to prove. Such was my experience growing up in the Monongahela Valley, and in my (extended) study at WVU.
Sad, really. Ah cul-tee-vayted dis yere ahk-sehnt jest t' prove dat hit ain't so.
Unfortunately, my daughter now spells "picture," "p-i-t-c-h-e-r." Oops.
I'm still glad Marshall has made this choice. And glad-- very glad-- that it's been generally well-received.
Oh, and guys?? You have a right to whatever you feel, but sometimes "self-proclaimed" really is just an adjective, one meaning, "s/he did not receive the label from someone else."
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| National Attention And Attention From Abroad? | Sep 4th. at 7:51:25 am EDT
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Nicole (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) - Email Me
Why? They are hardly the first college to have Pagan organizations.
Having said that, it's nice to hear that they do.
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| Ok But... | Sep 4th. at 1:18:27 am EDT
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Gentle Butterfly (Scott Depot, West Virginia) - Email Me
As a student at Marshall, I remember the similar article last semester. It was very positive but it did almost the exact same thing with the 'self proclaimed Pagan' shtick and I complained about it last time I'm sure. Maybe I'm too sensitive about the issue, but I see it in nearly every article about Paganism. You never hear about self professed Christians or self professed Jews, it's only the Pagans...
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| Nice Article | Sep 3rd. at 6:04:05 pm EDT
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Fraoch (Shelby, North Carolina) - Email Me
This is the kind of article that makes you smile. Hawthorn gave a fairly decent description of Neo Paganism too. Not too shabby in my humble opinion...
I disagree with the student that believes that the allowance for holidays would tend to make West VA look backwards and superstitious. Any allowance for any religious holiday makes a place fair game for that, if people are so inclined to think that way. Paganism isn't any more superstitious than the next religion. However, I understand his point. Many of us do practice some form of magic.
In the end it was by far more positive than a lot of articles dealing with Paganism that get tossed around in the media. I'm thankful for it. It made me say, "Nice. Somebody who has some semblance of a clue."
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