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| Witchvox Chapter: Wren's Nest News | Chapter Page Views: 56,552,150 |
 A Pagan Republican Comes Out Of The Broom Closet Author: Sarah M. Pike Source: Religion Dispatches Title: A PAGAN REPUBLICAN COMES OUT OF THE BROOM CLOSET Sexy teenage witches or nature-worshipping environmentalists, not Republican politicians, serve as our popular images of contemporary Pagans. But as fall campaigns for New York City’s City Council heat up, a Republican candidate from Queens has been forced “out of the broom closet.” Given that Republicans are typically linked with conservative Christianity, both the Neopagan community and some Republicans are a bit puzzled by Dan Halloran, who is running on Republican, Libertarian, Conservative, and Independence lines for City Council. Halloran’s campaign Web site counters the assumption that Neopagans dress and act differently from other Americans. Photos on his official site show a clean-cut and conservatively dressed Halloran speaking out against “Obamacare,” supporting youth baseball programs and the Boy Scouts, and presenting a Police Officer of the Month Award. In contrast, the Queens Tribune story played up his alter identity as Pagan priest by running a photo from his page on the “Paganspace” Web site that shows a blue-robed Halloran kneeling before his ritual tools. | |
| Community Thoughts: There are 12 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Just So We're Clear... | Oct 17th. at 11:11:44 am EDT |
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Dan Holzman-Tweed (New York CIty, New York) - Email Me Mr. Halloran was not outed by the newspaper article. If you've got pictures of yourself online doing Heathen things, you're out. If your Facebook page says you're a Heathen, you're out. Mr. Halloran is very clear that he's never made a secret of his paganism. For my part, as a Queens resident, his being Heathen isn't much of a reason to vote for him, but his being Republican sure is a deal breaker. |
| I’m A Republican Pagan | Oct 17th. at 9:17:48 am EDT |
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Shadow Dragon (nashville, Tennessee) - Email Me As you see, they talked it out. Being a pagan will cost him votes. But I don’t think republicans are strong in queens, so maybe the pagan theme will draw in votes. And draw in press about pagans. Halloween is coming up. Pagans may become the swing vote in this election. |
| *gasps And Clutches Pearls* | Oct 16th. at 7:20:36 am EDT |
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Laura C. (Weston, Florida) - Email Me Oh my stars, I never dreamed there could be members of the same religion in TWO different political parties! This changes everything!! But seriously, why are people so surprised that there are Republican Pagans? That's like being shocked that there are Christian Democrats. Religion and politics don't align 100% regardless of which party you're in. |
| "Pagan" Or Not...... | Oct 16th. at 3:18:02 am EDT |
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nasionnaich (Stanchfield, Minnesota) - Email Me This is such old news, yet again re-hashed in a "sensationalistic" manner. I don't care about the guy's religious choice either, but I do care about whether he intends to inject his religious beliefs into every decision he makes as a Public Servant. I am not a "Conservative", nor am I a "Liberal" -- I am a Citizen who cares deeply about elected politicians doing what is Right instead of what is Expedient or what will benefit the ***politician*** the most. This guy obviously has a lot of money to spend on suits and such, and has had it for a long time, while those he would represent are struggling to pay their bills. If I lived in NYC, I wouldn't vote for him. Real Leaders suffer right alongside their "people" -- they do not sit in Luxury when their "people" have nothing. --nasionnaich |
| Oops | Oct 16th. at 1:20:07 am EDT |
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Reaver (Lebanon, Oregon) - Email Me Was that a liberal pagan calling names? I understand that is a symptom of small mindedness, according to every radical protester I have ever met... Yes, there are quite a few conservative pagans out here. Even back in the 80's when I was jumping out of airplanes for the Army, we were around. I hope this gentleman does get elected based on his performance, not his religion. There is no religious standard for public office that I am aware of in the Constitution. |
| ... | Oct 15th. at 10:39:54 pm EDT |
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Draken (Bronx, New York) - Email Me - Web Can he do the job without his religion getting in the way the way Chimpy McFlightsuit's did? |
| Exception? | Oct 15th. at 10:26:47 pm EDT |
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Gray Fox (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - Email Me Not really. There are many conservative leaning Pagans out there. Perhaps they're a little more quiet about their paths because of blow back from the more (generaly) liberal minded Pagan community? I have been the target of many an "open minded" Pagan because of my right of center mindset. I'm an Independent Libertarian and very proud of it. As I am of my beliefs. I have gotten 100% more grief by liberal Pagans about said mindset than I ever have by my more conservative associates about my spiratual path. Having been in the military two months shy of 20 years, that's saying something. Yes, Pagan most of that time. |
| And Yet Part II | Oct 15th. at 9:48:11 pm EDT |
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Emerald Tiger (Jamestown, North Dakota) - Email Me It is nice to see that the Reppies are not ALL as they have been represented as being the (at times ultra) religious Non-Pagans that they have been portrayed as. Goes to show, that even what we think is the case isn't always the case. OK, so he is the exception to the rule, but it is nice to see the exception instead of the rule once in a while. |
| My Queens Does Not Have A King | Oct 15th. at 7:32:13 pm EDT |
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Randgríðr (Glen Cove, New York) - Email Me The article is misleading. A king is not JUST a priest in Theodism. A king is also exactly what the word means in English. As in "the divine right of kings". As in no separation of church and state. George Washington said it best - "WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF KINGS!" |
| Just Goes To Show | Oct 15th. at 5:48:54 pm EDT |
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Zodiac (Waverly, Nebraska) - Email Me Can't judge people based on labels. I'm surprised that New Yorkers (who are supposedly more tolerant than other people in the US outside of San Francisco) have to be reminded of that. |
| Meh | Oct 15th. at 5:44:45 pm EDT |
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Shadow (Traverse City, Michigan) - Email Me I wouldn't vote for him either...it seems like there is more to this "forcible" outing, like he may be using it to gain a few votes. I have to give him props for not parading around in garb 24/7 though, or going by an insanely long, fantasy-sounding name. |
| And Yet | Oct 15th. at 5:30:14 pm EDT |
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Lioness (Lutz, Florida) - Email Me I still wouldn't vote for him if I were a New Yorker. |
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