Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott Boehm "Bornavag" on December 31, 2009 at 8:33pm

Why not both? As pagans we work with many faiths on a semi-regular basis anyway, if we network with other pagans. So would it be that much of a stretch to try to include other religions as well?

If we focus only on ourselves then we are not really doing all that needs to be done. We do not need more acceptance from other pagans. We do not need to continue with things as they are. Real change is needed and the only way to achieve this type of change is to work at it.

The average person will not seek us out to learn about what it means to be a modern pagan, we need to show them by our actions. How many times within pagan discussions are people focused on the "evils" of another religion they see as to blame for the current situation? When people from these other religions see this they see attacks and go on the defensive. Once this occurs the opportunity to change their minds has passed.

Let us continue the steps that others have started for us.

Scott

Permalink Reply by Meical abAwen on January 5, 2010 at 2:48pm

I think that making our presence known in Interfaith movements is the most productive way to go. I have to admit, though, to some relucatance to approach the local Interfaith group. They are ALL Christian, and I don't think that Inter to them means anything except what we would call IntraChristian...

Permalink Reply by Geoffrey D. Stewart on January 5, 2010 at 4:25pm

Meical,

Well, then maybe look around for a Rabbi and/or some Hindu or Buddhist folks in your area and see if they or anyone in their congregations has expressed interest in Interfaith work? Heck, search around on here, I would be rather surprised if the Parliament didn't have relevant resources!

Peace,
Pax

Permalink Reply by Geoffrey D. Stewart on January 5, 2010 at 4:30pm

Hey folks,

Sorry not to have spoken up more here on this till now. I work in the hospitality industry in a motel and it was more than a littly nutty the last couple of weeks.

My question is grounded in the observation that there are a lot of folks within Paganism who seem very invested in an isolationist attitude towards their particular Paganism... and that we need as much in movement Interfaith work as we do Pagan movement to other faith paths Interfaith work...

I am starting small within my soon to me a member U.U. congregation and the Pagan Affinity Group there The Mystic Grove. From there, I am not sure where the journey will take me, we shall see. What about each of you? How and where do you do in movement and beyond the Pagan movement Interfaith work?

Peace and curiosity,
Pax

Permalink Reply by David Linton on January 16, 2010 at 12:32am

We desperately need to connect outside the Pagan realm, in order to be taken seriously and veiwed as real people with real concerns.

Pagans will forever be a splintered group - we've never been an organized religion, and that's not about to change. I tell Christian friends that there is easily far more diversity among Pagans than there is between Christian denominations. This is, by the way, not a bad thing. It just makes it a real challenge for the outside world to get a cogent view of what we're about.

The more we can interact with other groups, the better. Myself, I'm in the US, and here, I believe that we have common ground with U.S. Muslims, because we're both part of vilified, marginal religions with respect and persecution issues. We need to get to the point where we can defend each other. If my neighbor's imam is suppressed, then who will defend my high priestess?

Permalink Reply by Geoffrey D. Stewart on August 25, 2010 at 10:45am

David,

I think that work reaching out from Paganism is needed, but I also think we within Paganism need to start seeing Paganism as an Interfaith Movement and reach out to one another at least as much as we need to reach out to non-Pagans.