As social movements grow and evolve, they draw an inevitable and increasing amount of attention. For better or for worse, the scrutiny of the world -first local, then national and then international- focuses in upon those people who are working for recognition or change. Also inevitably, though, comes the counter cry of "Why is this necessary?"

   As if to question the very motivation of the groups who are working to improve their condition in life, critics will ask loaded questions that reveal the lack of understanding an outsider has at looking at a social movement. "But, you already have your freedom; you're an American" is a comment I'm used to hearing. "You already have Freedom of Religion and Speech" is another.

   It is as if the critic is uncomfortable with the very existence of those who struggle to change things. I suppose it's probably rooted in the human desire for stability that encourages this kind of skeptical derision. It seems to me that the motivation behind such dismissive commentary is usually fear.

   People fear several things that contribute to asking why we bother to gather and raise our voices in Pride over who we are. They may ask themselves why the social minority feels the need to make a fuss while never asking themselves why they are bothered by it.

   First and foremost, they fear the balance of power. If a religious or social minority is gaining recognition, some people will feel threatened. It's like the old attitude that surrounded the apocryphal "Button" that could launch a nuclear missile. People could support such a weapon in "our" hands because we knew that "we" wouldn't misuse it. It was "they" who were the threat; never mind that to "them", "we" are "they".

   The same philosophy is applied by those who look at a minority reaching for recognition. While that group may be innocuous or even beneficial, their gain in power is seen by the majority as a loss of their own power and, while they trust themselves with it, they don't necessarily trust those who come from outside their own social circle. Even if no harm would come from this perceived shift in power, many fear it.

   The second type of fear is of that ever-present bogeyman, turmoil.

   Most people work day-in and day-out to put food on the table, earn money to afford recreation and strive in every waking hour to ensure their families' chances to better themselves. Any changes in the fabric of that society which has allowed the critic to get as far as they have, is often viewed, and rightly so, as a threat to their plans for success.

   Only those who command enough resources to resist the ripples from such changes have the full luxury of riding them out. To Joe and Jane Average however, these ripples are more like waves that threaten their meager stability and achievements. Even if there is no direct correlation between the social movement seeking change and the financial, religious and political achievements/goals of the critic, there is always an x-factor in addressing these minority and unknown quantities that gives even the most stable-minded individual pause.

   This, of course, introduces the third type of fear that motivates the critic of social change. That fear is the oldest and most pervasive. It is fear of the unknown.

   Pagans, whether or not they have been slandered by centuries of theological warfare, are an unknown quantity. Without much in the way of an organized hierarchy, the sheer individualism within Pagan philosophies allows for a diversity of motivation and direction that is befuddling, confusing and -quite frankly- frightening for many who are outside of those circles. Without such a central focus, those outside are free to make up any evil or threat their darkest subconscious can conjure up and apply to those outside their experience.

   Also, there's the simple fact that many initiate Pagan traditions are Mystery Traditions. For a variety of reasons, they keep certain rites and beliefs a secret until an initiate reaches a certain degree of education. While the reasons for doing this may be legion, to an outsider a vow of secrecy can be viewed with the ages-old skeptical remark "If they have nothing to hide, why do they have secrets?"

   No matter the response and reason given to these critics, I doubt if there will be change any time soon. As frustrating as it may seem, I think that many of those who live in fear of social change do so out of very understandable motivations. In light of this, the questions they raise are interesting.

   Why do we gather to insist upon recognition? Why do we feel the necessity to stand together and say "I'm proud of who I am and what I believe"?

   No matter the political realities of the culture in which we live, recognition is something that is a motivating force for just about every human. Even the most anti-social and introverted of people seem to need some form of external acknowledgement.

   The need to practice a faith -even a private faith- but not have to hide it, is an important distinction lost upon some critics. Yes, religious practice is a personal matter. It is something that exists between the practitioner and whatever manifestation of the Divine that they wish to observe. But each person -on some level- seems to need reassurance that should their practice become subject to scrutiny by the society in which they live, they will not have to suffer socially-inspired shame and exclusion.

   Pressure to conform can lead even the most solitary of individuals to distraction and stress.

   As long as there are feelings that Pagans are somehow a threat, evil or a provocative danger to life, liberty and apple pie, the pressures upon Pagans will persist. Dealing with such pressures on a daily basis can be taxing to the point of physical and emotional exhaustion.

   Why Pride? Because, despite what we may be influenced to believe, we are proud of whom we are. Because, even if our critics misunderstand and fear us, we need to feel that we are good people; that we aren't even a sliver of what our detractors think we are.

   Because, when all is said and done, we are social creatures. We live, breathe and exist not within a vacuum, but in the sea of myriad souls that make up this patchwork world of ours. We need validation of some sort and, perhaps, by gathering together people of similar and disparate faiths for the purpose of declaring our Pride, we can help accomplish that.

Published at Pagan Pride,
Twin Cities on September 16th, 2000.
Thanks to Margaret Eastman
for her edits and support.