About Us

When you talk about Interfaith Tolerance and the persecution of Pagans, there is an unspoken assumption that the discriminator is a Christian. This is an unfair and overly simplistic supposition. Many members of the Neopagan community find themselves targets of hatred, mistrust or antagonism from sources that have very little to do with followers of Jesus Christ.

Every day, members of nature-based religions are treated with disrespect based upon their beliefs or the assumptions of what their practices entail. Witches are seen as kooks, crazies, tree-hugging airheads, evil crones, threatening figures or even a danger to society. In such an environment of intollerance, self-worth and personal pride are often daily casualties. Bit by bit, we often get worn down by the onslaught of subtle, tiny jabs. Many Pagans harden themselves to avoid the jokes and snide criticisms; drawing away from a society that doesn't appear to understand them. But the side-effects of this personal distancing are often worse than the pains they help us avoid.

To a suitably withdrawn person, gatherings such as Samhain and Beltane can start to resemble a refuge from outside influences rather than a religious observance. Full Moon rituals can become a guilty pleasure as opposed to an expression of faith. The word "Witch" becomes an term used more to shock than to define a path of spiritual exploration and identity.

The more we feel that, by our religious choices and observances we are set apart from humanity, we will become separated from the very world that gives us our strength. All things are interconnected. As much as we would like to say "ignore our persecutors, their hateful words and marginalizing actions", we know in our hearts that we can't escape the web of person-to-person relationships that we face every day.

Pride is something we need to build in our lives as long as there are those who whittle it away. We don't need approval or converts, but we do need acceptance and tolerance. This is what Pagan Pride is about.

We need to celebrate who and what we are from a religious perspective. We need to look for ways to change the world so that we can live in it alongside others in peace. We need to feel good about who we are, even if that means being different from those around us. We need to take Pride in who we are; not who we can shock or unsettle.

As long as even a small number of us are made to feel like Second Class citizens, Pride will be needed. Keep in mind that even after discrimination is conquered, the feelings may persist for a time. It is our job to plan for the day when even the feeling of discrimination is a thing of the past.

Together. As a community.

Yes, an individual can say that he or she -personally- doesn't feel a need to get involved or is already quite comfortable and proud of themselves, but that is neglecting the larger community to which we belong. Even if there are people with whom we wouldn't want to associate in the larger group, our connection to them is undeniable and as long as they suffer, we can suffer.

Whether or not we reach the lauded goal of halting discrimmination and allowing all people to feel Pride for who they are and what they believe is a matter for debate; but it provides the direction in which we should travel.