Some friends and I were having a discussion on the subject of a Wiccan book. I'm choosing not to name the title and author because I don't want to distract from the main point of this article, but the book contained some very disturbing things passed off as Wiccan Tenets-- sexual practices that are fine when they're consensual, but deeply disturbing when they become mandatory, and outrageous when they are applied to children. It's a sad fact that these people are out there. There's something to be said for the discussion of their flaws, but this will not make them stop talking, nor will it make others stop listening.

Every time the subject of my being Pagan comes up, I always watch the person I'm talking to with a dread that I'm going to see "that look" on their faces. The one that says, "Oh, God, not another one." We've progressed beyond the point where I worry about people thinking I worship Satan, but now I have to worry that they think I'm a complete loser. Lately, most people I encounter have heard of Paganism in a modern context, but too many of those have encountered some of the less mature members of our community.

When I see that look, I tell the person, "Look. I know there are some Pagans out there that are nuts. It's okay-- you can say it. I like them less than you do. To you, they're weird and harmless. To me, they're a disgrace."

Every minority and religion has bad examples. Black people have to live with subcultures that promote drugs, violence, and racial conflict. There are homosexuals who actively enjoying making "breeders" uncomfortable and try to turn everything into a Gay issue. I've lost track of the number of Christians that have apologized to me for Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, and even most of the people that support Robertson and Falwell frown upon the Christians who promote persecution or even violence against members of other Religions. I have a friend who is a perfectly decent Christian, Right-wing Republican who wants to institute hangings-- of Christian Right Wing Republicans who say that to be a Democrat means you're not really a Christian.

It's so very PC not to bring it up, but that won't help. There's certainly wisdom in not giving them more attention than they deserve, but to ignore them accomplishes nothing. You can't say "We're not really like that" to someone who has seen those of us that are really like that. You can't make these people stop existing.

The real danger, though, isn't the effect that these people have on the public perception of Paganism. It's the effect that they have on our internal perceptions, and the things we do in response to them. I have to watch myself that I don't become too much of a "Fundamentalist Pagan." The truth is that I have no more right than anyone else in the world to say that this is Paganism and this is not.

All I can do is present my views in a reasonable manner. At first, this sounds like surrender. But it's not. Far from it, it's a very powerful thing. Everybody draws the line between "Good" and "Bad" somewhere. It's not even one line-- it's different lines in different places. You can reasonably assume that you have at least one moral opinion, one religious opinion, and one political opinion that I don't like. Maybe I just disagree, but maybe I think it's a bad idea that will do harm to us and our growth as a community. And I probably have opinions that you'd see the same way.

But if we present our opinions in a non-hostile manner, we have the ability to change. Maybe those around you will share our feelings, or maybe somebody else will change your mind. What's more, those that share your opinions can see that there are others who share their opinions. The lack of a structure or hierarchy to the Pagan Community often works against us, but that open exchange of ideas-- in a global culture that is beginning to see the value of such an exchange-- is also our greatest strength. We've come a long way in a short time because of it.

As far as correcting the public perception of the Pagan Community, the same answer applies. Yes, I still encounter "that look" a lot when people find out I'm a Pagan, but many times it turns out that this person has a friend, or neighbor, or co-worker who's a Pagan. And they were good people, so maybe I'm okay too.

I can only hope that the next time someone I know meets a Pagan, they remember me in a good light. For this reason, I encourage all Pagans to "come out of the broom closet." Don't tell people that "this is what Paganism is," tell them who you are. I know there are some people who have to be discreet about their religion for legitimate reasons, but if that's ever going to change, those of who can practice our religions openly must practice openly.

I believe this is vital to our future. Not only will it help correct the newest stereotype of the Pagan Community, but it will help both Pagans and non-Pagans alike to get a greater sense of our numbers. It will also help us live more confidently as Pagans and as individuals. Keeping secrets from our friends, family, and colleagues about who we are is a burden which is no longer necessary in most places.

This is happening now-- and the more it happens, the further we progress.

© 2003 by Cather "Catalyst" Steincamp