If We Don't Proselytize, Why Are You Holding This Pamphlet?
Why We Don't Proselytize
In the Pagan community we tend to say that it is against our religion to proselytize. We don't have one doctrine, or one central authority, or one god, or one teacher, or one holy book, or one prophet, or one truth. And despite that fact that we have no central governing authority or doctrine, it does seem to be against our religion to proselytize.
A Religion Without Converts
Proselytizing isn't just telling people about your beliefs; it is attempting to convert people to your religion. One of the reasons we don't proselytize is that we don't "convert" people. The majority of people who call themselves Pagans did not convert from another faith; they came home to the community of the faith they always held. The Pagan "conversion" experience is not, "I have seen the Light of Truth," it is, "I have found a name for the faith I always had. I have come home."
The Primacy of Personal Experience
Most Pagans believe in the primacy of personal experience. We tend to believe that truth is derived from individual experience rather than second hand revelation. What "God" said to you may not be what "God" said to me. Therefor every person must be true to their own personal experience. This belief requires us to respect the autonomy of people who's experiences are different from our own. Different people have different experiences. Different people have different needs. We have no moral imperative to convert others to our path because we do not believe that there is one path that is right for all people. And we do have a moral obligation to allow others to do what ever they must to attain their own spiritual growth, so long as they don't harm others. We respect the truth of others as we would have them respect our truth.
Why We Hand Out Pamphlets
We feel so strongly about not forcing our beliefs on others that sometimes it is difficult for people to find out anything about our beliefs at all. Religion is a personal thing but more and more Pagans are "coming out of the closet" and talking openly about our beliefs.
Education
As a minority religion in a Christian dominated culture, we feel a strong need to dispel misconception about our faiths and practices. Unfortunately, this is necessary in order for us to enjoy the freedom of religion that this country is so proud of. There are people who would deny us our jobs, custody of our children, and even our lives out of fear. We seek to educate non-Pagans about our beliefs so that they will know that we are not a danger to them. This is risky because it opens us up to attacks out of bigotry and intolerance, but "eternal vigilance is the price of freedom".
Finding Lost Children of the Goddess
Because Pagans spontaneously generate (instead of being cultivated through proselytizing) they are difficult to find. Even Pagans who choose to become members of Pagan community groups tend to practice their faith alone. About half of all Pagans who answer surveys are solitary practitioners. Imagine how many more were not surveyed because no one knew they were Pagan or they themselves did not know that others share their beliefs. We hand out pamphlets so other people who share our beliefs can find us.
If you want to learn more:
"Drawing Down the Moon : Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today"
by Margot Adler
"The Spiral Dance : A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess"
by Starhawk
The Ithaca Pagan Page
http://IthacaPagan.thesociety.net
The Witches Voice
http://www.witchvox.com
The Pagan Pride Project
http://www.paganpride.org
© 05/16/01 Sheherazahde
sheherazahde@yahoo.com
Distribution is welcome if this notice is included.
http://www.oocities.org/sheherazahde/AllianceCommunity/Proselytize.html