Why isn't Pagan Vigil Pagan focused?


Answering my email
I got an interesting email this morning asking me why the site was named Pagan•Vigil when it really doesn't deal with Pagan specific issues,

It's a good point and one I would like to answer on the site in addition to the email (check your inbox Ron).

I believe that Pagans do themselves a disservice by addressing only "Pagan" issues or political issues in terms of our faith and practices. I am not libertarian because I am Pagan, and I certainly hope that someone isn't progressive because they are Pagan.

As a committed individualist, I also believe that religion is first and foremost a personal choice. I think it is a mistake to consider any group monolithic in it's attitudes and actions.

I am a "person of faith" even if it is not one of the usual ones, and that is going to influence my individual actions. Since my faith does share an Earth focus, I'm naturally going to be very interested in environmental issues.

That doesn't mean I am going to necessarily agree with the majority opinion.

As a member of a minority faith, I'm very focused on religious freedom. But as an individualist, I don't want special recognition of "my" rights. When I do discuss religious rights, it will be in terms that all faiths share.

Basically I believe people have rights because they are individual humans, not because of any group associations. I believe freedom is defined by choices and responsibilities.

Finally, I use the name of this site to remind certain people that they can't wrap themselves in their faith and use it to excuse their political actions. Other people are watching, people with very different motivations. Competition breeds honesty after all.

For all of us.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Thu - June 29, 2006 at 09:01 AM  Tag


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