Politics
Do you consider yourself a political pagan? If so, what topics are most important to you and why? If you are not a political pagan, why?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is complicated and I'm still trying to decide what it means exactly. In order to be political, does that necessitate being polically active beyond exercising the right - and in my opinion, responsibility - to vote? There seems to be a point of no return when the preponderence of certain truths about the state of things makes it impossible to remain inactive. Pagans: Get Involved or Else!
As far as topics are concerned, the list is long but right now I have two primary concerns:
After seeing An Inconvenient Truth I felt very strongly that I had to find a way to do something about global warming. Our religion is earth based - we need to save our mother! I posted a few days ago about casting A Spell To Banish A Bad President. I was only partly joking. There has to be a way for witches to combine our power to raise healing energy for our planet. A more political solution? I haven't quite figured that out yet.
Swiftly moving right to the top of my list is preserving the constitutional separation of church and state. Recent statements by the DLC suggest that Democratic leadership cares more about courting Christian votes than preserving a progressive platform. As a witch, I can't help but image what living in a Christian theocracy will be like. Look at how the Christian right (and can the Christian left be very far behind?) is attacking the rights of gays. When they finish with them, will they come after us?
The question still remains, what can I do? Knowledge being power, one of the first things I naturally turn to is information gathering.
I googled "political pagans" to see what that would yield. Not as much as I would have liked or expected to see. A few individual articles and blog entries here and there. I did find one site: Political Pagan. It's difficult to read but does address various political topics from a pagan point of view.
Otherwise, among the vast array of political blogs, these are the ones I like particularly:
My Left Wing (we witches like wings!)
On The Left Tip (a political rant by a sister shoe-lover)
Maybe a place to begin my political pagan activism is to start a blog. Anyone interested in joining me to work on our own political pagan blog?
Thank you to Witches Weekly for the Q&A.
Posted by Angela-Eloise at 12:39 PM
Comments
Pagans are doing a lot of charity and social work but not always under the Pagan banner. We are very involved in the kind of social work that often falls in line with our beliefs such as environmental causes and animal rights. Areas where Pagans are working hard and openly as Pagans include interfaith education and dialogue and causes involving religious freedom. Be sure to check out Circle Sanctuary, the Covenant of the Goddess, Reclaiming, and Avalon Cares. Keep in mind too that many Pagan groups are grass-roots organizations working in their communities and not necessarily at a national level.
Posted by: Cosette | July 28, 2006 3:03 AM
Recent statements by the DLC suggest that Democratic leadership cares more about courting Christian votes than preserving a progressive platform.
I noticed that too. And another thing I noticed is how Centerist the whole conversation was. Hilliary was so totally walking the middle of the isle. I am so utterly disappointed in her. It's tough when the herione you look up to breaks your heart.
The Democrats have become Republican Lite. While I have never 'belonged' to the Democratic party, I have always voted in such a manner. But now I'm holding them responsible for their inaction and (apparent) ineptitude.
Posted by: Nio | July 28, 2006 6:18 PM