PaCO all about the goddess, not about the pentagrams
Jennifer King
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Soap Box
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What do you think of when you hear the word "pagan?" If you think of large pentagrams on the ground painted in blood, animal sacrifices and deadly curses, then you have been watching way too many horror movies. If you think of Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks dressed in a disturbing level of punk fashion dancing around in goat-skin leggings, well then that's OK, because we love "Dragnet" too - it's a fun movie. But you might still need better information.
We are PaCO, the Pagan Campus Organization. We are not here to harm you, your pets or your children. In fact, one of the most commonly shared pagan beliefs is phrased in the Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do what you will." We are here to enjoy life as the gods have given it - or as the big bang has chanced into existence or as the power of the human mind has willed into reality, depending on what you believe in.
We would love to tell you what pagans believe, but that is a bit difficult, as there are so many different religious views that fall under the term "pagan." Pagan religions include Wicca, Druidism, Kemetic (Egyptian), Asatru (Norse Heathenism), Hellenic recreationist (Greek), Voudoun, Shamanism, Native American beliefs, Santeria, Shinto, atheism and more. We can tell you that it is common for pagan religions to share beliefs in the interconnectedness of all things in this world, the high value of nature and remaining a part of it, valuing and celebrating life and the importance of self-reliance. We commonly believe in the bettering of the self through meditation and peaceful understanding.
Some people seem to think that pagans are dangerous. At student organization fairs, we sometimes get strange looks, sometimes get ignored and have even seen a mother shield the eyes of her young child and herd it to the other end of the Field House quickly. Despite the myths and misconceptions, Pagans as a whole are not dangerous or harmful, and have certainly never been Satanists. Satan is a concept belonging to the Abrahamic religions -Judaism, Christianity and Islam - and many - perhaps most - pagans do not believe in Satan in any way at all.
We are PaCO, the Pagan Campus Organization. We are not here to harm you, your pets or your children. In fact, one of the most commonly shared pagan beliefs is phrased in the Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do what you will." We are here to enjoy life as the gods have given it - or as the big bang has chanced into existence or as the power of the human mind has willed into reality, depending on what you believe in.
We would love to tell you what pagans believe, but that is a bit difficult, as there are so many different religious views that fall under the term "pagan." Pagan religions include Wicca, Druidism, Kemetic (Egyptian), Asatru (Norse Heathenism), Hellenic recreationist (Greek), Voudoun, Shamanism, Native American beliefs, Santeria, Shinto, atheism and more. We can tell you that it is common for pagan religions to share beliefs in the interconnectedness of all things in this world, the high value of nature and remaining a part of it, valuing and celebrating life and the importance of self-reliance. We commonly believe in the bettering of the self through meditation and peaceful understanding.
Some people seem to think that pagans are dangerous. At student organization fairs, we sometimes get strange looks, sometimes get ignored and have even seen a mother shield the eyes of her young child and herd it to the other end of the Field House quickly. Despite the myths and misconceptions, Pagans as a whole are not dangerous or harmful, and have certainly never been Satanists. Satan is a concept belonging to the Abrahamic religions -Judaism, Christianity and Islam - and many - perhaps most - pagans do not believe in Satan in any way at all.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 6
Serenity Joy
posted 9/20/07 @ 4:29 PM EST
What a well-written article! I wish you luck in gathering like minds together!
William Hood
posted 9/21/07 @ 12:15 AM EST
Um...how can one say: "In fact, one of the most commonly shared pagan beliefs is phrased in the Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do what you will," and then list religions like Asatru, Santeria, Shinto, etc. (Continued…)
Jennifer_K
Jennifer King
posted 9/21/07 @ 1:12 AM EST
I picked up a copy of The Maine Campus today, and I have to say that I am very disappointed with how this article turned out. Most of the minor edits I can live with, but they seemed a little excessive, and many of them unnecessary. (Continued…)
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