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Defining Pagans?
Radical Pagan Right?
 
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•Part 1: The PUC controversy
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Upon researching the issue further, I dicovered that the PUC had addressed the issue-but I found the response from the PUC to questions from "non-earth honoring" pagans disconcerting. According to the PUC's official FAQ, the PUC has taken it upon them to define Paganism according to their own belief, and not to those who believe themselves to be Pagan. He disparages Satanists as a "Christian sect" that "perverts" Christian rites, although the majority of Satanists do not believe in a literal Satan or identify with the Christian religion. Followers of self-described "brutal" religions are criticized as cruel or human sacrificing, even though the followers of such "brutal" sects as Druidry describe themselves as abhorring cruelty. A PUC representative named Ron McCann goes so far as to label opponents as the "radical Pagan right," likening those who disagree with him to Christian extremists.                                                               

     Of course at the heart of this controversy are many questions. Can Pagans be defined? Should Paganism be defined? If homogeneity of faith is necessary for acceptance of Pagan beliefs in mainstream society, then what will become of Pagan beliefs that are marginalized by an overly narrow definition of faith? As the Pagan population continues to grow and diversify, it will likely face further resistance from the mainstream. Are individuals willing to sacrifice some of their religious identity in order to gain legitimacy in the public eye? The PUC may not realize their dilemma- by including anyone who wishes to self label as Pagan, they may risk offending their audience, but by excluding the groups most likely to be maligned or misunderstood, they might risk losing what they need even more- numbers.

 

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