I have a problem:
My kids’ school routinely sends home
announcements from local churches. Does this mean that the
school is supporting the local churches? Or is it because some
of the administrators of the schools attend these churches and
are using the student body to increase attendance to their
particular church. I’m all for both freedom of religion and
separation of church and state. But these two things seem to
conflict with each other more and more.
There are so few active Pagans in my area that sending out the
same kind of notices for special rituals and events is an
exercise in futility. So few active, open Pagans in my area that
the UU in Knoxville (the largest city close to me) closed their
CUUPs. So what do I do now?
The closest events are too far away for me to go. Other Pagans
in my area are being run out. The ones left are scared to say
anything. I don’t understand this.
I’m not Christian bashing here, but when I politely refuse an
invitation to a church on the grounds of being Pagan and the
inviter screams, it’s not a good sign.
My husband recently told me that my openly Pagan stance is
making people look at me like I want attention. I don’t see a
problem with it. I don’t run around wearing big neon signs
saying "PAGAN". I don’t introduce myself by saying "Hi I’m a
Pagan, my name is Harmony". But when we’re asked to a church we
politely refuse. Or when one of the other football mom’s ask
what we’re doing after church on Sunday, I explain my views. I’m
not rude. I don’t expect special treatment, just equal.
Unfortunately it’s beginning to look like they want me out of
town as well. Last little league season prayer wasn’t a part of
the football practices or games until it came out that I’m Pagan
and raising my kids as such. From then on every game and
practice ended with a Christian prayer. It may be coincidence,
and I’m just paranoid.
I noticed that the Reiki therapist that I see had moved her
location from the new beauty salon to the natural store in town.
When I asked her why the move she just said it was because the
atmosphere is better in the store. A few months later the store
closed down too. It may be coincidence, and I’m just paranoid.
Several months ago I went to the middle school here in town and
asked the principal what his view on Paganism is. I had brought
some material from the web to help me try to educate him as to
what Paganism is. My kids will be going to that school soon and
I wanted to know that they would be safe from reprisal with the
school’s help. But, at the end of the football season a teen
from just down the street, who attends that school, told me that
she and a friend had been reprimanded by the principal for
talking about witchcraft in front of another student and scaring
her. He could have educated the other students, and teachers, in
the school as to Paganism, but he silenced it instead. It may be
coincidence, and I’m just paranoid.
My business has major competition from the local community
business leaders. The name of my business is "Inspiration
Point", lovely, right. Tenants of my campground have referred to
it as "the Point" for years. Until the big boat dock opened and
named itself "The Point". The street I live on is getting a new
housing development. It’s called "Inspiration Woods". They set
signs up advertising for it right under my sign that points the
direction to my campground. It may be coincidence, and I’m just
paranoid.
