Guest Post: Laura LaVoie says Pagans need to present United Front

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I use the term Pagan to describe myself. I am neither a reconstructionist nor am I Wiccan so Pagan seems to be the most reasonable description. Polytheist would also suffice but I kind of like the term Pagan and it is easily recognizable so it suits me. If I want to get more descriptive I would say Hellenic Pagan. What an individual wants to label themselves is none of my concern, ultimately.

However, where I start to get concerned is when the labeling or the lack of labeling or the change of label starts to affect the community as a whole. You might say “What community?” That is precisely my point. I think that all Pagans, Polytheists, Wiccans, Heathens, Reconstructionists, or anyone else who believes in some form of “The Old Gods” or “Multiple Gods” would be better served by providing a united front to gain acceptance outside of our own communities. When we are all so concerned with what we’re not or that we aren’t the same kind of polytheists as those polytheists over there, the community begins to break down.

I think it is important that we do come together for some things. If a Polytheism-identified group wants to promote their community out side Pagandom, that’s fine. But I also think it would be a good and separate PR move to also maintain ties to the Pagan community so when we are in a position to make a real difference in society we can come together to do it. (This is, of course, why I was so involved with Pagan Coming Out Day. It is an issue that is very important to me).

Laura LaVoie