For Pagans-if you knew of a Pagan only town or county in the USA, would you be willing to move there?

Question

I realize this sort of thing is unrealistic, but...
I keep thinking how hard it is to be open in my community. Perhaps if there were enough Pagans to purchase the right amount of land in an already Pagan friendly state, this could be a solution.

As I said, it's unrealistic. Many bring up the point of getting attacked by non-Pagans. That is actually the first thing I thought of too. Was just kinda daydreaming.

Answer 1

it would be quickly attacked and labeled as a cult.

besides. as a Celtic Pagan, the study of other religions is very important to me. i enjoy having Jewish and Muslim neighbors.
i am often invited to attend their celebrations and to take part in their feasts. and many of them come to my celebrations and attend my feasts.

I learn a lot about these people and their beliefs, not by reading about them, but by spending time with them and observing their worship.

being an isolationist only causes people to precieve you as someone that thinks that what they are doing is wrong, and needs to be hidden. if it is hard to be open in your community, start small and make friends in the ares, then when they figure out for themselves what religion you are they will ask about it.
explain and they will in turn explain to their friends. befure you know it everyone will know, and nobody (except the few extreemist's ) will care.

Answer 2

No, probably not. Aside from the mundane concerns such as moving away from job, friends, and family, I think it would be asking for trouble. Not in making us a target for non-Pagans - though that is always a potential issue - but from each other. The Pagan community is notoriously rife with conflict - people snarking about other people's practices, so-and-so doesn't think the priestess down the street can magick her way out of a paper bag, etc. Getting everyone packed in close, so we can't get away from each other? Probably not wise.

Then throw in the more uncommon beliefs and practices, and people will get into pissing matches over that. Somebody will get the brilliant idea of passing tradition-specific ordinances.... oy. A nightmare in the making.

Answer 3

Maybe we would move, maybe not. Although we would love to have a community with similar religious views, other criteria would be important like jobs, housing, crime, weather, medical care facilities, tax rates, etc. Realistically speaking, we already live in a city that has a large, very active pagan community yet we still seldom go to events. Our friends and interests are so varied that I would miss the diversity that we now have.

The ideal for us would be to live in a county that has a good diversity of people and excellent job opportunities, affordable housing, and low tax rates. Hmmm....sounds a little like where we're living now--SW Ohio.

Answer 4

I like where I am living, but even if there was a place I think we would have bible thumber's at the entrance pestering any one who entered or left the city or county. But that's me being optimistic. I know not all Christians are that way, but enough are for me to worry about that kind of stuff.

Peace out and Blessed Be to all
)O(
24 y.o. Pagan College Student

Answer 5

No, I would not move there.

I love chris j's answer, and agree with it.

BTW, if you are concerned about being "out", I recommend that you become active in your community first, without any discussion of religion. After you've worked the polls for a few years, helped with projects that catch your interest or express your goals (environmental? recycling? library volunteer? they are endless) and allow people to get to know you as a person who's like them, coming out will not be such a big deal.

And always remember that it's up to you how "out" you want to be. What is important is that we all, in whatever level of "outness" we are, continue to fight religious oppression of any kind, directed against anyone. I'm not talking about the pseudo-oppression that some folks claim (which seems to consist of not having their exclusive way), but real persecution.

We cannot only be concerned with our own religious freedom.

Answer 6

Without dealing with the underlying problem of intolerance, there is no way to be sure a Pagan only town would be any more peaceful than any other kind of town. There are racist pagans as well.

People who hold themselves separate are not people who hold themselves equal.

Answer 7

Yeah some Christians would definately "cleanse" your town.

"Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)

Answer 8

No. I know entire too many other Pagans to want to only have to deal with Pagans all day every day.

Answer 9

no, there are alot of different pagan paths and there are alot of intolerant pagans who disagree with differing pagan paths.

You would encounter ignorance and hostility from some of the different pagan paths within the community because some who would move there would want to make it a purer form of paganism--according to their definition.

Answer 10

Since most of us have to worship in secret, I don't think it would matter if I was the only Pagan in town or not. Yeah, I guess I'd move there.