Devil worshipping not pagan practiceIn Robert Nekervis’ article on Wednesday he stated that, “very few religious individuals know what it feels like to have your ‘friends’ casually assert that you are going to smolder in a flaming pit of sulfur for eternity simply because you don’t share in their religious beliefs.” I’m here to say that there are in fact many religious individuals here on campus that do. Pagans face the same type of isolation and harassment that Mr. Nekervis described in his article. Often isolated from family, friends and co-workers, we are misunderstood, called tree huggers at best or Satanists at worst.Paganism is actually a general term (originally meaning peasant) used to describe many religions that tend to have a common theme based on pre-Christian religions. We do not worship the devil, as Satan is a Christian concept and does not have a place in paganism.That is why, like the Students for Freethought, we formed the Pagan Student Association (PSA) this past Autumn. PSA is a place where pagans and students interested in paganism can come to discuss religion in an open, academic atmosphere as well as providing a supporting social environment for pagan students.Like Students for Freethought, pagans are not out to convert people. Pagan religions are very individualistic and each person is encouraged to find their own path. So for everyone out there who has truly thought about religion and has found their path, be they atheists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, pagans, or any of the other many religions out there, I commend you and support you.
Joann TilleyCo-chair of Pagan Student Organization
