How out is "out?"- Updated


Is it really about community?

Via Chas S. Clifton comes this link to an article on the PAGAN+politics of the Pagan Newswire Collective.

Apparently some folks believe that all Pagans should "come out."

I'm not exactly in the broom closet, but I am not out there with a Pagan Pride sticker on my car either.

My family knows that I am Pagan. When I told them, some of my evangelical relatives promptly made me a boogeyman. It didn't help that for a short time, I had studied for the Methodist ministry.

It's never come up in my job, although over the years there have been some coworkers who have taken it on themselves to convert me.

I always wear pendents away from the house, usually these change with the moon phase.

There have been a few incidents where I have run afoul of the local political big wigs and local law enforcement when my faith was an issue. Or at least an excuse.

I've taken great pains to keep my legal name off the internet. There is nothing about religion to find there because there is very little about my legal name.

Of those who do know I am Pagan, almost no one knows of my title here, NeoWayland. It comes up less than you might think. And here I had calling cards printed.

I don't see anything wrong with living as "quiet" Pagan as long as you do it honestly. If someone asks, I'll tell them the truth, just as I have before.

As far as I can see, the only faiths who place merit in public declarations of faith are evangelical and monotheistic. I'm just not convinced that's a template that Pagans should want.

Update
Thanks to Jason at The Wild Hunt Blog for mentioning my concerns.

I've been thinking about this some more this morning.

Part of my concerns are professional. These days I do polo shirts more than the vests and ties I used to favor, but I still remember my Corporate Clone days. I keep my beard trimmed short, and when I go out of the house I pull my hair back in a bear tail. How much of that is just me looking nice for the neighbors, I honestly couldn't say.

Most days the confrontations aren't worth it. I tend to win most arguments I get into, and usually the fallout gets ugly. I believe that "Good fences make good neighbors." "Live and let live" is one my core principles.

Why should it matter how far "out" anyone is as long as they are true to themselves and their Gods?

Posted: Mon - July 5, 2010 at 07:00 AM
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