My problem with the Pagan or Wiccan groups is in whether they qualify as a religion. Most religions in the world espouse doing good. In our culture we see food pantries, homeless shelters, free clinics and hospitals started and manned by religious entities. I’ve seen Baptist hospitals, Jewish hospitals, Methodist hospitals, Catholic hospitals. I’ve never seen a Pagan hospital or food pantry or homeless shelter. I would call Pagans evil, but maybe I could more easily support that they have no socially redeeming value. If one wanted to start a religion espousing human sacrifices (for example), it wouldn’t be legal to practice it despite our freedoms of religion. To me, Wiccans or Pagans come close to falling into a category that pushes the lines of what should even be legal. – Jim Bromley, NC (posted as a Letter to the Editor)
It is not news that there is significant backlash against the presence of Paganism. However, the above letter-to-the-editor has offered a new argument. Rather than calling Pagans evil or blaming them for the horrors of society, the letter claims that we have “no socially redeeming value.” Proof? There are no Pagan hospitals, Pagan pantries or Pagan homeless shelters.
First let’s be clear, “religion” is defined in the dictionary as the “act worshiping or belief in a higher power” and is not at all based on the presence of charitable acts. The umbrella term “Paganism” includes a variety of religions, some of which are, in fact, legally recognized as such. They are religions whether or not any practitioner lifts a single hand to help another.
With that said, let’s address Mr. Bromley’s concerns. He is right on two counts. There are no Pagan hospitals or homeless shelters. Both entities take large sums of money which usually originate from sizable and on-going donations from the government, wealthy religious institutions, corporations or private benefactors. Running such organizations also takes aggressive community outreach and strong support.
The Pagan community has not have a wealthy central “church” to provide the capital needed to fund a hospital. Due to the First Amendment, the Government is not permitted, in theory, to financially support religious hospitals. Finally, Pagans do not have the public clout needed to raise the needed amount. Large private corporations and donors have yet to offer-up funds to finance Pagan-oriented ventures of this size.
Keep in mind, until recently, most Pagan groups and individuals have had to hide in the proverbial “broom closet.” In many instances, they still do. Historically speaking, the level of hostility toward Pagan religions has made it such that its followers cannot safely build and run large visible community organizations.
However, concerning Mr. Bromley’s third point, there are Pagan pantries. I’m sitting by one and its filled with organic foods that are contained in recyclable or reusable packaging. But I digress…
Does the lack of a hospital mean that Pagans don’t contribute to society? Are there Hindu hospitals outside of India? What about Buddhist hospitals? Heck, there aren’t even any Muslim hospitals in the U.S.
If we can just suspend our beliefs & imagine that goodness can be achieved outside of hospital management, I will list a few recent socially responsible acts committed by Pagans:
- 100% for Haiti “Members of the Pagan community have proved they are generous when called upon to make a difference.” – Peter Dybing. Sources estimate that this campaign raised over $8,000 for the people of Haiti.
- Doctor’s Without Borders (Pagan Fundraising Page) This campaign raised over $33,400 Japanese Tsunami Victims.
- Lady Liberty League The League addresses Pagan civil rights across rights and assists when needed.
- Pagan Assistance Fund This Fund in Georgia raises funds and runs drives throughout the year for needy Pagan families.
- The Open Hearth Foundation Opened in Dec of 2011, this organization is an actual Pagan Community Center in D.C. Perhaps the first of its kind.
- The Hearthstone Coven in Washington State reports that it has organized a Habitat for Humanity project.
- Avalon Cares (2005) was temporarily formed to assist with the Indonesian Tsunami. Then, it continued to raise funds for the disaster following Hurricane Katrina.
- Operation Circle Care This campaign raises funds and care-packages for active Military personnel overseas each holiday season. It is run by Circle Sanctuary in Wisconsin.
- Gaia Community of Kansas City, Missouri gathered over 1,033 lbs of food for the Harvesters Food Pantry in July of 2011.
- Food Bank Collections occur yearly at many local Pagan Pride Day events and other Pagan festivals.
Need more proof? Circle Sanctuary has posted its own list of charitable Pagan organizations.
But the Internet doesn’t speak for everyone. Do a little research and, without a doubt, you will find countless stories of Pagans committing acts of goodness. Each day there are Pagans standing in line at soup kitchens, donating goods, corresponding with prisoners, and raising funds to help the needy – Pagan and non-Pagan alike. Yet none of this even touches upon the enormous care that many Pagans take in protecting the Earth.
If you dig a little deeper, you’ll find the stories that are never reported such as the witch who devotes her career to helping abused children. Have you heard about the the loving struggles endured by the many witches who turn their homes into foster shelters for homeless pets? What about the witches that contribute their time and energy, without pay, to promoting interfaith communication? Finally, there are countless Pagan clergy who spend hours, listening, consoling and advising others.
I ask again: Does a faith need a hospital to make it socially worthy? Can smaller and private philanthropic acts serve the same purpose? Isn’t the anonymous donor equally as generous as the guy who flies a flag, creates a logo and generates a press release to herald his gift?
The fact is: Pagans are doing good. The sacrifices being made are that of time, money, energy and spirit towards the betterment of family, friends, society, and the Earth. If we need evidence, we have it ten-fold. However, I don’t believe that we need to prove anything to anyone. Our sacrifice is just that…our sacrifice. And, we’ll take it up with our Gods. Just as others can take it up with their Gods.
Photo Credits:
“Hospital Bed” Courtesy of Flikr’s YODCOX!
“Hands Holding Earth” Courtesy of Soil-net.com
The post Doing Good: Pagans Don’t Run Hospitals appeared first on Heather Greene.
