The Seven Deadly Sins of a former Pagan organization
A number of years ago when I was living in a small Midwestern city, I was one of a diverse group of Pagans who decided to form an organization to serve the local Pagan community. A few months ago (about two years after I'd moved from there), the organization imploded. As one of the founders, I'm sad that it ended on such bad terms. Fortunately, another group in the area has been created, so there is still a public Pagan presence.
From the time I lived there and from the listserv after I left, there were patterns I noticed in the underlying assumptions of the community that I believe contributed to its downfall. I believe the Pagan community in general should be careful of these pitfalls. Of course, other people may have different ideas; these are my opinions, and I present them in the spirit of giving Pagans on my friends list food for thought as to what makes a faith community healthy or unhealthy.
So here, as I see them, were the seven deadly sins of said organization:
1) You don't think the way I do.
(City name) Area Pagans was designed from its inception to be what its name implies - a network of Pagans and Pagan groups of all religions in the greater (city name) area. An interfaith group can only work if everyone accepts that members are allowed to have diverse beliefs. People can in good conscience disagree with each other, as long as all are allowed to express their opinions. When anyone is either demonized or silenced for expressing an opposing viewpoint, the group falls apart.
2) You don't do what I want you to do.
CAP provided local Pagans with many opportunities - classes, picnics, rituals, socializing, food drives - but mandated nothing. If people wanted to come to classes, they were welcome; if they were too busy to attend or simply weren't interested, that was fine, too. Unfortunately, it was not uncommon for people to take offense if there wasn't enough interest expressed in a given activity. Low or non-existent attendance was far too often seen as an attack.
At the same time, officers - local Pagans who volunteered their time by performing a specific service - were frequently expected to go well beyond their duties as spelled out in the by-laws, and were taken to task if they did not. Often non-officers would complain that "the officers" weren't providing X service to the community, rather than volunteering to provide the service themselves.
3) We have to keep this secret
When this organization began, two separate listservs were created - on for everyone (general discussion, announcements of any and all Pagan -related events in the area, etc.) and one exclusively for officers. I thought this was a bad idea from the start. It's fine to have a separate list for the nuts and bolts discussions and planning necessary for any organization, but it should be open to anyone wishing to join. Otherwise, the rest of the group feels disenfranchised, rumors of a secret cabal can start spreading, and in some circumstances, secrecy can foster unethical behavior since the population at large can't know what's going on in order to object.
It also seemed that the initial response to any problem was to keep it secret. Often someone with a problem with an individual or an individual's actions would talk to others behind the "problem's" back. There was not enough face-to-face, let's work this out communication. When there was a problem that affected the whole group, there was not nearly enough open dialogue, because many believed that was creating drama.
When problems arise, they need to be aired publicly with everyone given a chance to weigh in. Otherwise, resentments fester, rumors fly, and nothing gets resolved.
4)We don't need no stinkin' proof/For my psychic powers tell me so.
During my time in CAP, I was repeatedly amazed at how quickly concepts such as innocent until proven guilty, rules of evidence, and the difference between fact and opinion were thrown out the window. Rumors were far too often believed without question. If person A claimed person B had cast a spell on person A's family, then person B must be guilty, even if person B denied it. And for the most part I'm talking about accusations of this nature, ie "He's a psychic vampire!" rather than observable actions, ie "You said X on such and such date." With such charges, no one could prove their innocence.
Then there was the problem of taking offense - not at someone's actions, not at the words someone uttered - but at what the offended person knew what the other person was thinking. There is no way for anyone to truly know what another person is thinking, and it's unfair to act on that assumption. Misunderstandings will occur in any group, but they can only be resolved if all parties are willing to clarify what they said and to listen to each other.
Rumors should either be discounted on the spot or traced back to their origin to be confirmed. All members of any group should be held accountable for their actions, and only their actions, not their (perceived) thoughts or supposed acts of witchcraft. Problems with individuals should be discussed with those individuals, not exclusively behind their back.
5)I'm in charge/You're in charge
Notice there is no "we" in there. There seemed to be little sense of group ownership in the organization. The entire purpose of the organization was to empower all local Pagans, but not everyone saw it that way.
On the one hand, there were many who wanted to be leaders (or Elders) and recognized as such, and saw holding office as a way to do that. Ideally, holding office should be seen as a service one performs for the group, and members should take turns.
On the other hand, many without offices would complain if something wasn't done, but weren't willing to do it themselves. The assumption seemed to be that only officers could do things such as suggest a picnic in the park or offer classes, when in fact anyone could announce plans at a business meeting or post them to the list.
All-volunteer organizations work best if all members feel ownership in the group and are willing to perform the tasks that they want to see done, and holding office is seen as a temporary service rather than a path to power or an obligation. Officers should perform the duties spelled out in the by-laws, but should not be obligated to perform others.
6) The rules don't apply to me.
For an organization to work, everyone needs to be held to the same standard. No exception. Without an ethic of reciprocity, organizations collapse.
7) Pagans are evil.
I was surprised at the amount of mistrust towards Pagans in a Pagan community. Actions weren't inappropriate; people were bad. With the concept of evil Pagans running around everywhere, the organization was doomed to failure. Not all Pagans are bullies, not all Pagans are practitioners of the Dark Arts, and not all Pagans plot to destroy Pagan organizations. We need to respect the right of all Pagans, regardless of beliefs, to exist and congregate in the local community.
It is my firm belief that Paganism is greater than Pagans. I still have scars from my experiences in CAP, but they're healing. I wish everyone in the former group well. May you all find a faith community that is home to you. Blessed be.
From the time I lived there and from the listserv after I left, there were patterns I noticed in the underlying assumptions of the community that I believe contributed to its downfall. I believe the Pagan community in general should be careful of these pitfalls. Of course, other people may have different ideas; these are my opinions, and I present them in the spirit of giving Pagans on my friends list food for thought as to what makes a faith community healthy or unhealthy.
So here, as I see them, were the seven deadly sins of said organization:
1) You don't think the way I do.
(City name) Area Pagans was designed from its inception to be what its name implies - a network of Pagans and Pagan groups of all religions in the greater (city name) area. An interfaith group can only work if everyone accepts that members are allowed to have diverse beliefs. People can in good conscience disagree with each other, as long as all are allowed to express their opinions. When anyone is either demonized or silenced for expressing an opposing viewpoint, the group falls apart.
2) You don't do what I want you to do.
CAP provided local Pagans with many opportunities - classes, picnics, rituals, socializing, food drives - but mandated nothing. If people wanted to come to classes, they were welcome; if they were too busy to attend or simply weren't interested, that was fine, too. Unfortunately, it was not uncommon for people to take offense if there wasn't enough interest expressed in a given activity. Low or non-existent attendance was far too often seen as an attack.
At the same time, officers - local Pagans who volunteered their time by performing a specific service - were frequently expected to go well beyond their duties as spelled out in the by-laws, and were taken to task if they did not. Often non-officers would complain that "the officers" weren't providing X service to the community, rather than volunteering to provide the service themselves.
3) We have to keep this secret
When this organization began, two separate listservs were created - on for everyone (general discussion, announcements of any and all Pagan -related events in the area, etc.) and one exclusively for officers. I thought this was a bad idea from the start. It's fine to have a separate list for the nuts and bolts discussions and planning necessary for any organization, but it should be open to anyone wishing to join. Otherwise, the rest of the group feels disenfranchised, rumors of a secret cabal can start spreading, and in some circumstances, secrecy can foster unethical behavior since the population at large can't know what's going on in order to object.
It also seemed that the initial response to any problem was to keep it secret. Often someone with a problem with an individual or an individual's actions would talk to others behind the "problem's" back. There was not enough face-to-face, let's work this out communication. When there was a problem that affected the whole group, there was not nearly enough open dialogue, because many believed that was creating drama.
When problems arise, they need to be aired publicly with everyone given a chance to weigh in. Otherwise, resentments fester, rumors fly, and nothing gets resolved.
4)We don't need no stinkin' proof/For my psychic powers tell me so.
During my time in CAP, I was repeatedly amazed at how quickly concepts such as innocent until proven guilty, rules of evidence, and the difference between fact and opinion were thrown out the window. Rumors were far too often believed without question. If person A claimed person B had cast a spell on person A's family, then person B must be guilty, even if person B denied it. And for the most part I'm talking about accusations of this nature, ie "He's a psychic vampire!" rather than observable actions, ie "You said X on such and such date." With such charges, no one could prove their innocence.
Then there was the problem of taking offense - not at someone's actions, not at the words someone uttered - but at what the offended person knew what the other person was thinking. There is no way for anyone to truly know what another person is thinking, and it's unfair to act on that assumption. Misunderstandings will occur in any group, but they can only be resolved if all parties are willing to clarify what they said and to listen to each other.
Rumors should either be discounted on the spot or traced back to their origin to be confirmed. All members of any group should be held accountable for their actions, and only their actions, not their (perceived) thoughts or supposed acts of witchcraft. Problems with individuals should be discussed with those individuals, not exclusively behind their back.
5)I'm in charge/You're in charge
Notice there is no "we" in there. There seemed to be little sense of group ownership in the organization. The entire purpose of the organization was to empower all local Pagans, but not everyone saw it that way.
On the one hand, there were many who wanted to be leaders (or Elders) and recognized as such, and saw holding office as a way to do that. Ideally, holding office should be seen as a service one performs for the group, and members should take turns.
On the other hand, many without offices would complain if something wasn't done, but weren't willing to do it themselves. The assumption seemed to be that only officers could do things such as suggest a picnic in the park or offer classes, when in fact anyone could announce plans at a business meeting or post them to the list.
All-volunteer organizations work best if all members feel ownership in the group and are willing to perform the tasks that they want to see done, and holding office is seen as a temporary service rather than a path to power or an obligation. Officers should perform the duties spelled out in the by-laws, but should not be obligated to perform others.
6) The rules don't apply to me.
For an organization to work, everyone needs to be held to the same standard. No exception. Without an ethic of reciprocity, organizations collapse.
7) Pagans are evil.
I was surprised at the amount of mistrust towards Pagans in a Pagan community. Actions weren't inappropriate; people were bad. With the concept of evil Pagans running around everywhere, the organization was doomed to failure. Not all Pagans are bullies, not all Pagans are practitioners of the Dark Arts, and not all Pagans plot to destroy Pagan organizations. We need to respect the right of all Pagans, regardless of beliefs, to exist and congregate in the local community.
It is my firm belief that Paganism is greater than Pagans. I still have scars from my experiences in CAP, but they're healing. I wish everyone in the former group well. May you all find a faith community that is home to you. Blessed be.