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Seeking Ideas and Thought on the Future of Paganism and the Correllian Tradition

Star Foster, over at Patheos.com has been discussing the Future of Paganism, and I thought this was very interesting. She will be coming on Pagans Tonight this Sunday.

I asked Rev. Don about this and he agreed to discuss this next Tuesday on the Pagans Tonight Radio Show.

So I decided that this will be a great question to ask, and to help us focus forward. I would love your opinions as there is not right or wrong, just ideas.

Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Parimal Gandhi on August 26, 2010 at 2:51am
Dear Sir,
I would have loved to give my comments but I am still a beginner. Basically, I don't know what is I don't know what is paganism. But I belive only the sacred mystic arts & sacred knowledge can save this world.
Permalink Reply by teddy13ljc on August 26, 2010 at 5:15am
I believe we will see paganism grow by leaps and bounds in the future. The reason i say this is the media out there for teens/young adults is yes fiction however it is written/produced ect in such ways as to make curious young minds look for answers. I can see where many of these books and such will draw in lots who are interested and help others to understand us way better if they take the time to research and look as well. by targeting the 13-25ish these authors are targetting ones who have open minds, have not been closed off by the church and who at that age will look into other things on their own.

I realize alot of people get frustrated with the teens thinking they are "edward" or "jacob" or what to know how to be. for me instead of lookin at it as apain to deal with it is an opportunity to teach a young mind who will be shaping the future.

When you add to this the many moralistic wars going on in various countries lead by the organized churches.. i.e. the fight against gay rights, the fight against the muslims, the extremists against the church.. this too turns off many impressionable young people and has them searching for answers elsewhere. the 60's and vietnam are proof of this. how many young minds turned to love and peace and freedom thru various means fighting the church and the government? it can easily happen again.

yes this will take a number of years to occur however it is slowly happening before our eyes and we have a huge opportunity to educate so many if we take it and use the things out there to our advantage instead of condemning like other religions do.
Permalink Reply by Rev. Michael on August 26, 2010 at 8:04am
At this time, it is reported that Paganism/Wicca is growing by leaps and bounds. Many have come out of the "Religions of the Book" frustrated with no answers. We have to be ready for these folks, we have to be organized and on our game as they say! People in general are looking for answers that traditional spiritual paths are not providing or they are not finding them. Ours is not a faith of morals in the traditional sense, meaning someone has to be judged and someone has to be wrong. Ours is a faith of ethics, this is one of the main things that I believe is attracting people, live ethically, and harm none. In being open to the universe and it's possibilities we are ready and prepared to accept almost anything. Magick is in the air and we call on it regularly. Some folks today call that being "Metaphysical", my experience has taught me that this is a dressed up word for a new age to be socially acceptable as a Witch. But can one be something if they don't live it? For example, can a football player be a football player if he does not put his entire soul and physical body into it? Of course not! Do not fear being a witch, I know that stereo typing still happens, I know that prejudice still goes on, but be proud of your heritage. The future will bring thousands upon thousands into Paganism/Wicca and if we are not prepared for them then we will loose them, let's be ready for that and be open to the future possibilities!
Permalink Reply by John Thomas on August 26, 2010 at 9:07am
Well, let's figure out what draws people to Paganism and Wicca after leaving their previous faith.

I think it is because we vocally express our political correctness in welcoming people regardless of gender, race, and orientation to our religion.

I also think it is because we do not hold physical desires to be evil but to be tempered by our personal ethics as long as the free choice of others is not taken away.

Finally, I believe that our religion does not ask people to believe unreasonable things. Our Paganism does not conflict with Science. But where Science has yet to explain, we remain open to the possibilities of the magical. People love that. It gives them hope and a goal to become something more.
Permalink Reply by Araelus the Stormwolf on August 26, 2010 at 10:59am
The future will unfold, whether we're here or not. It is like an unknown quantity of primordial clay. The most we can hope for, is having a hand in shaping it. Though I hope, that there will be a better tomorrow. . .

I'm an eclectic Witch, the Earth is classroom, the Goddess my teacher. . .
Permalink Reply by Kimberly on August 26, 2010 at 12:17pm
It is because of so many monumental people in our faith, Isaac Bonewits, Selena Fox, Starhawk, Margot Alder, and the very people who started our own school and tradition that Paganism has a future. Through the hard work of our pagan elders it is quickly becoming mainstream and more accepted. I guess a big question is, how do we handle this? Education of pagans and non-pagans alike. More people outside of our faith need to know that we essentially believe in the very same God they do, we just view it differently and worship differently. And I'm not saying this from an outright Evangelism aspect, just casual conversation with people we know and meet. I have a Christian friend that knows I am Pagan. At first she didn't understand. I am not afraid to engage in coversation with her about our faiths and over the years we have come to a respectful understanding of each others beliefs. Its also about showing the world that we are a peaceful faith and we seek to "harm none". We can easily equate that to the christian "do unto others" and "you reap what you sow". If one has studied comparitive religions, which I did in nursing school, it is so easy to see the comparison and similarities in the worlds religions. Once we have a firm knowledge of that and are comfortable with our path we should be working hard to promote tolerance, love and understanding of others. We should have that in our own faith first before we try to promote it in others. I think to help us focus forward to the whole new world opening up to us we need to look inward with introspection, accept each other and ourselves, be comfortable with our path and move out into the world and let our light shine. I see Starhawk is a great promoter of peace and tolerance and attends many rallies for all causes. I would like to see people from our tradition do the same. Lets take a stand for what we support. There are over 200,000 members at witchschool and the numbers of Pagans not enrolled are many more.....but what could 200,000 people of like mind do for causes that will protect and promote the freedoms and rights of all faiths and cultures. If you cant make a rally, start small like support your local SPCA or ACLU. If you can't afford financial support or travel to a rally, then write a letter or send energy regarding a certain cause. We just need to have our voices heard and for people to see us for who we really are. Witchvox has pagan news so we can see what areas need focus right now. Anyhow, those are my thoughts......Blessings, Kimmy
Permalink Reply by THE ETERNAL WYTCH on August 27, 2010 at 9:46pm
THE FUTURE OF BOTH WILL HAVE TO EXPAND INORDER TO CONTINUE. THE EXPANSION IS GOING THE WAY OF SELF AWARENESS AND EMPOWERMENT AND INTERNAL KNOWING. FOR INSTANCE; I AM THE MAGIK WITH OR WITHOUT THE CANDLES OR OUTER TOOLS. I AM CONJURING IN EVERYMOMENT OF MY THINKING NOT JUST ON CERTAIN DAYS. I AM GOD/DESS AND I NEED NOT BOW TO ANYOTHER FOR I AM CREATOR OF MY OWN LIFE AND REALITY. THATS WHERE WE ARE ALL BEING CALLED AGAIN. THATS WHERE WE ALL STARTED. WELL THATS MY OPINION AND THANKS FOR ASKING FOR IT! :)
Permalink Reply by Kimberly on August 28, 2010 at 9:51am
Thats how I roll as well EternalWytch and its true.....so true....Very good point made..
Permalink Reply by Dianus Elvenbough on August 27, 2010 at 10:23pm
Hello,

I would love to see a higher standard of regulation for Correllian Clergy. That's about the only thing I see wrong with the Tradition. I personally submitted myself for counseling when I undertook the path to clergy because I wanted to make sure I was ready to serve my community as a mentally healthy individual. Other religions in the US usually have their clergy complete a psychological screening, and I think it would be a great idea for Correllianism.

As far as Paganism, we're growing every day by leaps and bounds buddy! I can't wait to see where we are twenty years from now!

Love and Light,
Dianus Elvenbough
Permalink Reply by Kevin R. Cannon on August 29, 2010 at 2:33pm
As solitude Wiccan for many years and now in a circle at a U.U church and I think Wicca is out of the closet and growing.

For the future of Paganism? Paganism was here in the beginning and will continue to be a spiritual force in the future.

Blessed Be.
Permalink Reply by MoonJoy on August 29, 2010 at 2:53pm
I would love to see Paganism become some sort of example of unity, that would show the followers of other faiths that every single person on this planet walks toward Deity, no matter what they call their gods.

Some years ago, the Dalai Lama came to Montreal and organized a "praying" gathering, where all people of all walks of faith were invited to pray, each in their own manner, for the good of humanity. Those who turned up were Jews, Christians, Catholics, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, etc etc. Even some atheists came.

I wish to see Paganism as a living example of that sort of attitude toward others, of tolerance and respect for all faiths, on a planetary level.

From another take, I think Paganism, as it is now, can only continue to grow and move forward. In the near future, I think Paganism needs to focus on getting recognition and respect from the mainsteam faiths (with a view of then exemplifying the abovestated, in the long run).

The last thing Paganism is especially suited to do, I think: making people aware of the sacredness of the Earth, and the importance of nurturing it, not mar and destroy it.
Permalink Reply by RowanIsis Coyote Woman on August 30, 2010 at 7:38pm
Many of us have been solitaries for far too long. As we begin to wear our sacred symbols on the outside of our clothing for the world to see, what we find is community. I was mostly alone in my beliefs until about five years ago when I allowed the world to see me for who I truly am. What I found was a large community of like minded people and others who asked me many questions and are now following similar paths.

As we show that we are here to be of service to the world and are not a threat of any kind, we will become more mainstream and accepted and our numbers will continue to grow, because what we put out into the world we will get back. Acceptance, tolerance, tolerance and love in light will bring acceptance and love in light.

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