(originally published in Out Of the Shadows: July 2000)
Independence Day. It is supposed to represent our nation's independence from British Rule, but over the years I have used it to celebrate independence from my parents, from bad relationships, from jobs I had left, and even from a mainstream religion that made me feel like the woman illustrated in many tarot decks on the eight of swords -- bound and helpless.
In the United States of America I am supposed to have the right of freedom of religion. Independence from the Church of England, which has been expanded (at least according to the law) to freedom of all religions. But do I, do you, really have "freedom of religion"? Let me ask it another way, do you worry about offense or persecution before you choose to wear a pentagram or other pagan related clothing/jewelry item in public? If you're like me, that answer has to be "yes". I, for one, worry about the reactions of employers for instance. But, if we truly have freedom of religion, I shouldn't have to. But I do, so I must infer that I don't really have this right.
And please don't tell me that I legally can't lose my job because I'm pagan. I live in Ohio, a no-fault state. No reason has to be given for termination. And, on a practical level, I'm NOT willing to "stand up" for all pagans in a court battle to prove my religious freedom, or lack of it. And in a country that was partially founded on the concept of freedom of religion, I shouldn't have to.
But even within the pagan community I'm not convinced that I have freedom of religion. There is such a diversity of paths within the pagan community and even though we have banded together in a loose fashion of sorts, there is not necessarily acceptance of all paths. I have listened and read the judgmental opinions of those who would try to regulate my spiritual journey.
I am Wiccan. I found this path after declaring my independence from an organized Christian church that I felt no longer taught or followed the teachings of the man known as Jesus. I had joined the Christian Church after declaring my independence from an even more controlling group I had grown up in. As a Wiccan I felt, and still feel, free.
When I began this Wiccan path I had no formal teacher, other than the teachers whom I found in books, and the pagans who lived their paths within my view. I attended an open circle here and there, but I walked my path in search of a relationship with the Lady, Lord and the Earth I had taken for granted for so long, alone. There were enough people available to me to ask questions, but most of my answers came from personal journeys.
I brought along on this journey all of the lessons I had learned on previous journeys, the path of my childhood, the myriad of Christian churches I attended as a young adult, various teachings of religions studied while trying to find my "one true path". In Wicca I felt I could integrate all that I am in worship. That I had found the one path where only my experience of the Divine could judge me. And since I believe that Lady and Lord dwell within me (within all), I was my only judge of whether or not I was walking, living, worshipping correctly. No one else had the right to judge the validity of my path. All of my rituals were perfectly planned and experienced, because they came from within, they came from the Divine. Unfortunately, this has not been my experience within the pagan community. I have felt compelled, more than once, to prove my "paganness" and my knowledge level.
Recently, I made it official by accepting an official role within my coven. But this was a "judgment" by my peers, requested by me. Truly, because of freedom of religion, I, and anyone else, could declare any labels, any standing within the pagan community, and I do not have the right to judge them except on a personal level. Yes, this means that I must practice greater discernment when choosing a teacher, but if I want this right, I must extend it to others.
Freedom of religion to me means exactly that: freedom. Freedom to worship (or not) as I choose, without judgment or constraint. It also means that as long as it harms none, I give the same freedom to others. I make it a conscious effort NOT to judge or bash the paths of others, be they pagan or Christian, or any other label. No, I do not feel that I have freedom of religion in the United States of America. But I don't even feel that I have it within my pagan community, and it has to start somewhere.
I publicly make the commitment to personally make a conscious effort to practice freedom of religion for everyone. May freedom of religion start with each of us.
