A reader writes, "I've recently begun following a Pagan path, and I'm meeting some resistance from my friends and family. They keep pointing out that there aren't any Pagan role models to look up to in today's society. Christianity has a number of famous people who set an example for others with their spirituality and good works. There are a lot of Jewish people who can be held up as an example of their faith. But everyone keeps asking me where all the famous Pagans are. I don't know what to tell them, but I'm wondering if this is something I should even worry about."
Well, your friends and family do make a valid point - there aren't a lot of famous Pagans in today's mainstream society. And honestly, that's partly because there's still some degree of secrecy about following a Pagan path. People may be concerned about losing jobs, kids, housing, or whatever if they reveal their Pagan beliefs. Despite the fact that modern Paganism has come a long way in the past few decades, it's still something that people tend to keep private. And while we've talked about "celebrity Pagans" being few and far between, there are certainly Pagans out there who are part of mainstream pop culture. But does someone really have to be famous or mainstream to be a role model? Read more: Pagans and Role Models
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Well, your friends and family do make a valid point - there aren't a lot of famous Pagans in today's mainstream society. And honestly, that's partly because there's still some degree of secrecy about following a Pagan path. People may be concerned about losing jobs, kids, housing, or whatever if they reveal their Pagan beliefs. Despite the fact that modern Paganism has come a long way in the past few decades, it's still something that people tend to keep private. And while we've talked about "celebrity Pagans" being few and far between, there are certainly Pagans out there who are part of mainstream pop culture. But does someone really have to be famous or mainstream to be a role model? Read more: Pagans and Role Models
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Well, there is a role model. She may not follow the pagan path per se, but she is a high priestess of a coven in the United States and has been lobbying in D.C. to have Wicca recognized as a religion. I don’t know what her name is off hand, but I’m sure if you Google the subject, something will come up. There are also organizations that lobby for their rights such as being recognized as a not for profit establishment. If anyone is looking for role models, look in the political arena and you will find the role models
I believe that if you are willing to be openly Pagan and are willing to defend what you believe. To me you are a role model to all of us.
@DCMerkle – I think you must mean Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary. http://www.circlesanctuary.org/
The first that comes to mind is Author Scott Cunningham. His writings are marvelous, but beyond that his life was also worthy of being noted. Marian Zimmer Bradley has also been involved in Paganism. She has also been involved in the Society for Creative Anachronism, a group who recreates the Middle Ages and spends time teaching and offering a better understanding of history and chivalry to school children by giving demonstrations at local schools. (I am also a member and have been involved in these demos for years.) Historically, Socrates, Plato, Homer, Hypatia (who was killed by Christians for being the librarian of the Alexandrian Library), Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, and those who were masacred for their supposed beliefs during the Burning Times.
I think that the number of so called “famous” chiristian role models is the problem. Most of them are preachers who make a large income from being famous and christian. Most are some kind of televagelist. Not all. There are some who are famous for their good works, but again, someone is using their good works to generate publicity and income. Mother Teresa is one, but the Roman Catholic faith uses her to generate publicity and to gain converts to their faith, which again generates more income. Maybe I am cynical but that is how I see it. Again, it is not all of them, but there are enough of them to make me wonder about it.
Issac Bonewits. He lead a life that was exemplary. Who says roll models have to be living?
Oho—we have plenty of distinguished people within Western Paganisms, all of whom can be respected and admired. Pagans are encouraged to think and act for themselves. The best role model you can find is the one facing you in the mirror.
Margot Adler, author of the must read for any pagan–”Drawing Down the Moon”, is a well known, highly respected mainstream journalist.
Christopher Penczak is one of my role models. He’s a wonderful teacher through his books and his spirituality. As a once Christian, I know that the families in question are looking for a “Famous” minister of the faith of some kind. Who does good works as well as teach. There are MANY out there. Dianne Sylvan the author of Circle Within is also a wonderful role model. She teaches how to follow the path with prayer and worship rather than just spells. It’s a beautiful book.
Maybe her xtian “friends” haven’t heard of Ray Buckland, Gerald Gardner, Scott Cunningham, Christopher Penczak, Aaron Leitch, Raven Grimassi, Janet Farrar, Gavin Bone, Selena Fox, Laurie Cabot, Sully Erna and a ton of other “famous Pagans” because they haven’t taken the time to educate themselves about the Pagan community. Because we are not a mainstream religion, you won’t usually find our “famous Pagans” in the mainstream headlines. Well, with exception to Sully Erna.
It may impress (or possibly upset)her friends to find that Selena Fox worked very hard to finally have the pentacle allowed on American soldiers’ headstones. That’s definitely worthy of role model status. It’s not surprising that that they can’t name any role models outside of their chosen religion; they generally aren’t encouraged to educate themselves about or even acknowledge any others.
Well I think the biggest thing about this is that we(Pagans) do not place our Faith/ way of life as anyones business.. we tend to become famous because of who we are not who we think God/dess is… so there may be many Famous Pagans out there but they are famous because they are great actors, doctors, scientist, etc.. not because they are Pagan. you can tell by what they don’t say more than the religious flag waving.
Zsusana Budahpest – from Hungary – is High Priestess of Susan B Anthony Coven #1, famous lady, traveling the country, will have a large fest soon, in Calif, someone worth listening and reading of. She has a newsletter, and lots of interesting information on her web site.
Selena Fox from Circle Sanctuary has lobbied for pagan symbols on memorials for fallen service men and women. She is known in mainstream circles as a Pagan activist.
I have a bit of a strong opinion on this subject. It springs from my everyday feelings about role models. I believe that parents should be role models for their children and not pawn them off on some basketball player who may rape someone and leave you holding the bag of explanation anyway. They need someone they can look up to and be proud of every day. Only you can control what your child sees as right or wrong.
Pagans, even the activists, tend to be opposite of the ‘in your face’ types that our society makes into role models. We do not proselytize and therefore we do not seek publicity or attention. If you absolutely must have role models to present to your friends and family, first explain that the media is not much about promoting pagans because we are different and don’t support things they see as newsworthy so you may not find them on CNN. You could mention Feminist and Goddess Advocate Karen Tate, who brings to light the horrifying injustices done to women around the world and her efforts to eradicate inequality. Tell them about Starhawk, who travels the world at great peril to herself to fight for basic human rights. Explain to them Jean Shinoda Bolin who is trying to raise consciousness about saving our world … not to mention all whose lives have been lost with GreenPeace and other such organizations, whether pagan or not they inspire us to make this world a better place. To save our planet so our children, grandchildren and 7 generations beyond that have a clean and safe place to live. Those are our heros, those are our role models!
Well said, how many times have we seen lately sporting stars and high profile actors (I am sure there is one that springs to mind immediately) that our children look up to, getting into all sorts of trouble. If you look at yourself in the mirror and you like what you see then that is the best role model your children can get. Being a pagen is more about a feeling about who and what you are and not about what anyone else thinks. People are always afraid of what they don’t understand. Ignorance is not always bliss.
There are always role models, but if you look close, these role models always fail, or fade away. Tiger Woods, Jerry Falwell, Mel Gibson. These people have all been role models, but they have also been people that have fallen off the “high horse”, so to speak. Being a role model isnt always a good thing. Instead of looking for a role model, be your own role model. Show your friends and family that you are the role model. “Be who you are and say what you will, because those that matter dont mind, and those that mind, dont matter”. Dr. Suess. If you are true to your own beliefs, then your friends and family will see that you are the strong role model that they thing you need to look for.
I think that as pagans we focus on changing the area around us. This means that many are local heroes who donate time or money to a park or help a family that is sick or hungry. These differences that we make are not always newsworthy, but the families that use the park or can feed their kids are sure to think of the help in a positive way. We make small differences every day. This means that the changes happen gradually. Gradual changes are the least noticed.
I think that the real heroes are the moral people who use their gifts and talents to make the world a better place. Anyone who does this pagan or not is a role model that I would be glad to have influence my kids.
I agree that role models tend to fade away or fail and that is because people watch for failure when you are at the top. I feel that pagans are intelligent in the fact that we do not want to be put on a pedestal and poked at, prodded and used as an example of what every pagan should be and do. There are too many branches and belief structures for a one size fits all example, and we need to educate people on that before we have a couple of people stand up and shout “Hey I am a pagan. This is what I think.”
I would also like to point out that many of the people who are considered role models for other religions were not made that way until they were dead. We have recently been made a more mainstream religion and fortunately few activists have passed away. In addition many notable people who are role model material have not yet came out of the broom closet.
I agree that Selena Fox, Chris Penczak, Isaac Bonewits and Ray Buckland are excellent role models. But I would add Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, Paul Beyerl and Juniper as well. I’d be very pleased if a kid I had looked up to any of them! (If you don’t know them…that’s what Search buttons are for…)
One of my personal role models, whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, is Phyllis Curott. She has spent raising awareness of the pagan community both here and internationally. She has worked with the Parliment of World Religions for several years as an advocate. There are several videoes on youtube.com from this year’s conference that could be helpful for you to talk to your family & friends. Here’s an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0Ed2gHy0CY&playnext=1&videos=Ta0WHAbQlF4
As far as I’m concerned, why do you need a role model? Just look at how patient Mother Earth is, just see the light from the Sun, the Air giving you breath, the Water quenching your thirst, and the Fire providing you with heat. Just think of the gift the Goddess has given you. Everybody in my community knows about the path I decided to follow, and believe me, I’ve lost more friends than what I’ve ever gained in my life. Some people here even fears me for they don’t understand it. Paganism is not well known in South Africa.
Who ever said that role models have to be famous? Just look at the names listed in other comments! All of these great people are famous in the Pagan community and have done wonderful things and have been great teachers. Just because they aren’t so called “mainstream”, does not make them any less worthy of being a role model. In our soceity, it really doesn’t take a whole lot to be considered a role model. Think about it… does the talent to act, sing, play an instrument, game or sport qualify one to be a role model? Not in my book. It is the way you live your life and carry yourself and the deeds that you do. OK, granted, many of these “famous” people do lead clean lives and do great things to give back, but there are even more non-famous people, both Pagan and other who do as well. Why aren’t they considered role models.
When I was growing up, my role models were my parents and I hope that my children considered me theirs. Yes, I did admire many famous people, but I never considered them role models or heros. If children could find their role models at home, they wouldn’t have to look elsewhere.
Sadly, when the reader’s friend asked ‘where are the pagan role models?’, they were probably just trying to discount or discourage the reader’s decision to explore a new path. As in: “I don’t know any Pagans who are in the headlines. I don’t want to research it or know about it for sure so you shouldn’t be on this path.” Obviously, as shown here, there are plenty of Pagan role models from a number of different traditions.
THis type of attitude is pitiful. If any of the so called famous people of other faiths are truly in it for the fame, they are not good role models anyway. One should not hold them up for their “fame” but for their good works. A better argument from the reader’s friends would be, “What are the good works or good social contributions that have been made by Pagans.”
http://stylishcorpse.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/fame.jpg
The Kind of ‘Fame’ the above link illustrates, Very seldom comes to the Truely Great Teacher.
The Great Meaning of lessons learned are generally expressed in languages of the heart and Famous only in the Magnitude in which ones own heart is spoken to.
I very much enjoyed reading this thread and was touched by something each person had to say.
You could always look at every single pre-Christian European or Middle Easterner out there, they would all qualify as Pagans and followed while not the exact same religions the same Gods in a similar fashion. There’s a LOT to choose from, I’d say people like Socrates, Cleopatra, Hypatia, Arminius, and Augustus count as Pagan role models.
What about Vivienne Crowley and Ronald Hutton – both “out” Pagans holding doctorates in the mainstream world while being teachers about Paganism. They show that Pagans can be (and often are) “thinking people” with real brains, and not the easily led, easily brainwashed members of some sort of cult!
As role models, they are also people who have worked hard to succees in their chosen fields, without compromising their beliefs.
“Ronald Hutton is Professor of History at the Department of History, University of Bristol (UK) – a leading centre for historical research at one of Britain’s most prestigious universities.” (Unversity of Bristol website)
Vivianne Crowley is an author, university lecturer, psychologist, and a High Priestess and teacher of the Wiccan religion…..Crowley is a Jungian psychologist who lectures on the psychology of religion at King’s College London, University of London. She holds a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of London. She is also the adjunct professor at the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Wikkipedia)
What about Vivienne Crowley and Ronald Hutton – both “out” Pagans holding doctorates in the mainstream world while being teachers about Paganism.
Actually Professor Hutton is not an “out” Pagan, He IS an Expert in His field and Deserves the Respect of His position and Intelligence. Definitely a Role Model and an Example of an Exemplary man of Letters. His ‘Outness’ is Presumtive and more importantly in this circumstance False.
I wish younger ones would look at what i do as a wiccan high preist. To provide for my family i built my home and worked two jobs and went to college at the same time as well as building my home. I do charity work and help christian as well as pagan members and i am also opening the pagan prayer grounds here in alabama as well.
I know Pagans who are Doctors, Firefighters, Police Officers, Disaster responders, Teachers, etc. We have the same role models as any group. But If I had to name a current one that stands out it would be Patrick McCollum