Pagans say they're nothing to be afraid of

SAVANNAH - For hundreds, maybe thousands of years, forms of paganism reigned over human spirituality. But after the rise of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the word "pagan" became synonymous with "evil."

Modern pagans want to change that image.

"Paganism is not something to be feared," said Paige McDuffie of Vidalia. "We're just regular people."

Pagans, wiccans and other followers of "earth-based" spirituality in Athens as well as Savannah are gearing up to celebrate the harvest season with a Pagan Pride Day in Bishop Park at 10 a.m. Oct. 24 and with the seventh annual Pagan Pride Festival next Saturday at Emmet Park in Savannah.

Organizers expect up to 300 people to gather for the Savannah festival.

"Our goal is education and awareness, to educate the masses and to be out in the open," said Adriana Aponte, 37, founder of the Savannah Pagan Pride Festival, the first in the state in 2002.

Today, the festival is one of at least five in Georgia and hundreds around the world.

Pagans resist structure or definition, usually recognizing anyone who describes him- or herself as a pagan. Pagan Pride.org lists definitions of pagans, but at the top is "honoring, revering or worshipping a deity or deities found in pre-Christian, classical, aboriginal or tribal mythology."

Paganism also can include shamanism, "earth-based spirituality" or a focus on a feminine god. Practitioners accept such labels as wicca, witchcraft, druid, neo-pagan, Native American spirituality or asatru. The festival brings them together under the umbrella of paganism.

Across the nation, forms of paganism seem to be moving into the mainstream.

In New York City, pagan high priest Dan Halloran is a Republican candidate for a district city council seat.

Halloran describes his faith as Theodism, "a cultural, religious and martial organization; dedicated to reviving the folkways of the Norman peoples of Northern Europe," according to his Web site.

The Unitarian Universalist Church has recognized wicca and oth

Comment on "Pagans say they're nothing to be afraid of"