|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Editorial:
If You Hold It, They Will Come... Not.
It isn't often I write from a personal perspective in this forum, but experience has shown me that, amidst the plethora of events held, two types of conferences are problematic, at best - those held to bring Pagans together on common ground, and those designed to promote true interfaith dialogue.
The former usually ends up catering to a small crowd of die-hard individuals, and the latter is usually deceptively non-interfaith.
There are reasons people don't attend conferences of these types, and the top two are: 1) They see no point, and 2) They aren't invited, or the rules of the event prohibit their participation.
Unlike conferences held for business purposes, where participants are paid by their employers to attend (along with having the registration fee paid by the employer), or those held by various fraternal organizations (Moose or Elks Lodge, etc.), most Pagans see no tangible benefits to conferences which may gather those of different traditions in one place, for discussion, lectures, or other formatted activities. They have to pay from their own pocket to attend, sometimes travel hundreds of miles, and after a day or weekend of talking, they return to their home town with little to show for the effort but ideas. And those ideas are rather difficult to implement, because the situation within society is just not conducive to such Pagan progress. A case in point would be discussions about Pagan clergy. Yes, it would be fantastic if Pagans had a seminary for training. But who has a few extra million dollars to finance such an enterprise? And, again, without the advanced degrees in theology from accredited institutions, Pagan clergy will not be recognized as legitimate by mainstream organizations, such as hospitals, colleges and such, where they might wish to practice their ministry. Being ordained on-line and receiving a piece of paper declaring the individual "Reverend So-and-So" isn't good enough as credentials. Nothing, however, is going to change on this front in the near future, so talking about it is just a waste of breath.
With that being the case with many topics brought up at these conferences, Pagans most often simply decline to attend at all.
To compound this problem of low attendance, some groups organizing conferences restrict attendance to those who are representing organized Pagan groups. Solitaries, in other words, are not welcome - as if the input of solitaries is worthless. There is no better way to alienate the majority of the Pagan populace than by setting up such exclusive gatherings. Making these events "elitist" defeats the purpose of Pagan commonality when it comes to educating the general public and dispelling the myths about these traditions. The solitaries are the ones who must "tough it out" in the day to day world, without the backing of a group. To force them to join a group just to participate in a Pagan conference is unfair, especially since Paganism promotes individual choice. To deny them the right to attend is the worst kind of discrimination.
This "elitist" attitude extends to interfaith conferences held by many organized groups. Some see a gathering of Christians, Jews and Muslims as "interfaith", when the proper word to describe it is "ecumenical". All three groups honor the same deity so, while they may approach their forms of worship and dogma differently, they start with common ground. Adding Buddhists, Hindus, Native Americans or Pagans to the mix - in their eyes - would drive the "legitimate" faiths away. Again, discrimination, by those who should know better.
Take this a step farther, when some groups acknowledge certain religions, but continue to exclude others. Christians and Buddhists might gather for interfaith dialogue, but Pagans aren't welcome, even when they volunteer to attend. A teen spiritual gathering, supposedly open to all faiths, alienates Pagan attendees by opening the event with prayers to "the Heavenly Father".
And, Gods forbid Pagans should try to hold an interfaith event, and invite representatives from all religions! The Christians and the Jews shy away in horror, thinking we're trying to corrupt them, when we're only trying to answer their questions in an open forum.
The key to organizing a conference, I guess, would be to "get real". Making money off the event should not be the primary purpose, nor should "breaking even". If you believe in what you're trying to do, open the doors, encourage volunteer contributions of time and material, and let all those who are interested come and take part! Don't let fear, prejudice or some "elitist" view spoil what well could be a productive event. All human beings are equal, and all should be welcome.
Otherwise, expect a fairly empty hall.
Home Page Current Issue Past Issues The Frater's Domain Quill's Corner