You Have A Pagan Student In Your School

A Guide For Educators

A student in your school practices a religion with which you may not be familiar. This leaflet is simply to give you information you may need to understand the different experiences this student may share with you, and answer any questions you might have.

What is a Pagan student likely to practice and believe?

Because Pagans generally follow a non-credal, non-dogmatic spirituality, there may be even more variants between Pagan religious beliefs than there are between denominations of Christianity. The most commonly practiced types of Paganism are Wicca, Asatru, Druidry, or simply Paganism, just as a Christian can be Catholic, Presbyterian, or simply Christian. All of these are somewhat different from each other. Because of this, the following statements may not be true for every Pagan you encounter. However, there are some practices that are generally common among Pagans; the student or his parents will tell you if their practices differ significantly from the following:

A Pagan student will celebrate a nature-based, polytheistic religion

A Pagan student will honor Divinity as both God and Goddess, sometimes with a feminist emphasis on the Goddess. One effect of this is that the student is likely to treat gender equality as an assumption.

A Pagan student will celebrate religious ceremonies with small groups on Full Moons and at the beginning and midpoint of each season, rather than with large congregations or at a set weekly schedule. These celebrations are often called 'rituals', 'circles', ‘blots’, or ‘sumbels’, and the congregations called 'covens', 'groves', 'hearths', or 'circles'. Some of the items commonly found on the altar in a Pagan ceremony are statues of the Goddess or God, candles, crystals, wands, the athame, a blunt-edged dagger used as a symbol and not as a tool with which to cut, cups, cauldrons, incense, and a five-pointed star called the pentagram or pentacle.

A Pagan student may wear a symbol of his or her religion as an item of jewelry. The most common symbol is the pentacle, a five-pointed star in a circle. The misconception of the pentagram as a satanic symbol is based upon its inverted use by those groups, in the same manner in which devil-worshippers may use the Christian cross inverted. The meaning of the pentacle as worn by Pagans is rooted in the beliefs of the Greek Pythagoreans, for whom the pentagram embodied perfect balance and wisdom; inserting the star in the circle adds the symbol of eternity and unity. Other jewelry that may be worn includes Celtic knotwork, crosses, and triskelions; Thor’s hammer; the labrys, a double-headed axe used as a symbol by Greco-Roman worship of Cybele; Goddess figurines; crescent and/or full Moon symbols; the Yin-Yang symbol; or the eye of Horus or horns of Isis from Egyptian mythology.

A Pagan student will view Divinity as immanent in Nature and humanity, and view all things as interconnected. This often leads to a concern with ecology and the environment, and a fascination with the cycle of life.

A Pagan student will believe in magic, and may spell it 'magick' to differentiate it from stage illusions. This may include belief in personal energy fields like the Chinese concept of chi, and may also include the use of rituals and tools to dramatize and focus positive thinking and visualization techniques. It does not mean that the student is taught that he can wiggle his nose to clean his room, summon spirits or demons, or do anything else that breaks natural laws, though if young, like any child, a Pagan child may pretend these things. It also does not mean that the student is taught to hex or curse; in our ethical structure such actions are believed to rebound on the sender, and therefore are proscribed.

A Pagan student may believe in reincarnation. It is the most common eschatological belief held among Pagans, but is not universal. However, a Pagan student is unlikely to believe in either Heaven or Hell; she may believe in the Celtic Summerland, a place of rest between incarnations, or Valhalla, a realm of honor in Norse religions.

A Pagan student may call herself a Witch, a Wiccan, a Pagan or Neo-Pagan, a Goddess-worshipper, an Asatruer, a Druid, or a Heathen. He is unlikely to call himself a Warlock, as that is believed to come from the Scottish word for 'oathbreaker'. And while a Pagan student may or may not be offended by the stereotype, she is likely to quickly inform you that the green-skinned, warty-nosed caricature displayed at Halloween bears no relation to her religion.

A Pagan student will be taught ethics emphasizing both personal freedom and personal responsibility

Pagan ethics allow personal freedom within a framework of personal responsibility. The primary basis for Pagan ethics is the understanding that everything is interconnected, that nothing exists without affecting others, and that every action has a consequence. There is no concept of forgiveness for sin in the Pagan ethical system; the consequences of one's actions must be faced and reparations made as necessary against anyone whom you have harmed. There are no arbitrary rules about moral issues; instead, every action must be weighed against the awareness of what harm it could cause. Thus, for example, consensual homosexuality would be a null issue morally because it harms no one, but cheating would be wrong because it harms one's self, one's intellect, one's integrity, and takes unfair advantage of the person from whom you are cheating. The most common forms in which these ethics are stated are the Wiccan Rede, "An it harm none, do as thou wilt," and in the Threefold Law, "Whatsoever you do returns to you threefold."

A Pagan student will hold a paradigm that embraces plurality

Because Pagan religious systems hold that theirs is a way among many, not the only road to truth, and because Pagans explore a variety of Deities among their pantheons, both male and female, a Pagan student will be brought up in an atmosphere that discourages discrimination based on differences such as race or gender, and encourages individuality, self-discovery and independent thought. A Pagan student is also likely to be taught comparative religions; most Pagans are adamant about not forcing their beliefs on the child but rather teaching them many spiritual systems and letting the child decide when he is of age. However, a Pagan student is unlikely to have an emotional concept of Heaven, Hell, or salvation as taught by Christian religions, though he may know about them intellectually. And a Pagan student will be taught to respect the sacred texts of other religions, but is unlikely to believe them literally where they conflict with scientific theory or purport to be the only truth.

A Pagan student is likely to enjoy reading, science, and helping professions

Margot Adler, National Public Radio journalist, reported the results of a survey of Pagans in the 1989 edition of her book, Drawing Down the Moon. The results showed that the one thing Pagans hold in common despite their differences is a voracious appetite for reading and learning. Pagans also seem to be represented strongly in the computer and health-care fields, so the Pagan child is likely to be computer-literate from an early age.

Despite their sometimes misunderstood beliefs, earth-based religions have grown steadily throughout the past few decades, and provide a satisfying spirituality to their practitioners. With the current appreciation of diversity and tolerance, more people now understand that different cultural backgrounds bring perspectives that can be valued instead of feared. It is our hope that as an educator this will provide you with the information you need to be able to facilitate understanding.

For more information contact
Pagan Pride Project – www.paganpride.org - (317) 916-9115.
PMB #119, 133 West Market Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2801

Wearing A Pentacle To School
Dear School Administrator,
We have received a copy of an excerpt from your school district's "(Name of District) Student Conduct Code" which we find very disturbing. The excerpt is quoted:
"The following specific types of speech, dress or expression are prohibited:

Representations of satanic activity that constitute lewd, indecent, or vulgar speech including, but not limited to, representations of killing or sacrificing animals or humans, pentagrams, up-side down crosses or the number 666."
The inclusion of the "pentagram" in this listing is not only inappropriate, it is incorrect. We have enclosed the "F.A.Q's of Witchcraft" in this package for your consideration. The pentagram (pentacle) is a very ancient symbol denoting knowledge and wisdom. It is also the chosen symbol of those who practice the religion of Witchcraft or Wicca. It is a symbol worn for the very same reason that a Christian would wear a cross.
The more important issue here though is that this "policy" of the (School District Name) places your District in serious violation of the "Equal Access Act." This document was sent out to all school administrators in 1995. If you do not have your copy readily available, we have enclosed one in this package. The relevant portion is quoted below:

"Student garb: Students may display religious messages on items of clothing to the same extent that they are permitted to display other comparable messages. Religious messages may not be singled out for suppression, but rather are subject to the same rules as generally apply to comparable messages."
Quite simply out, if your students are permitted to wear crosses, doves, Star of David emblems or other such religious type jewelry, the pentacle must also be allowed. There have be successful lawsuits brought against school districts which have sought to ban some religious symbols while allowing others. We are sure that you would not want to find yourselves in this position due to lack of proper legal advice in these matters. We would suggest that you have your legal representatives review the enclosed documents.
The practice of Witchcraft no more leads to self or socially destructive behavior than the practice of any other religion. To be singled out in this fashion is a violation of our civil rights and certainly sets a bad example of the democratic process for your students. We are sure that you include in your school policies guidelines on tolerance for those of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Please be aware that we too fall under the protection of such guidelines.
We thank you for your sincere attention to this matter. We have no doubt that your intention is to provide a healthy and safe learning environment for all children regardless of religious preference or sociological background.
Sincerely,
(signature)
(encl.)
The F.A.Q's of Witchcraft
The Equal Access Act
Know Your Legal Rights
cc.:
U.S. Department of Education- Field Office
Superintendent of Schools
The Governor's Office
Deputy State Superintendent of Schools
External Affairs

Suggestions For Dealing With Public Schools
Have a copy of the Parent and Student handbook. Be sure to read it through so you have an understanding of the rules and regulations (including dress code - note any rules regarding religious medals or jewelry - it has to be an all or none situation).
Know you child's (children's) teacher and support staff. If you are "out of the broom closet" then be sure to create the environment in which folks can feel comfortable asking questions. Although it is a violation of your civil rights for any member of the school staff to ask you your religion, if you are out of the "broom closet" and it is obvious, information will help quiet any fears that may arise. I have found this to begin some wonderful conversations and allow further understanding in an area that tends to be "homogeneous Christian".
Be involved in the classroom and school, if at all possible. This allows you to have a finger on the pulse of the school, it also allows others in the school to know you as who you are, not what you represent. If unable to actually be "in school" then be sure to develop a relationship with the teacher that allows frequent and open communication.
If you want exercise your ability to have religious days off, you should find out the policy on notification of days off for religious purpose. The school has no right to deem whether your religion is a "valid" religion Ð as this again would be a violation of your civil rights. You could worship kumquats and it could be a high holy kumquat day and they would have to allow an excused absence.
Rules can not be made that single out one religion over the others in public schools. All rules must be inclusive to all or exclusive to all in a public school setting - if they do single out particular religions then they are violating your First Amendment rights. (Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.)
Any and all issues that might arise should be well documented. If possible see that all communication is written and copied to all pertinent personnel and organizations, sent via return receipt mail service. When issues arise keep logs on any phone or personal conversations; it helps to keep you organized in your dealings. Dedicate a three-ring binder to house this log so you can add pages, as you need. Never, never underestimate the power of carbon copying (cc'ing) everyone - it makes people accountable and acknowledges that they have the ball in their court. (Your school handbook should lay out the proper notification procedure and chain of command within the school district - be sure to also include an outside group such as ACLU, if possible)

Federal Guidelines For Religious Expression In Public Schools:
What are the ground rules for religious expression in public schools?
Secretary of Education Richard Riley, at the direction of President Clinton, issued guidelines in 1995 and updated them in 1998 to reflect recent court decisions.

A synopsis of the guidelines:
Students have the same right to engage in individual or group prayer and religious discussion during the school day as they do to engage in other comparable activity.
Local school authorities have "substantial discretion" to impose rules of order but may not structure the rules to discriminate against religious activity or speech.
Students may attempt to persuade peers about religious topics as they would any other topics, but schools should stop such speech that constitutes harassment.
Students may participate in before- or after-school events with religious content, such as "see-you-at-the-flagpole" gatherings, on the same terms they can participate in other non-curricular activities on school premises.
Teachers and administrators are prohibited from either encouraging or discouraging religious activity and from participating in such activity with students.
Public schools may not provide religious instruction but may teach about religion.
Students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork and other written and oral assignments. The work should be judged by ordinary academic standards and against other "legitimate pedagogical concerns." Students may distribute religious literature on the same terms other literature unrelated to curriculum can be distributed.
Schools have "substantial discretion" to excuse students from lessons objectionable on religious or other conscientious grounds. But students generally don't have a federal right to be excused from lessons inconsistent with religious beliefs or practices.
Schools may actively teach civic values and morals, even if some of those values also happen to be held by religions.
Students may display religious messages on clothing to the same extent they may display other comparable messages.