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1994-03-28
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From: thud@bronze.lcs.mit.edu (Ted Thibodeau Jr)
Subject: Pagan Census
Summary: EarthSpirit Community Pagan Census Project
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 1994 19:25:20 GMT
Lines: 569
The following 24K is a part of a large scale effort to accurately survey
pagans (and sympathizers) in the US, and abroad. Please take a few minutes
to read and complete it. Responses may be e-mailed to thud@bronze.lcs.mit.edu
or snail-mailed to the address below. If emailing, please edit out the
intro page as my mailbox is only so large...
Flames about inappropriate crossposting to /dev/null.
Thanks for your time & bandwidth.
Thud
---census follows---
The EarthSpirit Community
P. O. Box 365, Medford, MA 02155 (617) 395-1023 FAX: (617) 396-5066
Pagan Census Project
(Copyright 1993, Andras Corban Arthen and Helen Berger, Ph.D.)
Introduction
(Please read the following paragraphs carefully before filling out the form)
What is the Pagan Census Project?
The Pagan Census Project is an attempt to document the size and diversity of
the contemporary Pagan movement as accurately as possible. Over the past
thirty years, Paganism has experienced a considerable growth in membership,
but, given such factors as the lack of centralized organization within the
Pagan movement and the relative anonymity sought by many of its adherents,
it is very difficult to estimate how many of us there are. Several attempts
have been made over the past fifteen years to survey contemporary Pagans.
These attempts, however, have either been very limited in the size of the
sampling or have targeted a very specific and therefore limited population
within the Pagan movement. The Pagan Census Project seeks to survey a larger
and more diverse sampling of Pagans.
Why is it needed?
There are several reasons why such a project is important. If we can
document our numbers in some tangible way, we will be in a stronger position
to attain more credibility as a religion and as a community. Greater
credibility would enable us to better address issues of religious
discrimination and social prejudice (the Helms Bill, or movies such as The
Craft, for instance); would give us more weight in addressing anti-Pagan
stereotypes (for example, we might finally be able to convince the
publishers of encyclopedias and dictionaries to include more contemporary
definitions of the terms Witch and Pagan); and it would give us greater
access to influential forums (such as academia, interfaith councils, etc.)
from which Pagans have mostly been excluded.
Who is organizing the Census?
The Census form has been compiled by Andras Corban Arthen and Helen Berger,
Ph.D. Andras is a founder and director of the EarthSpirit Community, one of
the largest Pagan networks in the country. He has been a practicing Witch
since the late 1960's and has given lectures and workshops on Witchcraft and
Paganism for many years. Helen is a professor of sociology at West Chester
State University in Pennsylvania. She has been a member of the EarthSpirit
Community for many years and is very interested in this project because of
the statistical significance of the survey for her work in documenting the
modern Pagan movement.
In addition, the following Pagan leaders have reviewed the census form,
offered valuable suggestions and endorsed this project (organizations of
affiliation are named for purposes of identification only; endorsement by
these individuals does not imply endorsement by the organization itself):
Margot Adler, author; Susun Weed of the Wise Woman Institute; M. Macha
NightMare & Starhawk of Reclaiming Collective; Otter G'Zell, Diane Darling,
Morning Glory Zell and Anodea Judith of Church of All Worlds; Selena Fox &
Dennis Carpenter of Circle Sanctuary; Phyllis Curott, Judy Harrow, Russell
Williams, Rowan Fairgrove & Michael Thorn of Covenant of the Goddess; Lynn
Stone of Circle in the Greenwood; Isaac Bonewits and Colleen Dm O'Brien of
gr nDraocht Fin; Ellen Evert Hopman of Keltria; Deborah Ann Light,
hedgewitch; Rhiannon Bennett of Heartland Spiritual Alliance; John
Brightshadow Yohalem of Enchant; Jade & Lynnie Levy of Of A Like Mind;
Kyril Oakwind of Converging Paths; Gavin & Yvonne Frost of Church & School
of Wicca.
How is the Census structured?
The Census form is divided into five sections: the first four sections ask
for basic demographic data, socio-political views, spiritual beliefs, and
specifically Pagan-related information. Some of the questions included
throughout this form are taken verbatim from a University of Chicago public
opinion poll that has been ongoing since the 1950's, as a way to compare
Pagan views to those of the mainstream society. Although the language and
assumptions found in those particular questions leave a lot to be desired
from a Pagan perspective, we cannot make any changes in them if we wish to
preserve statistical comparability; we ask for your indulgence in this
matter. Section 5 is an open-ended request for any other information or
opinions that you would like to share with us, including your impressions on
the Census itself---please feel free to use additional sheets as necessary.
Although the Census is set up to insure complete anonymity for all
respondents, you have the option of returning to us the Census Update form
found at the bottom of the last page if you would like to be informed of
census results as they become available. If you fill out the Census Update
form, please be sure to mail it to us separate from the Census form itself
in order to maintain anonymity.
How will the information be used?
Census results will be shared with other Pagan networking organizations and
publications at their request. They will also be made available to
statistical bureaus, academic researchers, interfaith organizations and
other institutions and individuals interested in documenting the growth of
contemporary Paganism. Under no circumstances will the names or addresses of
individuals returning Census Update forms be shared with anyone.
How is the census funded?
Initial funding for the Pagan Census Project has been provided by monies
allocated by The EarthSpirit Community and West Chester State University for
this purpose, as well as by a donation from Covenant of the Goddess. We
anticipate that this project will cost several thousand dollars more in
printing, postage, and computer time. We are currently investigating
possible grant sources, and greatly welcome any suggestions or leads in this
regard. Other financial contributions of any size are also much needed and
appreciated; if you would like to make such a contribution, please make out
your check to "The EarthSpirit Community---PCP" and send it to the address
above.
Many thanks for your participation in the Pagan Census Project!
I - General Demographic Information
A. 1. Sex__________ 2. Date of birth__________
B. Marital status (please check all that apply):
_______1. Never married _______6. Widow/er
_______2. Married legally _______7. Separated
_______3. Married ritually (not legally) _______8. Group marriage
_______4. Live with lover(s) _______9. Other (please specify)
_______5. Divorced _______________
C. Sexual orientation:
_______1. Heterosexual _______4. Bisexual
_______2. Lesbian _______5. Other (please specify)_______________
_______3. Gay
D. Highest level of education completed so far:
_______1. Less than high school diploma
_______2. High school diploma
_______3. Some college
_______4. College degree
_______5. Professional or technical school
_______6. Post-graduate work
_______7. Post-graduate degree/s (please specify)
_______8. Other (please specify)
E. 1. What is your race?_____________________________________________________
2. What is your ethnic background?________________________________________
F. What religion(s)/religious denomination(s) were you raised in?____________
__________________________________________________________________________
G. Which most closely describes your current home neighborhood?
_______1. Secluded rural _______5. Small town
_______2. Large town _______6. Metropolitan area
_______3. Rural community _______7. Other (please explain)
_______4. Suburb _________________________________
H. 1. If you live in the U.S., in which state do you presently reside?_______
2. If you live outside of the U.S., where do you reside?__________________
I. 1. What is your main or principal occupational title?_____________________
2. In what type of industry or business do you work?______________________
J. What was the combined income before taxes of all members of your
family/household for the past year?
_______1. Less than $10,000 _______6. $50,001 - $60,000
_______2. $10,000 - $20,000 _______7. $60,001 - $70,000
_______3. $20,001 - $30,000 _______8. $70,001 - $100,000
_______4. $30,001 - $40,000 _______9. Above $100,000
_______5. $40,001 - $50,000
K. 1. Do you have children (biological or adopted)? Yes_____ No_____
2. Grandchildren? Yes_____ No_____
3. Please list the age and sex of each of your children:__________________
_______________________________________________________________________
L. 1. If you are a single parent, do you have primary custody of your
child/ren? Yes_____ No_____
2. Joint custody? Yes_____ No_____
M. What type of school does/did your child/ren predominantly attend? If you
have more than one child, please note what type of school each of them
goes/went to by indicating the number of children who attend/ed that type
of school:
_______1. Public school _______4. Private, non-parochial school
_______2. Parochial school _______5. Other (please specify)
_______3. Home educated
N. Do/did you encourage your child/ren to be involved in your spiritual
path? Yes_____ No_____
II - Political Information
A. Are you a registered voter? Yes_____ No_____
B. 1. If yes, are you registered as: 2. Did you vote in the last
_____a. Democrat _____a. national elections?
_____b. Republican _____b. state elections?
_____c. Independent/unenrolled _____c. local elections?
_____d. Other (please specify)_________________________
C. Do you participate, for any reason, in any of the following political
activities?
_____ 1. Do not participate in any activities.
_____ 2. Write or telephone legislators in Washington.
_____ 3. Write or telephone state legislators.
_____ 4. Write or telephone local government.
_____ 5. Participate in grassroots local organizing.
_____ 6. Participate in town meetings, hearings, forums and open meetings.
_____ 7. Participate in special events (e.g., marches, rallies)
_____ 8. Public spokesperson for causes of personal concern.
_____ 9. Active lobbier.
_____10. Active in campaigning.
_____11. Hold/have held public office.
D. We are faced with many problems in this country, none of which can be
solved easily or inexpensively. Listed below are some of these problems.
For each one, please indicate whether you think we are spending too much
money on it, too little money, or about the right amount.
1. Too much. 2. The right amount. 3. Too little. 4. Don't know.
_____ 1. Space exploration program.
_____ 2. Improving and protecting the environment.
_____ 3. Improving and protecting the nation's health.
_____ 4. Solving the problems of the big cities.
_____ 5. Halting the rising crime rate.
_____ 6. Dealing with drug addiction.
_____ 7. Improving the conditions of Blacks.
_____ 8. The military, armaments, and defense.
_____ 9. Foreign aid.
_____10. Welfare.
_____11. Highways and bridges.
_____12. Social Security.
_____13. Mass transportation.
_____14. Parks and recreation.
_____15. The arts.
_____16. AIDS research.
_____17. The homeless.
_____18. Education.
E. Listed below are some institutions in this country. Some people have
complete confidence in the people running these institutions. Suppose
these people are at the end of the scale at point number 1. Other people
have no confidence at all in the people running these institutions.
Suppose these people are at the other end, at point 7. And, of course,
other people have opinions somewhere in between at point 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
Where would you place yourself on this scale?
Complete confidence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 No confidence at all
_____ 1. Banks and financial institutions.
_____ 2. Major companies.
_____ 3. Organized religion.
_____ 4. Education.
_____ 5. Executive branch of the federal government.
_____ 6. Organized labor.
_____ 7. The press.
_____ 8. Medicine.
_____ 9. Television.
_____10. U.S. Supreme Court.
_____11. Scientific community.
_____12. U.S. Congress.
_____13. Your state government.
_____14. Your local (city, town) government.
F. Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for a person convicted of
murder? Favor_____ Oppose_____
G. 1. Do you believe there should be legal access to abortion?
Yes_____ No_____
2. If so, should there be any restrictions regarding age of the woman,
length of the pregnancy, or other circumstances? Please specify:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
H. Please indicate your opinion on the following social issues using the
scale below:
6 - Very strong agreement with statement.
5 - Agreement with statement.
4 - Qualified agreement with statement.
3 - No opinion about statement.
2 - Qualified disagreement with statement.
1 - Disagreement with statement.
0 - Very strong disagreement with statement.
_____ 1. There should be an Equal Rights Amendment to the U. S.
Constitution.
_____ 2. Women should not be included in a military draft.
_____ 3. Same-sex marriages should be legal.
_____ 4. To redress previous discrimination, there should be preferential
hiring of women at all levels of employment.
_____ 5. Women in the military forces should be included in combat
positions.
_____ 6. Non-discrimination on the basis of sexual preference should be
part of any civil rights legislation.
_____ 7. The right to religious freedom should not include human
sacrifice.
_____ 8. Marihuana should be legally available on the same basis as
alcohol or tobacco.
_____ 9. Homosexuals should be excluded from the military.
_____10. Polygamy should be legal in the U. S.
III - Religious/Spiritual Beliefs.
A. 1. Do you believe there is a life after death?
Yes_____ No_____ Not sure_____
2. Do you believe in reincarnation? Yes_____ No_____ Not sure_____
B. Of course no one knows exactly what life after death would be like, but
here are some ideas people have had. How likely do you feel each
possibility is? For the next ten questions, please use the following
scale:
1. Very likely. 2. Somewhat likely. 3. No too likely. 4. Not at all likely.
_____ 1. A life of peace and tranquillity.
_____ 2. A life of intense action.
_____ 3. A paradise of pleasures and delights.
_____ 4. Reunion with loved ones.
_____ 5. A pale shadowy life, hardly life at all.
_____ 6. A spiritual life, involving our mind but not our body.
_____ 7. A life like the one here on Earth, only better.
_____ 8. A place of loving intellectual communion.
_____ 9. Union with God (or Gods and Goddesses).
_____10. A life without many things which make our present life enjoyable.
C. How often have you had any of the following experiences? Please use the
following scale:
1. Never in my life. 2. Once or twice. 3. Several times. 4. Often.
_____1. Thought you were somewhere you had been before, but knew that it
was impossible.
_____2. Felt as though you were in touch with someone when they were far
away from you.
_____3. Saw events that happened at great distance as they were happening.
_____4. Felt as though you were really in touch with someone who had died.
_____5. Felt as though you were very close to a powerful, spiritual force
that seemed to lift you out of yourself.
D. 1. Approximately how much money did you contribute to your religion during
the past twelve months?______________
2. How much time or other resources do you contribute annually to your
religion?____________________________
3. Are you paid clergy?_____ If so, are you: Full time?_____
Part time?_____
IV - Pagan Related Information.
A. Do you primarily consider yourself to be: (if you list more than one,
indicate which is most important, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)
_____ 1. Agnostic _____12. Odinist
_____ 2. Atheist _____13. Pagan
_____ 3. Buddhist _____14. Satanist
_____ 4. Ceremonial magician _____15. Shaman
_____ 5. Christian _____16. Spiritual, but dislike labels
_____ 6. Druid _____17. Thelemite
_____ 7. Goddess worshipper _____18. Unitarian-Universalist
_____ 8. Jewish _____19. Witch (non-Wiccan)
_____ 9. Magic-worker _____20. Witch (Wiccan)
_____10. Neo-Pagan _____21. Other (please specify)
_____11. New Age _____________________________
B. What is the primary manner in which you work/worship?
_____1. In a group.
_____2. With a magical/spiritual partner (including apprenticeships).
_____3. As a solitary.
C. What is/are your tradition/s or orientation/s (e.g., Eclectic, Gardnerian,
Dianic, Keltrian, etc.)? If more than one, please prioritize if possible:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
D. If you have a mate or spouse, how does he/she relate to your spiritual
orientation?
_____1. Share your orientation.
_____2. Does not share, but is tolerant/indifferent.
_____3. Does not share, but is sympathetic.
_____4. Does not share and is antagonistic to your orientation.
_____5. Does not know about your orientation.
If more than one mate or spouse,
please indicate this information for each individually.
E. During the last year, how many Pagan festivals or gatherings lasting more
than one day, if any, have you attended?_________. Please list, giving
festival name, date, and place:___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
F. If you did not attend any festival during the last year, why didn't you?
___________________________________________
G. Since what year have you been an active member of the Pagan/Witch
community (i.e., participated in a coven, took part in a Pagan ritual,
attended a festival, joined a Pagan organization, etc.)?__________________
H. Please indicate with a check mark (V) which Pagan publications you read
regularly:
_____1. Circle Network News _____10. PSA Newsletter
_____2. C.O.G. Newsletter _____11. Panegyria
_____3. Druid's Progress _____12. Reclaiming Newsletter
_____4. EarthSpirit Newsletter _____13. SageWoman
_____5. Enchant _____14. Survival
_____6. FireHeart _____15. Thesmophoria
_____7. Green Egg _____16. Tides
_____8. Keltria _____17. Other (please specify)
_____ 9. Of A Like Mind _____________________________
I. Of the publications you indicated, which are your favorites, and why?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
J. If you have ever let a subscription to a Pagan publication lapse, what
qualities of the publication caused you to drop it?_______________________
__________________________________________________________________________
K. Briefly, how did you become involved in Paganism/Witchcraft?______________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
L. What Pagan-oriented books or teachers have been specially influential for
you?______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
M. The following are community issues that have arisen in Pagan publications
and at gatherings over the past few years. Please indicate your own
personal reaction to the statements below based on the following scale:
6 - Very strong agreement with statement.
5 - Agreement with statement.
4 - Qualified agreement with statement.
3 - No opinion on statement.
2 - Qualified disagreement with statement.
1 - Disagreement with statement.
0 - Very strong disagreement with statement.
_____ 1. People who are under the age of 18 whose parents are not
Pagan/Witches should not be trained in the Craft.
_____ 2. The use of mind-altering chemicals is a valid magical practice.
_____ 3. The words "Witch" and "Pagan" have and should retain
significantly different meanings.
_____ 4. The term "Witch" is inappropriate today and should not be used.
_____ 5. Satanism can be a valid form of Paganism.
_____ 6. "Public Witches" should dress conservatively when giving
interviews to the media.
_____ 7. Correspondence courses are an acceptable way to learn the Craft.
_____ 8. Hierarchy can be an organic, non-oppressive organizational
structure.
_____ 9. Full-time Pagan clergy should be financially supported by their
community.
_____10. A Witch should not accept money for teaching the Craft.
_____11. Sex between a spiritual teacher and a student is unethical.
_____12. It is important that Witches have high standards of training.
_____13. The popularization of Witchcraft has diluted its standards and
identity.
_____14. Witches and Pagans should actively seek connections with the "New
Age" community.
_____15. Homophobia is as prevalent in the Pagan movement as anywhere else
in society.
_____16. Compulsory military service is incompatible with Pagan religious
beliefs.
V - Other Information
A. Is there any additional information, perspective, or opinion relevant to
your participation in the Pagan movement that you would like to share with
us? Please use the space below or attach additional sheets as necessary.
Thanks again for your participation in this survey.
To receive information on census results & other Pagan-related projects,
please detach the form below and mail separately
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pagan Census Project --- Census Update Form
(please PRINT)
Name__________________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________
Street City State Zip
Mail to: The EarthSpirit Community
P. O. Box 365
Medford, MA 02155
--
Ted Thibodeau, Jr a/k/a Thud, Fyodor Ilyich Lobachevsky, Zamel
187 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02172 617-923-8113
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