![]() ![]() There was certainly a valid point made by the protesters of Z Budapest’s workshop, that it didn’t feel good to anyone to be told that they could not attend a particular workshop. There was pain and there were hurt feelings when trans women weren’t permitted into Z Budapests’ ritual for women. This article gives a good summary of some of the difficulties that arose in 2012, in connection with Z Budapest’s workshop, which apparently was a high point in the controversy and tension surrounding the Con. I’ve been aware of, though not involved in, a disappointing political divisiveness and tension that emerged through the years. Who’s the “bad” witch in the community, who has to be hunted down? Thus, with tragi-comic irony, Glenn Turner unfortunately assented to the creation of a “witchhunt” within a community of witches. However, it seems that the irony was lost on Glenn and many others, that in attempting to be more “inclusive” to one group, or those with one political or philosophical worldview, they made decisions which were most certainly exclusionary towards other groups, or those with “othered” political or philosophical worldviews. The aim was to provide a “safe and inclusive space”…. In another place, Glenn refers to “dis-inviting” two presenters who had been “regulars” at the conference, and referred to doing more extensive background investigation on presenters to ensure that they would not be controversial or divisive, or “trans-exclusionary.” Its organizer, Glenn Turner, was retiring…but why not pass the torch to some other organizer/s? Glenn’s statement is here, and provides few details other than “viewpoints diverged” and that there were fewer people volunteering to help. This gets to the crux of the matter: whereas Pantheacon’s program covers and “themes” through the years touted unity, diversity, inclusion, tolerance, love, and the organizers apparently did a good bit of work to “heal the community”, they were unable to avoid the pitfalls of lack of inclusiveness, lack of tolerance, lack of ideological diversity.Īs the conference has seen its final chapter, I began inquiring into why it was ending. However, had I wished to join a community, or been more involved in this one, this would have been more challenging within this environment. ![]() However, this generally hasn’t bothered me much, because I have always just gone to the workshops that interested me (the ones actually about Magic and Paganism, not the political ones) and avoided getting into political discussions with anyone. This latter issue more than others has made me feel “not quite fully included” at Pantheacon. As well, politically I am not only not radical, I’m not progressive, I’m a centrist, and I reject identity politics. I’m a person who has always felt considerable inner guidance, a direct connection with the Divine/deities/spirits, while most spiritual communities have a number of “seekers” who project their own Inner Deity onto others and seek “leaders.” People who seek communities, tend to seek “belonging”, and while this sounds good on the surface, the cost of “belonging” can be often too much of a compromise. ![]() I’m a person with rather strong boundaries, and people drawn to Paganism are often people with weak or “porous” boundaries. One of the reasons I’ve so enjoyed Pantheacon, has been that it’s permitted me, a Solitary Magical Practitioner, the opportunity to be with others and experience a temporary albeit brief sort of “Pagan Community.” In several ways I am not a good fit for the Pagan community. Every year that I’ve attended, most years but not every year from 2011 to 2020, I’ve walked through the hallways and conference spaces dazzled and adoring all the Pagan color and light, seeking to glimpse the delighted “inner child” in all the attendees. I’ve been blessed to be able to attend Pantheacon, an annual conference for Pagans held in San Jose, California, for many years.Īttending this conference has been fun, inspiring, energizing, educational, and affirming. ![]()
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