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Appalachian Pagan student clears misconceptions about religious experiences |
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Tuesday, 27 February 2007 |
This is the second of a five-part series focusing on members of the Appalachian community who practice religion in college.
by ASHLEY BENNERS
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
When many think of Paganism, it’s easy to jump straight to magic spells, tarot cards and other sorts of hocus pocus.
For Simon L. Delott, a junior double major in secondary education and philosophy and religion, being a Pagan is more of a religious experience.
Delott became a Pagan in high school shortly after he researched the religion for a class project.
At first, Delott agreed with many of the Pagan ideas, but he did not
think that was enough to convert. It wasn’t until he became aware of a
“divine presence” that he decided to begin practicing.
“One night I was in my room lying down to go to sleep, and I just felt
something,” he said. “If I were a waterwheel sitting in stagnant water,
it was like the water suddenly became a rushing river. I was moved, but
not displaced.”
Raised as an atheist, Delott said his parents were disappointed.
“It didn’t matter though,” he said. “They would have been disappointed if I had converted to any religion.”
For the past four years, Delott has grown into the religion, but his
practices do not match extreme characteristics associated with Paganism.
“Rituals are only necessary as a person needs them to be,” Delott said.
“Going along with your feelings is what is most common in Paganism.”
He continues to celebrate Christmas with his family but still feels
that his lifestyle has been significantly impacted by his decision to
convert – for example, his double major in philosophy and
religion.
Delott also clarifies that revering a god or goddess does not mean believing mythology.
“The stories came after the beliefs,” he said. “They were entertainment.”
Regularly, he prays in the shower to Greek and Egyptian deities and wears a goddess pendant around his neck.
“I’m eclectic,” Delott said. “I don’t limit the details of my practices
to any one group. In ancient times, it was assumed that the Gods of
another nation were just as valid as those of your own.”
“Some people concentrate on labeling themselves as ‘witches’ – the title is accurate but it sort of misses the point,” he said.
Like many Pagans, Delott believes in magic, just not in the supernatural.
“If my cup of coffee were to levitate off the table, I would be
shocked,” he said. “However, I do believe in magic as being a slight
twist in fate. It’s similar to when a Christian prays for someone who
is sick.
They don’t expect that person to immediately recover, but they think it may be possible to help them through prayer.”
As far as casting spells, Delott disagrees with using aspects of the religion to harm people.
“The idea of doing harm to another person is frowned upon in the Pagan community here,” he said.
“Sometimes self-promotion includes moving people out of the way first,
but I don’t think one person needs to fare worse for another to
advance. The person who parked in your parking spot doesn’t deserve to
be hexed.”
Just last week, Delott saw the movie “The Craft” for the first time,
which centers around four girls who are practicing “witches.”
“The way that Pagans are portrayed in movies and TV is odd, bizarre and just inaccurate,” he said.
Since he graduated, Delott has returned to his high school to speak to a religion class about Paganism.
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