Voices from the Pagan Census: A National Survey of Witches and Neo-Pagans in the United States

by Helen A. Berger, Evan A. Leach, Leigh S. Shaffer

Overview

A compelling portrait of an emerging religious group

Voices from the Pagan Census provides unprecedented insight into the expanding but largely unstudied religious movement of Neo-Paganism in the United States. Helen A. Berger, Evan A. Leach, and Leigh S. Shaffer present the findings of "The Pagan Census," which was created and distributed by Berger and Andras Corban Arthen of the Earthspirit Community. Analyzing the most comprehensive and largest-scale survey of Neo-Pagans to date, the authors offer a portrait of this emerging religious community, including an examination of Neo-Pagan political activism, educational achievements, family life, worship methods, experiences with the paranormal, and beliefs about such issues as life after death.

A collection of religious groups whose practices evolved from Great Britain's Wicca movement of the 1940s, Neo-Paganism spread to the United States in the 1960s. While the number of people who identify themselves with the religion has continued to rise, quantitative study of Neo-Paganism has been difficult given the movement's lack of centralized leadership and doctrine and its development as scattered, independent groups and individuals. Endorsed by all major Neo-Pagan leaders, "The Pagan Census" generated a demographically diverse response. In contrast to most previous surveys, which were limited to Neo-Pagan festivals, this survey incorporates input from the large population of practitioners who do not participate in such events.

Keenly anticipated by the academic and Neo-Pagan communities, the results of the census provide the most in-depth information about the group yet assembled. Comparing Neo-Pagans with American society at large, Berger, Leach, and Shaffer show that although the two groups share certain statistical characteristics, there are differences as well. The scholars also identify variations within the Neo-Pagan population, including those related to geography and to the movement's multiple spiritual paths.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570034886
Publisher:	University of South Carolina Press
Publication date:	07/01/2003
Series:	Studies in Comparative Religion
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.25(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Helen A. Berger is a professor of sociology at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. She is the author of A Community of Witches: Contemporary Neo-Paganism and Witchcraft in the United States.

Table of Contents

	List of Tables	ix
	Series Editor's Preface	xiii
	Preface	xv
	Abbreviations	xxiii
1	The Pagan Census, Neo-Paganism, and Neo-Pagans	1
2	Magic, Mysticism, and Politics	35
3	Spiritual Paths, Forms of Practice, and Regional Variations	89
4	Families, Children, and Sexuality	140
5	Popularization and Institutional Changes	169
6	Festivals	203
7	Voices of Consensus and Dissension; Voices of Concern and Joy	224
	Appendix	239
	Notes	255
	Bibliography	259
	Index	267

What People are Saying About This

Vivinne Crowley

To survey a 'hidden population' is an enormous methodological challenge, one that the authors have succeeded in meeting. Their material provides exciting new insights into the growing Neo-Pagan community of the United States that will stimulate other researchers, provide material for classroom discussion, and appeal to the general reader.

Lorne L. Dawson

Voices from the Pagan Census develops a reliable and fascinating social profile of the Neo-Pagan movement. It joins a small number of excellent studies documenting the changing face of religion in America. A unique resource, this book should be read by everyone interested in the study of new religious movements.

David G. Bromley

Because the Neo-Pagan movement is comprised of small, decentralized, non-doctrinaire groups, creating a representative profile of Neo-Paganism has presented a real challenge to social scientists. This breakthrough study moves beyond previous case studies of local groups and surveys of festival gatherings to provide a treasure trove of national survey data on six strands of the Neo-Pagan tradition: Wiccans, Pagans, Goddess Worshipers, Druids, Shamans, and Unitarian Universalist Pagans. Voices from the Pagan Census is a significant contribution to our understanding of Neo-Paganism

Editorial Reviews

This wide-ranging, non-random survey and analysis encompasses a broad sample of the Neo-Pagan community, including Wiccans, Pagans, Goddess Worshippers, Druids, Shamans, Unitarian Universalist Pagans, and assorted Odinists and "magic workers." For all their diversity, a certain profile emerges. Typical Neo-Pagans are white, college-educated middle class women (men account for about a third of Neo-Pagans). They tend to hold liberal views and be politically active, especially on environmental issues. They are more likely than the average American to have had a paranormal or magical experience, and more likely to invoke quantum mechanics and string theory to explain it. They are broadly supportive of alternative lifestyles and sexualities, and tend to approve of group marriage, in theory if not in practice; but they split over the propriety of sex between spiritual teachers and students. The study also surveys participation in a variety of Neo-Pagan ritual practice and festivals and explores attitudes towards intra-pagan controversies: Neo-Pagans disdain New Agers as dilettantes and violently reject any association with Satanists, but embrace the title of "witch" with pride. The authors, professors of sociology (Berger and Shaffer) and management (Leach), break down the data by sex, geographical region and Neo-Pagan sect, and provide an even-handed, nuanced commentary on the development of Neo-Paganism and the relation of Neo-Pagan beliefs and opinions to the larger political and cultural landscape. (July) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

This work, while not the sort of vade mecum or anthology most often found in this column, is a worthwhile addition to the collection of most libraries. Authors Berger (sociology), Evan A. Leach (management), and Leigh S. Shaffer (sociology), all from West Chester University, PA, have created a thorough and fascinating portrait of today's Neo-Pagan community in the United States on the basis of extensive surveys conducted between 1993 and 1995. There are both expected and unexpected conclusions to be inferred from the authors' very admirable labor. Most Neo-Pagans are white, middle class, relatively well educated, and relatively well paid: no surprise. They are, perhaps, less feminist, less gay-friendly, and less concerned with the paranormal, however, than many might have predicted. This fascinating work both covers a broad range of subjects and suggests work yet to be done in the study of Neo-Paganism in this country. Highly recommended. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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