The Marshall University Pagan Association, a Neo-Pagan organization on campus, is focusing on educating students about its religion as well as providing a place for Pagans to worship.
"Neo-Paganism includes everything, including Wicca," said Marty Laubach, faculty advisor to the MUPA. "Some Pagans follow different traditions. Some follow Norse traditions or Egyptian traditions, while some follow the Western Messianic traditions. Paganism is an umbrella, it's a place where they all connect to one another."
One way MUPA is attempting to educate students is a series of programs called "Paganism 101." The program's focus is introducing basic ideas and learning what Paganism is.
"I have been a member since the beginning of the semester," said Charlie House, freshman home education and French major from Ohio. "It's a group of people interested in learning about Paganism. The program puts together the origin of the rituals and why they practice it a certain way."
While not a Pagan himself, House said he joined the organization because he had some friends who were Pagans and wanted to understand them better.
The organization also provides a safe place for practicing Pagans to come together.
"I have always been interested in the Pagan beliefs," said Tracy Hodge, sophomore legal assisting major from Cleveland, Ohio.
"I believe Pagan abilities run in my family and I believe it to be more of a calling than a decision. MUPA teaches what true Paganism really is. We get together and celebrate and practice our religion. We are teaching fundamentals of Paganism, and we are educating what Paganism truly is. It's basically saying 'we're Pagan, we're proud, and we're not going anywhere."'
Hodge said they are sometimes ridiculed and called names because of their beliefs.
Hodge said she has been a victim of vandalism because of intolerance towards Paganism.
Paganism has often been misunderstood, Laubach said.
"Because of the church back in the middle ages, they wanted to suppress all other religions so they equated Pagan religions as Satanism," Laubach said. "This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions people have. What people don't understand is Satan is a part of the Christian pantheon. Pagans don't recognize any deity anything like what Christians would consider Satan. It's just not a part of their pantheon at all. They don't see the world in terms of absolute good or absolute evil. What Paganism is, is a religion based on nature."
Laubach said the organization often has to worry about having its flyers torn down because of the misconceptions Marshall students have for the MUPA.
"I don't think people realize doing that is a desecration," Laubach said. "We appreciate it if people would treat us with respect like everyone wants their religion to be respected."
Meetings are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the third floor of Drinko Library.
Samir Abdel-Aziz can be contacted at abdelaziz1@marshall.edu.
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