Voices from the Pagan Census: A National Survey of Witches and Neo-Pagans in the United States (Studies in Comparative Religion)
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.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.