I have been asked to give a 45 minute presentation on Paganism to a group of health care professionals as part of their Diversity Training. This will be followed by question time.

I was just wondering what one point you would personally like the members to go away with and remember for their future practice ?

Well, personally (amongst all the other things they'll take away from the presentation) I'd want them to remember overall that paganism is an umbrella term. Just because someone calls themselves a pagan doesn't mean they'll have the same beliefs as the next pagan through the doors, or for that matter the last pagan they encountered. Its not even as if there is a set central deity or code of ethics which binds all pagans as there would be in most mainstream religions... If they're working with the public in situations where people are highly emotional or physically ill its even more important that they remember that they cannot make assumptions based on a single preconceived idea of what a pagan is when it comes to that person's beliefs.

Well its unlikely to happen, but I must admit I get fed up of when Imention I'm pagan to someone and they immediately want to know if I do spells - oh and yeah of course, to prove magick exists.

So maybe, making clear that while magick can be a big part of some pagan paths, not all pagans work with magick, and those of us that do, don't sit around great big cauldrons mixing up humongous green bubbly potions to poision the rest of mankind with! On a serious note, I do find it incredibly rude the disabelieving note in people's voices when you tell them you're pagan, and they ask about spells and ask you to prove the existance of magick... I mean yeah ok I can appreciate the note of skeptism... but what really gets up my nose is the "how can you believe in all that crap?" comments. That might be a person's opinion but lets be honest its incredibly rude to say that to someone's face.

Yes, I guess that they need to know that paganism does not automatically equate witchcraft or wiccanism although this is often the case. Thinking about what the major misconceptions are and having some answers ready would be a good idea. I would personally want them to go away understanding that paganism is a fast burgeoning choice of spiritual path in the 21st century and they are going to come across it more and more, that peoples choice of paganism is a valid one to be respected, and that it possibly is the most diverse " religion " of them all

What annoys me is when people refuse to believe in the existance of magic but will hapily believe in miracles. One person's miracle is another person's spell..

They should probably be prepared to cope with some very tricky paitents! We have a tendancy not to believe healthcare professionals and do our own research and come up with our own dignosis. Often pagans also have a set idea of what treatment they're prepared to accept. They should know that a patient who says they're pagan might not turn up with a crystal and reiki practioner and say they have all they need but that it can happen. (sorry but we have our irritating side too!) Aside from that, I agree with what's been said before.

I agree with Esk - all of the above, and make them aware that we do tend to look in to things with a lot more enthusiasm than everyday folk, so they should be prepared to be questioned on what is, for many medical staff, received wisdom from other members of staff

That Paganism is a valid belief system practised, in all its many guises, by sane, ordinary individuals. That there's nothing sinister or weird about it, it's just as valid and normal as xtianity, Judaism, Hindu etc etc. (and you can leave it to the listener as to how "normal" they think "normal" is!)

Good luck - let us know how you get on with it!

Sorry I haven't any good suggestions. I am fascinated that you have been asked though, and it has got me wondering what on earth I would talk about in your situation. Please post and let us know how it goes, and the sort of reactions and questions people gave.

Good luck with it.

mike

There's lots of things but the one that sprang to mind first was that it's nothing to do with the devil.

that they dont ask you dont really believe in that weird stuff do you?
or think that pagans are insane, crazy or just plain nuts
all I can think of for now

Many thanks for all the comments, some good ideas there !

I would certainly want to get across the ideas that

paganism is an umbrella term and they should not look for any central authority for tenets of faith

paganism is a valid and growing spiritual path(s) that should be respected

that pagans are as 'normal' as the next man or woman

that pagans are probably more likely than normal to want to be active informed decision makers in their own treatment

The talk isn't until the 4th of May so I have plenty of time to craft it and hone it. Looks as if it will be a mixed group of doctors, nurses, members of professions allied to medicine and (social workers, physios.... ) and at least one complementary therapist.

Any more suggestions ?????

I will let you know how I get on in May.

Thanks

Stenness

I would love to see the medical profession, be more open to alternative practices.
Also, listening and spending time, with patients and getting to the "root", of a problem, not a quick fix.

Pagan doesn't mean you're weird, either, lol.

A 45 min talk, wow. I'm in admiration!

I'll probably add more ideas later.

I understand there is someone with responsibility for hospital chaplaincy at the PF. Perhpas they might have some insight on this.

I shall do some digging. I've actually got another reason to get in touch with this person anyway.

BB

Mike

One way of pointing the issue out is that the main faith of this country is mythology. If it gets some of their backs up then it will make them realise how we feel when our own very valid belief system is merely called 'mythology.' It works both ways Perhaps suggesting too that if they question in their own mind or even out loud as to the reality of the persons gods or deity, to ask themselves , would they ask this of a christain?

I am also very interested in hearing how this goes

Hmmm, the adversarial approach. Understandable, but generally tends to run the risk of causing those who really need to listen to the message to switch off. Well don't you switch off the moment someone starts yabbering on about how you must be 'one of those satan worshipers, and don't you know you worship a false god?' I know that for a very long time this happened to me. In the kind of stuff I do I had to de sensitise myself to it to a certain extent. (Still causes shut down every once in a while).

I think there may be some mileage in saying 'when people suggest our beliefs are false, I suspect it is akin to someone saying that the bible is full of myths'. Although many of the Christians I've come across would shake their heads and just say that this was 'one of Satans greatest tricks' to the comment about the bible being full of myths.

The diversity of pagan belief is a definite must for inclusion, with perhaps a mini break down of some basics of the broader path headings. Something that points out that believers (in any faith) hold their beliefs for very good reasons and feel they have proofs that convince them. The same goes for pagans.

BB

Mike

Just had an email back from the relatively newly appointed person responsible for Hospital Chaplaincy. He can be contacted at melifois@yahoo.co.uk

As he has only recently taken on the job, he tells me he hasn't yet got to training and is mainly focusing on building up the list of Pagan chaplains and hospital visitors. But he has offered to be a point of reference and contact, and I am sure would be very happy to talk with people about developing a greater understanding and respect for the wishes of Pagans in a Healthcare setting.

Hope this proves to be of some help.

BB

Mike

Many thanks for the help here Cern.

Much appreciated

prety much what has been said

namely


Paganism covers many different beliefs
That those beliefs are as valid as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism etc...
That it is wise not to approach a Pagan with any preconceptions

also could you perhaps produce a short flyer with details of 'safe' websites etc... to hand out?

BTW by safe I mean ones that give the facts and don't waffle on or go off on weird tangen - the PF site would be good

Not been around much lately - loads of work at the moment.

However, the talk went really well, about 30 people attended, nurses, social workers, professions allied to medicine. Lots of questions and quite a few people said that it was very informative and had told them much they did not know. Two people said that much of what I said resonated with their own views on life too. The only difficult question was from one of the social workers asking about initiation of children (maybe I am too suspicious). Anyway I told her that pagan parents were parents like any others. That pagan paths that had initiation only did so for adults. That most of us wanted our children to be free to make up their own minds and follow their own hearts.

So all in all pleased and once again thanks to you all for your very helpful suggestions.