Pagans and Dialogue: Pagans in Interreligious and Interconvictional Dialogue

Pagans have been involved in interreligious dialogue with other faiths and beliefs for nearly four decades but have had considerable difficulty in being recognised formally as participants beyond the local level.  This paper, in three main sections, examines the experience of gaining this recognition and speculates (with evidence) as to the reasons for its difficulty.  First it proposes a working definition of modern Paganism and consider what the latter’s unique outlook brings to the process of interfaith dialogue.  The next section traces the process of Pagan involvement at local, regional and national levels, mostly in the UK; and finally, it discusses the patterns of engagement, the tacit assumptions and the practical solutions that have emerged during this process.

Prudence Jones

Interfaith Liaison Officer, Pagan Federation

Prudence Jones, MA (Cantab.), ACIL, FRSA is the Interfaith Liaison Officer of the Pagan Federation (f.1971), the national representative body for Pagan (polytheistic, nature-venerating) faith communities, of which she was President from 1979 to 1991 and 2000-2.