College Pagans?

[Benzaiten]

You know, when I was in high school, I certainly noticed a lot of openly Pagan classmates, but now that I'm in college... where have all my fellow Pagans gone to?? I feel so alone in the world!! _inabox_ Are there simply less college-aged people of Pagan faith? Could it be because the teenyboppers grow up and stop "dabbling"? Or could it be that some of my classmates just might be Pagan, but simply aren't "out" about it? I don't broadcast my faith by my outward appearance, and I didn't in high school either, so maybe that's the case. I just want to know, is anyone else on MW a college student? It would be really cool to find out who else is out there, and find out if any one is involved with any college-based Pagan groups, seeing as how my university doesn't have anything for us Pagan folk. Christian clubs, Catholic clubs, and many other religious clubs abound (such as Judaism, Islam, and even Buddhism!), but not a single earth-based religious group. I'm thinking of starting one, if there's anyone at my university interested, that is. Anyone have any idea where the missing Pagans are?

Thanks a bunch,
Akiko :graduate:

[DragonDawn]

I'm a college pagan. I helped start the pagan club on campus.

To answer your question I do believe that alot of the teenagers are only 'into' magick and paganism because they think its 'cool'. When they graduate they don't really have anyone to impress any more so they forget about it, either that or they start going back to a christian church and pretend it never happened. I saw alot of this myself when I graduated. I think thats what has happened.

From my expereince with the college pagan club I'm in I have noticed that alot of college pagans are not 'out' so that might be a problem too.

If your interested in starting a club on campus feel free to PM me and I'll try to help you out on how to get started.

[equinox2]

I'm sure that there are plenty of people with an earth-based spirituality, but you've probably lost the teenyboppers who were just doing it for show. I'd check with local groups (check witchvox.com for that, and www.cuups.org), then start one yourself! It may have to be a bit eclectic to include everyone - especially naturalistic pagans like me.

Dragondawn sounds like a good resource, and there are probably resources at www.witchvox.com too.

Blessed be-

[Bansheekisses]

I am a college Pagan also, and the campus i go to has a meeting for pagans. It is an unusual thing, but its a support group and much more. It's always nice to know that you arent the only one. Alot of these ppl that go to the group dont broad cast it, but are mellow and will talk about it when it needs to be talked about. Until the subject is broached, they are just like everyone else.
They feel foolish about the younger years where they told everyone insight they were pagan.

[Cielamara]

Oddly, there are more Pagans here in college than were in my high school, and they're largely quite sincere about it. Many of my friends here are Pagan, and quite intelligent, to boot. But then again...this is the Liberal/hippie/gay/Pagan stronghold of North Carolina, if not of the South in general. YAY Asheville!

[ryv]

My college (Appalachian State) has a pagan grp but I haven't gone yet bc on the time of the meeting...but I hope to join next year!

[Lynleigh]

I am also a college pagan, as for the university I attend, I'm not sure if there is a group or not. I'm not really active in the more social aspects of college life, but I think it would be very interesting to have a pagan group.

[bshore]

I'm a college pagan (kinda) but since I was the first person to utter the word "Wicca" within our highschool (as far as I know) I'm not really supprised to not find any advertising Pagans arround here, either. We do have a Pagan Group, but they only hold meetings on Sunday afternoon, so I haven't been able to attend yet.

I'd love to participate in a discussion group or something, but I'm also a little intimidated by them. Maybe one of these days . . .

[Memory's Flame]

I am a college pagan; though I've found that a lot of the others in my town are "closeted" however we have a strong catholic community here too, so I think there are more who are just afraid of the catholic parents...

[Lost_Sole]

I am a college pagen... but my college that i go to for army peop... well I also one of them to.

[Pan]

I actually knew more college pagans than I did high school pagans.

I miss college because it was more free.

[Verthandi]

I live in the most Republican area of the state, so most pagans that are "out" in high school are rebelling against everything. In college, I've found more serious practitioners, but I agree, it's hard to find them.

[audi]

ya im a senoir in college. unfortunately there is nothing offered for me here since i am going to a catholic university. (thanks mom and dad) i get dirty looks from my professors when i wear a penticle which is really unfair since every class room i walk into has a crusafix on the wall and i have to deal. i should have the right to quiety display my beliefs too!
ya its been pretty hard since i am also sensative that my practises might be making others uncomforatable, like my room mate. any suggestions would be nice. thanks.
*hugs*

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

i'm a college student. There used to be a pagan group at my school, but it kinda dissapeared after it's president graduated...:( THere are however, other pagan groups in the area that students could join if they wanted to CUUP's has a monthly pagan pot-luck and gathering. I know there are pagans at my school, but none of them openly broadcast it. They don't really have any visible signs of being pagan, other than discreet pentacles or something, at least from what i've seen anyway.

[Rubber_Piggy]

I'm a uni student too. I know that there are others around campus, but i have seen no evidence of a club, social or otherwise.

[Jeleia]

I didn't know any other pagans in high school and I don't know any in college too.

I'm not very active in activities and clubs at school. I know there is a Christian Group, but I'm not sure if there is a pagan group. I highly doubt it.

Its nice to meet some other college pagans :) It gets pretty lonely sometimes, since I don't know anyone irl thats pagan.



ya its been pretty hard since i am also sensative that my practises might be making others uncomforatable, like my room mate. any suggestions would be nice. thanks.
*hugs*
Do you practice when he/she is around?

I know dorms can get pretty cramped, but without knowing what your roommate knows, its a bit hard to give advice.

[raminda]

I'm disappointed that the college I'm attending doesn't have a Pagan club/group. I'll just have to find like-minded individuals on my own, and that's always a difficult task.

[Ailinea]

ya its been pretty hard since i am also sensative that my practises might be making others uncomforatable, like my room mate. any suggestions would be nice. thanks.
*hugs*

Have you seen College Wicca (http://www.collegewicca.com)? It has lots of advice for Pagans in college, and it's not just Wicca-specific.

[hamletincarnate]

i agree with equinox2! though, at my hippie college there are a lot of quietly pagan folk. they don't wave it like around like annoying posers in high school - there are just a lot of goddess symbols and pentagrams around necks. it is refreshing.

[Benzaiten]

Wow! Didn't realize there were so many others out there! I'm sure there must be at least a few at my university (Florida Atlantic Univ., btw... Go Owls!!), they just don't show it. Thanks a bunch, everyone! I don't feel all alone anymore! I'll have to check out all the different links you guys recommended. Maybe I'll find a pre-existing group. If not, maybe I'll start one, if I can find time.

Thanks again, everyone!! ***Hugs for all!***

-Akiko

[Bix]

I'm a college pagan as well...I know there are other pagans in college...just don't know who. I'm not really open about it...so not a lot know about me.

[Shidge.]

I am a college "pagan" (I guess you can call it that)..

However, I do not broadcast my beliefs because I am at a .. Dun dun dun.. Baptist University.

If you are found to be a religion that the Univ. doesnt agree with, you can be kicked out...

I think I fit 4-5 "kick-out-able" offenses.

Yay for me :-/

[Romani Vixen]

I'm in college. I know other pagans, but this is a pretty open area.

I don't know that I could go to a school that I'd have to hide. I'd slip! lol

[midnite_aila]

i'm a college pagan as well... there is a group here that i'm a member of, but there are not that many people involved. it's a small university, so that might have something to do with it..... being in the "bible belt" doesn't help either. :whatgives

[Akhkharu Asgard]

I go to college and i'm a pagan. But I don't know anyone there who is a pagan. *shrugs* I might join a group if there was one. But nothing. There never is around here.

[TheTempestuous1]

see, I have noticed a lot more. Its not like a ::gasp:: you're what? anymore.. But I am a college pagan in michigan so hi!

[Redshire]

College Pagan here also. No groups or clubs at this school, erm... Institute, whatever. I figure there are others wandering the halls, but I don't really aproach anyone about it. My friends know I am, but never woulda guessed unless I posted it on myspace.com. :P


em hotep

[crashtime]

I'm in college and pagan. I didn't know any other pagans in high school, and I don't know any others in college. There's a Pagan Student group, but I never really sought it out. I think I'm just insecure that I wouldn't be accepted because I'm rather electic in my beliefs. So, I pretty much keep my views to myself. But I've always wanted to go.

[CalisticSunrise]

As far as i am concerned in highschool everything got around so fast, when someone found out something everyone knew. now in college my faith doesn't really come up that much. i think the students just don't make such a big deal of it now.

[heartandrose]

I went to a really small rural college my first year, and I was open my beliefs but it was hard because I lived on a really conservative campus in the bible belt. It was a public school, but it was still hard. I ended dropping out for many reasons.

[Jeleia]

I didn't know any other pagans in high school and I don't know any in college too.

I'm not very active in activities and clubs at school. I know there is a Christian Group, but I'm not sure if there is a pagan group. I highly doubt it.

Well yesterday at school I bent down to tie my shoe... I looked up and there was a poster about a Pagan club at school. So I looked at the site, looks like its just starting up. I'm thinking about joining but I'm so shy. :nuhuh:

[Ailinea]

Well yesterday at school I bent down to tie my shoe... I looked up and there was a poster about a Pagan club at school. So I looked at the site, looks like its just starting up. I'm thinking about joining but I'm so shy. :nuhuh:

Having been in a group when I was in college...please go. Remember, the people beginning the group are taking a big step by putting themselves out in the open to find YOU. I bet you'll find they're shy and nervous about what kind of people will show up, too!

[Rowan Darkmoon]

College pagan here as well. I've been to two universities, one very liberal and one very conservative, and I find that that type of atmosphere really effects how open people are about their religious beliefs. I'm openly Wiccan, if people want to ask me what I believe I explain it to them, but I don't go advertising here. There is a pagan group on campus at my university, and unfortunately, they've had animosity directed towards them by a few select members of the campus. Very loud members. However, over all I've found that even at my conservative university, many people are very accepting. So, ask if you dare! You may be surprised at the number of pagans you find.

Rowan

[Celtique]

College Pagan here as well. The group I attend is a campus based group, and while we advertise it's not shoved in everyone's face. You'd have to be interested in order to find the info, but it info is very easily obtained.

I've met some great people in my group!

[evie_mun]

I'm a university student too, and I've found the best way to find other Pagans on campus (here in Texas, the "Nation of the good Christian Lord!") Is simply to talk to people. You'd be surprised how open some people may be about their religion. Given, yes, you will probably get some negative responses, but it's all worth it just to find the good stuff out!

[KissMeImIrish!]

I'm a college pagan also, and I have noticed the lack of a pagan/earth based group here too. However, I'm a little too shy to start my own, if there was one available i would certainly join it. _inabox_ When i was in high school there were two 'wiccans' known...me (not-so-known really) and another girl who definately fit in the category of "im doing this to scare ppl". I know this because I was friends with her, and when it got down to the nitty-gritty she didn't look much further than the usual 'hexes/curses' (she once claimed she did them on herself first to see if they worked...much to the fear of our fellow classmates). Aside from that, I don't walk around with a giant pentacle strapped to my body but if anyone is interested, or figures it out themselves (i've only had one person ask me if i was wiccan) then I am more than happy to talk about it with them. (according to this one guy he was surprised I was wiccan because I looked "athletic and normal". hmmm....)I can't help but wonder if he had happend to meet the friend i mentioned before...she would have definately put some strange and scary ideas about pagans in his head!

[rionaxaidan]

I was really surprised when I met another Pagan at school a month or so ago. We're in the process of starting a group on campus right now.

I think one of the reasons why it's harder to find Pagans in college is because it's bigger than high school and therefore harder to know who everyone is.

[Kyra Kismet]

most of the 'Pagans' in my college are wannabes that just wanna look cool with the pentagrams and say they worship 'satan'.....BAH!

[Alvin24]

I'm a college pagan as well.
For the most part, nobody seems to care that I'm Wiccan, but some of my Christian friends do poke fun at me from time to time; I think I've heard every joke having to do with a cauldron, demons, or warty noses ever made.
As for starting a pagan club, I would, but: A) I don't have time to administrate it properly, and B) I have a sinking feeling I'm the only pagan at my campus.
*Sigh* Oh, well.

[Sothis*Crowfeather]

college pagan right here! And I swear to Goddess I am the only one in my stupied, cheap community college>(

[argento_occhi]

uni pagan too. Though i've only met about 2 other pagans out of however many students we have on campus. Not that i take much interest in the social scene at uni. It kinda doesn't exists. Most people go to the pubs in town rather than the one on campus, cos it sucks. Not a lot happens at uni. I go to classes, i come home. Maybe a little shopping in between. I'm open about my beliefs, if anyone asks, but i haven't seen any around. It doesn't matter that much. I'll hopefully be finished next year, unless i decide to quit what i'm doing and switch to journalism or writing. And sod the HECS debt. it's $20 grand already (or there abouts). A few extra thousand won't hurt. plus my credit rating's screwed as it is, so why not worry about it? And now i'm ranting, so i'll be quiet for now.

bright blessings,
argent

[Morning Star]

most of the 'Pagans' in my college are wannabes that just wanna look cool with the pentagrams and say they worship 'satan'.....BAH!

Well, at least they are the ones making themselves obvious. The people who are actually pagan won't feel the need to make if obvious that they are so. :) Usually it takes some looking before you can run into like minded, spirited people.

My problem, is that insomuch as I am a pagan, I find that I do not necessarily fit in well with other pagans, mainly because I don't practice any New Age spirituality, I don't cast spells and I don't worship a particular cultural set of gods and goddesses. However, I'm heading back to college in the spring, so we'll see - maybe I can find some philosophical/humanist types there. :)

[Alexandra Asinine]

I'm no longer a college student, but when I was in college I started an official Pagan student group at my University! Go ahead! But be careful. When you step into the limelight, you open yourself up to criticism and attacks from those within and outside of your group. Keep your real name, phone number and address as anonymous as possible. I aquired stalkers who slashed my car's tires on six seperate occasions and threatened my family.