Having returned from my trip to Northern Ireland positively overwhelmed with thoughts on activism, religious dialogue and the peace process, I find myself still working to organize and articulate my reflections into an interesting, half-way coherent post. But bear with me — a post is on its way!

In the meantime, however, I thought I would direct folks’ attention to an insightful article by Will Wilkinson, a liberal libertarian, who explores the concept of American identity along lines very similar to those I discussed back in July (although he tackles the issue far more concisely and adeptly than I did!):

Americans certainly aren’t “a people” in the sense that the Japanese, the Kurds, or the Jews are a people. There is no American ethnicity; the U.S. is a resolutely multicultural (and multilingual) country. The usual idea is that American identity is creedal, or organized around a distinctively American set of ideas and values.

The trouble is that even when there is widespread agreement on nominally common values, conceptions of those values vary wildly.

Wilkinson goes on to examine specific examples of just how certain values — for instance, “individual freedom” — have widely variant conceptions among modern politicians and political theorists, and how often these modern conceptions do not accurately reflect the intentions of the Founders, who themselves were often in disagreement.

Some of them took the ideal of individual freedom to be consistent with chattel slavery while others correctly found human bondage obviously at odds with liberty. Some defended a robust conception of freedom of conscience while others wished to ban the practice of certain religions for freedom’s sake. And so on.

These reflections echo my own thoughts on the matter. Even when we can agree on what to call these “common values,” our ideas about what exactly such values mean in detail or what they might look like in practice are often so different and diverse, it would be difficult to argue for a set of “American values” as in any way distinct from human or universal values more generally.

This issue comes up powerfully in Cara’s recent post on Glenn Beck’s promotion of “honor” at his rally last week. Few of us are willing to argue against “honor” as a valuable character trait. However, I do think many Americans, myself included, find such talk of honor couched in overtly religio-conservative-militaristic terms to be disconcerting to say the least. The “affirmation of middle-class, white Christians” as exemplars of honor as Beck conceives it gives us some indication of precisely how we might expect such a value to be upheld and put into practice.

Further complicating the matter is the fact that so much of U.S. politics these days revolves around issues of identity and cultural values, much more than around particular policy decisions and matters of governance. What we are experiencing in the United States right now is quite explicitly a kind of “culture war” in which the American identity itself is up for grabs. Personally, I suspect this focus on values and identity is a deliberate attempt to obscure or distract from the particulars of policy-making. Matters of governance are rarely evaluated in practical terms of merit or consequence, but are immediately placed into the context of competing cultural values. Political leaders make policy decisions based on how it will effect their “image” in the public eye and whether it will help or hinder their chances in future elections, not on a realistic analysis of the pros and cons of putting given policies into practice. As Wilkinson explains,

That’s why movements to glorify, elevate, and honor a particular conception of American identity based on a particular conception of the American creed necessarily  marginalize equally or more historically plausible conceptions and therefore tend to suggest that citizens who favor those conceptions are less or even un-American.

It is hard to imagine a common ground or process of compromise in such a situation, in part because it is often hard to pin down precisely what the similarities and differences in governance actually are. As long as the debate remains focused on whether honor or compassion, self-reliance or social justice rest at the heart of “real American identity,” we will continue to find ourselves stuck in a war of values that demeans or dismisses our political opponents, instead of seeking ways to compromise and work with them.

My suggestion? Let’s set aside this talk of “American identity” and accept instead that such an identity, if it exists at all, is far too diverse and complex to give effective guidance to the specifics of political process. Let us return to discussions of the policies themselves, and allow each citizen to determine for her- or himself how best to embody “honor” or “justice” or “self-reliance” in their political and personal lives. Let’s expect more from our political leaders (and, dare I say it?, talk-show hosts) than the non-stop pandering to group-identity conflict and the inevitable fear-mongering that results. When Glenn Beck and the Tea Party can promote practical suggestions for effective governance, instead of populist unrest and self-congratulation — even if I don’t agree with those suggestions when they come, I’ll be more than ready to engage them in debate.

Although any mention of the Tea Party causes considerable resentment from some Pagans, it’s an important topic to cover.   From what I have seen, more Pagans are joining the Tea Party or groups that affiliate with the Tea Party in the past 6 months or so.  Within the Tea Party, Pagans are starting to be noticed as powerful voices adept at working with non-hierarchical groups such as the Tea Party Patriots.  I now know at least 37 Pagans who are part of the Tea Party movement with more starting to take a closer look at joining in.  There are 6 Pagans who are in leadership positions (although they would define it as organizing, assisting, or facilitating) within the movement.  Most have said they feel they can make an impact within these groups and are “out of the broom closet” with no problems.

I asked all 37 if they were attending the Tax Day Rally held on April 15th and if they were, if they would be willing to give a brief write-up of their experience.   I also put out a call for counter-demonstrators and infiltrators. Many Tea Party Pagans I talked to said they were either unable to attend the rally or didn’t want to be public about their involvement with the Tea Party.  Even with using an alias they were concerned that fellow Pagans would be able to find out who they were and give them a hard time.

They have said they are willing to answer questions that are asked in the comments section, either directly or by emailing me the answer.

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Catherine lives in Washington and has attended several Tea Party rallies.

Oak lives in Illinois and is a facilitator in his local Tea Party Patriot group.

Allison lives in Georgia and is part of Kick Them All Out, a group that works with Tea Party and Tea Party affiliated groups.

GreenWitch lives in Kansas with her partner.

HarkenTheGods lives in New York and agreed to attend a rally just to see what it was about.

Rob lives in California and attended his first Tea Party rally as a protester.

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Catherine – I ended up at two rallies on Tax Day. The first was in Olympia, and the second, Seattle, WA.

My eldest son (age 12) was with me all through the rallies. Both of us were in the crowd, carrying a US and Gadsden flags. The crowds were very peaceful, as they’ve been at every rally we’ve attended. People are polite, laughing, talking, getting in touch with others who share a like mind and networking for future activities. I’ve yet to see any racist/sexist/or homophobic signs or attitudes among TeaPartiers, and every rally I’ve been to I’ve seen minorities welcomed with open arms. It’s also worth noting that the cultural mix at the TeaParties is pretty much the same as what I encounter in my day to day activities.

I encountered one counter-protester in Olympia, who yelled at me for being a pro-war conservative. I responded that I was a Libertarian and I’d opposed Bush’s war-mongering as loudly as I now opposed Obama continuing these same policies. When I asked her if she opposed Obama’s war policies she walked away and refused to answer. I know there were 2 or 3 other counter-protesters there, but I didn’t have any interaction with them.

There were approximately 30 counter-protesters in Seattle, and one infiltrator that I saw who tried to enter the crowd with a sign referring to himself as a TeaBagger, and with quotes on his sign from a man recently arrested for some rather vile threats against Patty Murray. He was surrounded pretty rapidly by TeaParty members who let him know, politely, that he was not welcome and that the sentiments on his sign were not those expressed by Teaparty members. At one point he was surrounded by five or six signs pointing to him saying Infiltrator, and Agent Provocateur.

I didn’t have any Pagan friends attending, but again, the mix of people I knew is pretty consistent with my everyday life.

I would be willing to answer questions that people have regarding the TeaParties and my experience as long as the choose to be polite and are actually interested in debate. I see no sense in pointless name-calling and don’t waste my time with people whose only interest is spreading hate.

Oak – It was a very busy time trying to make sure everything went well for the rally. I was so busy before, during, and after that I didn’t see much.

We had a good turn-out, several hundred people. A high number since we were out in the suburbs and not one of the big rallies. We were careful in policing people. There are always wackos that show up at any political event and we are sick of them being displayed as prime examples of who and what we are. That is such bullshit. We heard reports that people would try to infiltrate the rallies and pose as Tea Partiers and hold up racist signs but I didn’t see anything like that. Perhaps at the big rally in Chicago that was a problem, but not where I was. We had one joker with a sign that was just wrong, so we told him to throw the sign away or leave. He was pissed, but I didn’t care.

I was busy enough that I didn’t get to hear much of what the speakers were saying. The speakers like to think they matter for the rally, but they don’t. They are a prop. What really matters is creating a good ritual experience.   It’s a community building ritual so the focus needs to be on the ritual elements. Grouping together to establish a connection to one another and sharing energy. Building the energy up and then guiding it to a positive release so it can work our Will in the world. I understand this. This is just another way that being Pagan gives me a leg up on working within any political group, but the Tea Party in particular. I’ve begun talking to other Tea Party facilitators about this and they’ve been extremely interested. They are going to try to replicate what our rally did in other cities.

Allison – This rally gave me hope! I’m so pumped! In past rallies we have been pushed to the side a bit since our message is, “No matter who they are or what Party they belong to – VOTE THEM OUT!” I’m not sure what has changed, but many more people wanted to talk to us and get information from us.

At the rally, each group got to have a small table off to the side where you could put your information and have a staffer there to answer questions. In the past, we would only have one person staff the table and they would be bored stiff. I was planning on walking around the rally and listening to the speakers when our table staffer called me on my cell. She needed me to return to the table because so many people were there to talk to us! I spent the rest of the rally at the table. For the most part, people were receptive to our message or at least willing to be open to it.

So many people signed up to be on the mailing list that we more than doubled our database. What a day!

GreenWitch – What was the rally like? Let me tell you a story.

When I and my partner arrived at the demonstration we got out our signs (Libertarian Lesbians) and began our long walk to where the rally was held. We were talking about the upcoming Pagan festivals that we would be attending this summer. They are the highlight of our summer, but we need to find a better way to beat the heat. My partner squeezed my hand and said, “Isn’t that Pagan X walking over there? With that small group?” I looked and waved and called out a greeting. I was surprised she was attending a Tea Party rally, but we had been to many anti-war/civil rights protests together so perhaps she was here to protest President Obama’s continuation of Bush’s appalling policies. We walked towards each other and then looked at each others signs.

I won’t say what was on her sign, but it was incredibly offensive. It was opposite of everything she and I believe. She was shocked that I was there to be part of the Tea Party demonstration. She thought I was there, like her, to infiltrate or oppose the Tea Party. Shock turned to anger when I refused to leave the rally and said that I would let the officials at the rally know that her group was planning to be deceptive with their signs.

She got back in her car and left. After telling me that I am a traitor to Paganism and that we are no longer friends. Our tent would no longer be welcome in her group at the summer festivals.  I felt the same way as when I came out to some of my straight friends after college.  Cut off, dirty, worthless.

My partner and I attended the rally and nothing really stood out to me and I couldn’t pay attention. My heart was too heavy.

What I do remember is that the rally was rather bland compared to the emotionally charged anti-war protests I have attended for years. I didn’t feel uncomfortable, it wasn’t angry, or even impassioned.

I support the main message of the Tea Party. I think our political Parties have grown arrogant and don’t listen to us. I feel that frustration. I don’t support the Healthcare Bill. I’m worried that it will take money, time, and attention away from fixing Medicare. I want a single payer system for everybody and feel the Bill was giant step back in entrenching the insurance industry more firmly in power. I believe our government, no matter who is in power, is seeking to control more and more of our lives. That’s what power does. I am totally opposed to the government giving money to businesses to bail them out. What about all the people who need help? I used to be a firm supporter of the Democratic Party. Not anymore. They are just as in bed with Big Business as the Republicans. I just wish the Tea Party would ROAR and exude a fiery passion instead of the mild and scattered response they display.

HarkenTheGods – I wasn’t too excited about attending this Tea Party shit. I’ve been laughing at them and poking fun at them. Face it, they are easy targets. But, I do have some integrity, so I checked them out for myself.

They are still funny. Still easy targets.

But they aren’t racists and most of them aren’t nutcases. What they are is a mishmash. You got anti-tax people. People who want all the bums thrown out. Fair tax, flat tax, and no tax. People who are ok with the amount of taxes, but think the government spends it on the wrong stuff. Don’t like the bail-outs. Don’t like the Healthcare bill. Want more spending on education. Less corruption. Legalize pot.

What I got, is the groups that are in this thing, don’t really agree on much. They agree that the government is fucking things up, incompetent, corrupt, and doesn’t give a shit what any of us think. The two things that everyone I talked to agreed on was that the national debt was out of control and that the bail-outs under Bush and Obama were wrong.

The people were friendly. New York gets a bad rap for being assholes, but that isn’t true. Families were at the rally and there were a few minorities in the crowd and stage. No one was angry or violent or any more of a freak then you see on the street. I didn’t see or hear anything extreme or threatening. You hear these same conversations at the bar and at the diner. After going to their little party, I can’t see how people get so upset about them. Like most protesters, they are ignorant and a joke, but not boogieman dangerous.

Rob – I went to protest the Tea Party Tax Day Rally because I think the group is foolish and dangerous. We all know that fiscally conservative is code for throwing those in need to the wolves of Big Business.

I’d say there were over a hundred counter-protesters there. We chanted so loud that the people in the back of their rally couldn’t hear their speakers. Good. No one should hear that lying, hateful garbage. People who go to these rallies are either unbalance or deceived. The only reason they are protesting is because there is a black man in office. The. Only. Reason. Everything else is an excuse. Every Pagan out there should be shouting these racist fuckers down. You can’t be a Pagan and be a part of this group. Anyone who says differently is messed up in the head or is a closet Christian ready to don the white hood.

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As always, if you are a Pagan and are part of the Tea Party movement, let me know.  Many of you are finding me on FaceBook and Twitter.

I would like to extend a sincere “thank you” to everyone who agreed to do a small write-up of their experience at the Tax Day rally.  Likewise, I would like to thank all of you who read this blog.  Your willingness to listen to other perspectives and points of view, and engage in civil discourse, are what I consider one of the Pagan community’s greatest virtues.

Watching the various Tea Party groups ramp up their rhetoric in preparation for their April 15th rallies (subtitled “Help Us Build a New Revolution”) reminds me of my own youthful protesting against the war in Southeast Asia. It got me wondering how this year’s protesters were so different from those I remember joining with.

Protesting has been part of the American political scene since the Boston Tea Party (or even before). We were founded by dissenters, and populated by men and women of courage who would rather leave their homelands than abandon their faith and beliefs, serve in the military, or face starvation.

So if political protest is something I agree with, something I have done personally with commitment and enthusiasm, why does the Tea Party movement feel “wrong” to me? This needed some research and considered thought, which I will share.

First, every attempt at dialog I have made with folks involved in the movement has failed. When I was outside the Expo Center in Portland, I tried talking to the protesters. I asked them what cuts in federal and state spending they felt should be made to lower taxes (no suggestions), whether they would like to cut spending by withdrawing our military from foreign wars as Ron Paul suggested (no takers), and what alternative to federal health care legislation they would have preferred (no suggestion, just repeal, but nobody happy with the status quo either).

The folks I talked to (and I’ll admit I didn’t talk to each and every one, just about a dozen at random) felt just as strongly about their position as I did about mine. What I felt was missing was a way to move forward.

If you’re protesting a war, explaining your solution is easy: negotiation leading to a peace agreement. When it comes to legislation, things get knottier, I guess. But the other thing, the thing that really set my teeth on edge, was the anger at government itself, the feeling that absolutely nothing emanating from a central authority would be acceptable, the threatening, confrontational manner (getting closer and closer to those waiting to see the president, until they were mere inches away).

When I protested war, even to the point of civil disobedience, it was non-confrontational. We took a stand against the taking of life, but there was no sense of impending doom, no hate-filled signs. What I saw in the protesters in Portland was quite the opposite. The tea party supporters, by their own words, believe that this nation is under attack and that they need to defend it. They believe that:

Many are in fear of the demise of our Great nation. The fear is legitimate. There is only one entity that will turn things around and save our constitution and our country as we once knew it. “We the People”.

They believe that:

The Tea Party dream includes all who possess a strong belief in the foundational Judaic/Christian values embedded in our great founding documents.

Please judge for yourself. I would never dream of telling you what to believe or how you should define your political beliefs or actions, and I completely respect your right to believe and act as you think you should After all, we are a faith that believes in personal responsibility. Thing is, I don’t understand how a movement that claims to defend the Constitution can violate its First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…

Maybe that’s nit-picking (I don’t believe it is), but it goes deeper than that.

I can’t understand the failure to believe that we, as a people, are resilient, have been through challenging times and been strengthened by them; have the will to join together as Americans, whatever our beliefs; have the common sense to elect leaders we believe in, and to elect someone else if we don’t like the result. We don’t need anger; we need dialog, and I just don’t see that in the Tea Party.

Tea Party attempts to draft Dan Halloran for Congress
I didn’t want to return to this topic quite so early, but after I read the post on The Wild Hunt “Quick Note: Halloran for Congress?” I changed my mind. Halloran has been impressing local Tea Party groups at gatherings meant to screen and interview politicians and candidates. So much so they were calling on him to run for Congress.

Allow me to pause for a moment just to revel in how far we have come in such a short time. Two years ago I would never thought an openly Pagan candidate could still win his seat after his opponent used his religion against him. Especially after photos of him in ceremonial dress were published with the headline of “Pagan Lord” and captioned  “First Muggle of Hogwarts” hit the Press. What about you? In your wildest dreams did you guess that earlier this week non-Pagans would be talking about the possibility of supporting a Pagan for Congress?

Even though Halloran decided not to run for Congress, that he was asked is another milestone we have passed in our journey for civil rights. Another step forward.  Part of that step forward is the response within the Tea Party to Halloran.

People within the Tea Party, in a Letter to the Editor, in Twitter, and in Tea Party forums, were saying Halloran would make a good Congressional candidate and he had their support if he decided to run for Congress. When his religion is mentioned, it is usually from people asking what the heck it is or people commenting that it would be great to have a non-Christian candidate to combat the view that the Tea Party is a fundamentalist Christian group.

“I could give a shit less what his religion is, we need more like Halloran running for Congress!” – Wayne, Tea Party Patriot forum

“WTF is Theodism?” – Angela, Tea Party chat
“It’s some old Viking stuff. You know, honor and family and Odin and shit like that.” - Dreeson, Tea Party chat
“Hmh. Vikings? Sounds like my husband’s family. What’s the big deal?.” – Angela, Tea Party chat

I’ve been pleased at how positive the comments have been about Halloran. They really, really like him.

Reading the Tea Leaves
The story of Tea Party support for an openly Pagan politician is at odds with the popular portrayal of the Tea Party. There is no shortage of articles that describe the Tea Party movement as a racist, right-wing, Christian fundamentalist response to having a black man in the White House and describe persons who are part of this movement as paranoids with a distorted sense of reality.

There is confusion and conflicting information about almost every aspect of the Tea Party movement. Not even the origins of the movement are entirely clear. What is interesting is that the Tea Party Patriots, an information dissemination, planning, and networking hub, has created an origin mythos for the movement.

Keli Carender has a pierced nose, performs improv on weekends and lives here in a neighborhood with more Mexican grocers than coffeehouses. You might mistake her for the kind of young person whose vote powered  President Obama to the White House. You probably would not think of her as a Tea Party type.

But leaders of the Tea Party movement credit her with being the first.

As for who Tea Partiers are, the Sam Adams Alliance has released a 28 page report entitled Activist Insights Report: Market Research on the Tea Party Movement, its Leaders and their Motivations.

The conclusion of this report is that the Tea Party activists are not the “other,” and they cannot be defined through a single statement, document, or definition. They are the early adopters of a new empowerment.

Some of the findings? About half of Tea Partiers are new to political involvement, almost 2/3rds have a college degree or higher, and they are very adept at social media. If you received tweets linking to new Tea Party iPhone apps you probably aren’t surprised by any of this. The report is worth looking at in detail to learn more about Tea Partiers in general.

The Interviews
So what is it like for Pagans who are involved with the movement? I interviewed three Pagans who volunteered to relate their experiences and I have a list of 27 more who are planning to be involved shortly and agree to be interviewed later. If you would like to interviewed now or at a later date, feel free to contact me through this blog.

Ellen is living in the Los Angeles, California area. Her and her husband are loosely associated with the Ventura Country Tea Party group.

Oak lives in a suburb of Chicago and is a facilitator in his local Tea Party Patriot group.

Allison lives in Georgia and is part of Kick Them All Out, a group that works with Tea Party and Tea Party affiliated groups.

How does religion – yours or others – interact with the movement? Do they know your religion? Are you worried about them finding out? Is it very “Christian” in tone?

Ellen – I’m not worried about anyone finding out, but I don’t advertise, and I find it easier to blend in (in like manner I don’t go out of my way to tell other pagans that I’m conservative). Most Tea Parties are wonderfully open and accepting of all stripes and go out of their way to speak of God in general terms. Sometimes it’s more Christian than that, which doesn’t bother me in small doses.

Oak – Most people there know I’m a Pagan and it’s never been a problem. Like everywhere I go, Christians out number the non-Christians, and they sometimes forget that not everyone is of the same religion.

Allison – Our group, and when we get together with other groups for a Tea Party rally, is very open to all or no religions. We sometimes take turns saying a few words before a rally to pray for success. I pray to my gods, others pray to their god and the atheists lead us in a cheer of “Go humans!” We had one person who was extremely pushy about religion and she was asked to not come back.

Do you feel that you can impact the group, or do you feel that you can only follow what leaders set forth?

Oak – I’m a bit of a loudmouth, I guess, so I was pegged right away to be a facilitator. I’ve also had experience in helping with Pagan groups and if you can get a group of Pagans headed all in one direction, you can get any group moving. That experience has helped and has earned me the respect of others in the movement. Yes, I would say I’m having an impact on the group.

Allison – I don’t really want to be a leader. I enjoy helping out, and if there was something going on that I disagreed with I would say something.

What do you like about the Tea Party?

Ellen – It is wonderfully grass roots — it sprang organically into life last April 15 all over the nation as Americans peacefully and cheerfully (and even a little sheepishly) came together to say “Hell no!” to Washington. I can count on one hand the number of individuals I have run into who could be described as “angry.” We’re firm and determined, telling our elected employees that they are not doing what we sent them there to do. But we laugh and joke and have a good time toting our posters and flags on street corners. It does get noisy tho, with all the cars honking in solidarity. We’re out there to say to our fellow Americans, “you are not alone in your dissatisfaction.” People seem to appreciate that.

Oak – I like that people can take a leadership role without there being leaders. This is what I’m used to in my spirituality so it’s familiar to me. Most people are excited and willing to pitch in. Self-policing is difficult but we are getting it down. I used to be the one who would say “Leave your Party at the door” or “Take your social issues shit somewhere else” when people would go off on things not related to our mission. Now everyone else pipes up before I can. Imagine! Political discussions and never once is abortion mentioned! That I like.

Allison – I like they at least will work with us on challenging incumbents and believe that there are no free rides in elections. It’s fun to meet up with other small groups that share that view. The Tea Partiers are the ones that bring us all together for rallies. Together we are stronger.

What do you not like about the Tea Party?

Ellen – I don’t think there is anything I don’t like per se. Any movement has its lunatic fringe, and I guess I don’t like how the main stream media persists in finding the crazies to put on the news, when they pay any attention to us at all. They are drawn like flies to the one or two persons with extreme views. I have never seen a swastica in the crowd. And the only “Nazi” was actually a La Raza heckler who was trying to be disruptive. I know because we engaged him and his pals in debate for half an hour at the last Tea Party we attended (incidentally keeping them from getting loud and disruptive again).

Oak – I wish there was more of a unified message. It’s starting to happen, just not soon enough for me. I don’t like that there aren’t as many speakers from the Democrat Party there. We keep inviting them, but they won’t answer us. If we just keep having Republicans speak then the group will turn off Conservative Democrats and Independents.

In your opinion, is the Tea Party “grassroots” or is it controlled or created?

Ellen – Definitely grassroots.

Oak – grassroots, but the Republicans would love to control us. That ain’t gonna happen. No way it was created. If it was created it wouldn’t have been such a chaotic mess in the beginning.

Allison – I don’t know.

When someone tells you that the reason the Tea Party exists is because there is a black man in the White House or says the Tea Party is a racist group, what is your reaction?

Ellen – Hogwash. Obama was elected by a majority of the people because they believed he would be bipartisan. It quickly became apparent that he is hyperpartisan. When people said they wanted “change” they meant change from business as usual in Washington, not a complete make-over of our American way of life. We are not Europe and we don’t want to go there.

Oak – My reaction? I would tell them they are full of shit right to their face. I would also tell them if they had any honor, they would attend a rally with me and they could see what it’s like for themselves. That shit is said by people who have never attended a rally or been to a meeting.

Have you seen or experienced racism in the Tea Party?

Ellen – No. Well, yes — by the La Raza hecklers toward Americans in general and whites in particular.

Oak – Sometimes there are people who show up and think this is their kind of racist place because of what they have read about the Tea Party. At first, when we weren’t as organized, we just ignored them. I said that was the wrong thing to do, we should have kicked their asses right out of the rally. Others said it was only a few and ignoring them would take their power away. Guess what was on the news? The couple of idiots trying to start trouble. That’s what we got identified with, two racist asshole. Not the hundreds of other people there. Now – we kick their ass out if we see them.

Allison – Yes, but they don’t stay. They aren’t welcome.

What is the response by other Tea Party members when people present racist views?

Ellen – As these were hecklers, the Tea Party folks just told people to ignore them. But my husband and I decided to engage them in a spirited debate (never heated). We figured they were there to cause trouble and we kept them distracted. At the end of the Tea Party they unfurled a Mexican flag and managed to get a rise out of a couple people. They video taped it and put it on the internet that night, to “show” the “angry” people at the Tea Party.

Oak – Like I said, we kick their ass out.

Allison – we ignore them. If that doesn’t work then we tell them to go away.

Is there anything that you would like to tell Pagans not affiliated with Tea Party about the Tea Party?

Ellen – I don’t have to say anything to Conservative Pagans (yes, we are out here), because they get it. To all the other Pagans, I say just because we don’t agree with your methods doesn’t mean we disagree with your goals. We all want the same thing — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We just think people should be the architects of their own lives. Big Government is impersonal and soulless. It will suck the life out of this nation.

Oak – Join us if you’re for fiscal responsibility and a limited federal government. It is a conservative group, but not right-wing Christian fundie group with a social agenda. The Tea Party is a good fit for pagans. It’s really trying hard to allow people to take leadership roles without forcing a hierarchy on you, much like how most pagan groups act. Pagans have so much more experience in that type of environment that we are quickly singled out for how effective we are. That means we can influence the hell out of this movement, but only if we get involved. I read your article about how the Tea Party may offer pagans the chance to influence politics in a way that belonging to the Republican or Democrat Parties just can’t. I agree with that!

Allison – Not really. Just that people should attend before they decide that the Tea Party or other groups that work with them are a hate group. The people involved aren’t horrible racist Christians. I’ve heard some pretty awful things said about the Tea Party and I don’t think that’s right. The stuff said about Tea Partiers is more hateful and personal than anything I have heard from Tea Partiers. I get that the most from pagans. I don’t even tell them I’m going to a rally anymore because I can’t stand the lecture about what a bad thing I’m supporting an how they hope someone bombs the rally. OK. I guess I did have something to say after all!

END OF INTERVIEWS

For examples of the type of comments from fellow Pagans that all three Pagans I interviewed talked about, you need only read the comments section of The Wild Hunt following the article about Halloran’s possible candidacy for Congress.

It’s sad that one of the first openly Pagan candidates is gleefully wedded to a dangerous fringe movement that prides itself on its inability to reason. But who knows, maybe there’s a bright side: he might drag the tea baggers down with him. – Gene

I fully understand the “idea” of the tea party being disgusted with politicians in general, from BOTH parties, but when this “groundswell” of anger manifests itself in a collective of ignorant, intolerant, conspiracy-theory nutjobs who wouldn’t know a critical thinking skill if it smacked them upside their heads, I cannot bring myself to symphasise with their “movement” at all, especially when it is so transparently in the pockets of the worst that right-wing, self-absorbed and totally un-empathetic conservative “values” have to offer. – Alex Pendragon

The irony of comments like the ones quoted above directed at a group that is embracing and supporting a politician they know to be Pagan and urging him to run for higher office is interesting for what it says about us (Pagans) and how we treat those with views other than our own. When the Tea Party and other non-liberal political groups, Christianity and other monotheistic religions, or other groups viewed as outside the mainstream of Paganism are talked about in our community the language directed at those people and groups is often times reflexively pejorative and hostile.

So let me close with a quote from the most recent journal entry from dionysusdevotee titled A Call For Intellectual Honesty and Mutual Understanding. If you don’t already read his journal, I recommend it greatly.

… at the same time the very groups we condemn; those evil right wingers, those nasty Christians, and the rest of the collection of people we simply FEAR are peopled with those who seek common ground and understanding. And yet; with the same hand we so recently wagged a finger with at them, admonishing them to open their minds, we then turn and bitch slap the lot of them and paint them with the same broad brush of “evil” that we so recently were the victims of ourselves.

No understanding, no wisdom, and no common ground will come from this “us versus them, good vs evil, right vs wrong” mentality. Regardless of which side is doing the judging. It will always be impossible to reach out to and understand an individual as long as we insist on treating people as generalistic ideologies. How can we claim to support diversity and deny its existence every step of the way?

Ironically I find myself in the position of having to admit that the people that live up and down my street, the right wing christian, gun totin’ hicks; by and large are more tolerant and accepting of people who REALLY think differently than many in my peer group. The fact that they give so called “progressives” a run for their money in the tolerance department, well, its just sad.

Just a quick update: Since signing up for a local Tea Party group I’ve been looking through their (and other Tea Party groups) blogs, forums, and reading the Twitter feeds. There are two main topics that are being discussed quite passionately: To Third Party or Not to Third Party and growing resentment over the GOP, in the guise of the Tea Party Nation, trying to control the Tea Party.

I don’t normally read Newsmax, but this story is being linked to talked about more than any other.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s statement that tea party activists need to start “picking a party” is part of a “coordinated assault” against the conservative grass-roots movement by the Republican establishment, tea party leaders tell Newsmax.

A series of events this week have pushed some tea party leaders to the brink of firing back at GOP officials they see as potentially compromising their organizations’ independent status.

“Anybody who expects tea party members to vote based on party lines fundamentally misunderstands the movement,” says Mark Meckler, a co-founder of Tea Party Patriots and one of its national coordinators. “The tea party movement is made up of people who value principle above party.”

This week’s meeting between RNC Chairman Michael Steele and “tea party leaders” appeared to aggravate the growing divide. Most of the major tea party groups steered clear of the four-hour sessions, and some even suggested Steele was trying to “hijack” the movement for his own purposes.

Tea party insiders say that whenever the tea parties are portrayed as aligned with the GOP, the independents and disenchanted Democrats within the grass-roots movement feel alienated.

Publicly, Republican leaders insist they respect the movement’s independence. But tea party leaders see indications their true intentions are otherwise.

“I think we are facing a coordinated assault by the GOP to a bend the tea parties toward them,” Everett Wilkinson of the Tea Party Patriots tells Newsmax.

The entire article is worth reading and is, based on a short time reading Tea Party blogs and tweets, representative of the frustration people within the movement are feeling at GOP encroachment and strong arm tactics.

We certainly don’t walk the beaten path when it comes to religion, yet many of us feel compelled to do so when it comes to politics. Republican or Democrat, that old duality, is the only choice we have. That’s what we tell ourselves.  Falling back into a mode of duality thinking, we extol the virtues of the one and demonize the other. It’s a very Abrahamic way of looking at things from a supposedly non-Abrahamic group of people. Early teachings and cultural immersion bites deep.

The main argument for not supporting Third Parties and their candidates is that a vote for them is a wasted vote. Supporting a Third Party is to marginalize yourself and the issues you hold dear. But here’s a question for you, are Pagans any less marginalized in the Democratic or Republican Parties? Both are old, established Parties that have shown little intention to hear anything we say. The power brokers are firmly in place and we have little chance of entering those elite ranks and affecting platforms or policies. In a choice between having more voice in a powerless group or having no voice in a powerful group, which vote is more of a waste?

There may be a window of opportunity in the USA to create a different power paradigm, one that could be especially appealing to Center and Right of Center Pagans. Due to voter dissatisfaction with both the Democrat and Republican Parties and the extremely low approval numbers for Congress (20% approval) the time is ripe for either a viable Third Party to emerge or for serious reform of our existing two main Parties.

Although I haven’t made up my mind, I have been giving serious consideration to getting involved with the Tea Party.  As of now, they are not a true political Party, more of an umbrella name for a political movement,  but they are gaining in power. According to one poll 41% of likely voters now have a favorable opinion of the Tea Party, compared with 35% for Democrats and 28% for Republicans.  If the tea party really were a party, it’s candidates could expect to beat their Democratic and Republican opponents.

In time they may become a political party or they may be an agent for reform within the (mostly) Republican and (some) Democrat parties. This is some of what I have found out about the Tea Party over the past year:

• Tea Party has no fixed platform, no established hierarchy, and is brand new so it could be possible for Pagans to become influential within it – more of a chance than within the existing established parties.

• There seems to be three main things they agree on:  Both major parties are to blame for (insert issue here), neither were fully responsive to voters and it’s time to clean house. The desire for a smaller, less intrusive Federal government. The national budget must be balanced and excessive national debt is generational theft.

• They do seem sincere that the group is to be non-partisan and Democrats are welcomed, but let’s face it, the main message outlined about is not going to appeal to many Liberals. That said, people I’ve talked to said they would love it if people like Hilary Clinton and Jon Stewart would speak at Tea Party rallies. That makes sense when you realize how many Independents there are in the Tea Party. A poll in Iowa found that Independents account for nearly half of Tea Party supporters, Republicans represent a third, and Democrats 17 percent.

• They are trying to stay away from social issues, although some of the sub-groups are very focused on pushing a social based agenda. I think that sooner or later they will turn to social issues, which is another area that I think we could influence if we become involved.

• Most of the Tea Party groups seem sane, but some are either flat out racists or are religiously exclusionary. The sane ones seem to be trying to push the racists out and not allow the fundamentalists to take over. But that wacky minority could give the Tea Party a bad name and could cause people to leave the Tea Party. The Tea Party needs to more forcefully eject these people from their ranks.   I’m sure the Heathens can empathize.

• I love their tactics. Even if I don’t become involved with the Tea Party, I think Pagans would do well to learn from what the Tea Party is doing. They are encouraging candidates to challenge incumbents of both parties in primary contests to ensure that career politicians stay responsive to the voters. They are encouraging Tea Party members to file as candidates for the office of precinct executive within both Parties – this places Tea Party activists in GOP and DNC leadership positions and allows them to change the party from within. They actually have a PowerPoint presentation that shows interested persons how to run for precinct executives.

The disorganization and infighting really puts me off. That’s just a personal peeve and is one thing about the Pagan community that drives me nuts, too. I’m more of a ‘suck it up and do your job efficiently’ kind of person.  If the Tea Party starts to run on Tea Party Standard Time – I’m out of there.

I’m going to join a local Tea Party group and I’ll let you know my impressions, particularly from a Pagan perspective. Are they accepting of us? Is there an opportunity for Pagans to gain a more prominent voice in American politics through them? I also want to know what your personal experiences are with the Tea Party. Have any of you joined a Tea Party group? Have you been to any rallies?

I’ve been told I am naive to think that involvement with the Tea Party, or any Party outside of the DNC or GOP, can make a difference.   I may be naive, but I do fondly remember “throwing away my vote” for a Third Party candidate in 1998 in the Minnesota Gubernatorial race.

Update: I was sent this and had to agree to it before I could get into the Minnesota Tea Party group that I wished to take a look at:  I agree that MinnesotaTeaPartyPatriots.org is a nonviolent group of citizens. I agree not to invoke call for violence or violent activities. I am free to vent my frustrations and disapproval under the appropriate topics. I am free to disagree, debate and take issue with other members in a manner that is non threatening. I will not attempt to put myself ahead of the parade, but that I stand and march in the parade and lift this movements efforts up to the best of my abilites. I agree that this organization will not tolerate racism of any kind. I further agree acknowledgement that this site is named the “working group” and I am here to work.

I’m looking through the group’s information now and looking at their Twitter feed.  As of now, I see quite a bit of chatter about if the group should be a change agent within the two Parties or if it should become a Third Party and what the Pros and Cons are.  Discussion over if person X (X = multiple names, like Beck, Palin, et al) help or hurt the Tea Party and if they are a part of it.  That gets a bit heated.    Chatter about the National group and if they are the National group or just a group that wants to be “in charge.”  Lots of comments about how they don’t need anyone telling them what to do in Minnesota and others saying that there has to be some leadership.  Lists of events – mostly what politician is speaking where.  That’s all for now.  I’ll update more as I see it.