...the negative connotations surrounding almost all Pagan groups is all pervasive and blatantly discriminatory, but this is changing. Health care professionals and Govern-ment bodies wan tot know more about Pagans so that they can recognize our needs. Religious groups are interested in finding out the truth about Paganism, recognizing us as a religion and welcoming our voices into religious debate...
You might find this book challenging. Do not be surprised by this. We have all grown up with the idea that Witchcraft=Satanism (it most certainly does not;
Satan is a Christian Deity and Pagans are not Christian.) that a Goddess is an absurd idea and that the Earth is just a lump of rock put here for our use.
Before you read on, can I suggest that you consciously put your cynicism on one side and approach this book with an open mind?
It is not meant to make you want to become a Pagan. It does not suggest that Paganism is the only way, or that other religions are bad. It is simply for your information, so that you can deal professionally with any Pagans whom you meet through your work. We do not ask you to like Pagans or to agree with our beliefs and practices, but we hope that by letting you know what Paganism is all about you will feel more confident in dealing with Pagans at least in your professional life.
On Admission... some nurses and doctors thought that "Pagan" meant "no religion". Some became suspicious...
Please use a capital "P" in Pagan. As a proper noun, this is correct and you would not write "christian" or "buddhist"...
The Beginnings of Life / Abortion... we believe that decisions should be made after thought and discussion. Every one of us is a unique individual and what suits one will be inappropriate for another...
Pregnancy and birth... Planned pregnancies are very common in Paganism...
Midwives are very special within our faith... A pregnant woman is a reflection of the Goddess. The laboring woman is powerful and to be treated with respect and reverence. Modern research shows that labor is most effective when the woman is left to do whatever she feels like doing... however, analgesia is certainly an option for the Pagan woman if she wants it. If the Pagan woman has or develops a condition that requires extra help, e.g. diabetes or pre eclampsia, then of course she will accept that care, but she will want to be informed and involved.
If the pregnancy or delivery does not proceed normally, then everyone has to adapt. If the child is very ill...
Children's illnesses... The children of Pagan families are not forced into acceptance of their parents beliefs, but encouraged to make their own, informed choices. No child wants to experience painful treatment, but we can help them to face it with as many helpful tools as necessary... If a child is extremely ill and expresses the wish to die, we will take this seriously. This does not mean that we will remove our child from medical care but that we will listen and talk to nurses, doctors, self-help groups, our peers and the child and together make a decision about the child's treatment.
General illness... Some Pagans believe that if their body gets ill it must make itself better. Some will be able do to this and some will not. This is a concept that is completely alien to modern western thinking, but it is a perfectly valid choice.
If the person is admitted to hospital because they are too ill to prevent it, you will be quite correct in helping them get better. You might even find that after educating them about their condition they will feel prepared to live with and control it. But some will not and authorities will have to accept this as a choice. Choosing to die is not madness and it would be wrong to attempt to section (take into enforced mental health care) these people. They should be supported in their choice, not by helping them to die, but by providing the support services they require: symptomatic control, good pain relief, family support networks, medical and nursing care.
Psychiatric care... Pagan beliefs are not an indication of psychiatric illness! Pagans are no more or less susceptible to psychiatric illness than non-Pagans. It is important that careers are able to differentiate between real illness and Pagan beliefs. Clairaudience... using a spiritual system to relieve psychiatric illness.
Organ donation and reception... Unconsciousness... Death... Complementary therapies... Potential misunderstandings... Pagan festivals in hospital...
Hospital chaplains... and so on.
The Pagan Hospice and Funeral Trust is a Registered Charity, No 1048338
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