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The Pagan Federation was founded in 1971 to provide information on Paganism
and to counter misconceptions about the religion. The Pagan Federation
works for the rights of Pagans to worship freely and without censure.
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Britain
is a signatory, states:
'Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;
this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom,
either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to
manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.'
The Pagan Federation publishes a quarterly journal, Pagan Dawn, (formerly
The Wiccan, founded in 1968), and other publications. It arranges members-only
and public events, and maintains personal contact by letter with individual
members and with the wider Pagan community. Conferences and regional gatherings
are held throughout the UK and in other countries.
The Aims and Objectives of the Pagan Federation as set out in the Constitution
are:
- To seek to support all Pagans in their personal and public life,
to help ensure that they have the same rights as the followers of other
beliefs and members of other religions.
- To promote a positive profile for Pagans and Paganism and to provide
information on Pagan paths and beliefs to the media, official bodies
and the greater community.
- To facilitate effective communication, education and dialogue within
and between Pagan communities and with non Pagans, through publications
and events.
In more detail, the work of the PF is:
- To provide open access to Pagan Worship, and to facilitate the celebration
of the sacred festivals of Paganism.
- To provide support, advice, and pastoral care for Pagans in the community,
including those in hospitals, Hospices and Prisons: to act as a liaison
body between Pagan Ministers and the authorities concerned.
- To promote contact and dialogue between the various branches of Paganism
and other religious traditions.
- To promote contact and dialogue between the various branches of British
and European based Paganism and contact with Pagan and other Ethnic
or Tribal religions world-wide.
- To undertake an educative role for people not familiar with Pagan
beliefs and ways by providing practical and effective information on
Paganism to members of the public, the media, public bodies and the
Administration.
- To maintain contact by letter, through events, and the publication
of a Quarterly magazine, with individual Members and the wider Pagan
community.
- To provide members with local contacts where possible with other Members
through correspondence or meetings.
Membership of the Pagan Federation (England & Wales)* is open to any
Pagan aged 16 or over who supports our Aims and Objectives. Followers
of all Pagan Paths are welcome.
What do you get if you join the PF?
By joining the PF you join a nationwide network of Pagans, so that you
can make contact with other Pagans through your local officer, through
attending conferences, moots and other events.
You will also receive the PF magazine, Pagan Dawn and the Members' News
supplement, your District Newsletter, invitations to Members-only events,
as well as discounts on PF products and conference tickets.
Most importantly, by paying your subscription you contribute to the work
which the PF carries out, such as:
- PEBBLE which is the "Public Body Liaison Committee for British
Paganism", who are helping create government guidelines for recognising
paganism.
- Prison Visiting
- Hospital Visiting
- Interfaith work and meetings
- Response to Appeals such as the 2004 disaster in Boscastle, which
affected the Museum of Witchcraft.
- Media Liaison on Pagan issues.
- General campaigning on issues of interest to Pagans.
For information for non-UK Pagans, please see the PF
International web site.
The Pagan Federation welcomes all Genuine Seekers.
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