A Birthday for all Pagans to Celebrate

Generally birthdays come and go, as we age the importance of these events diminish. Today, however, our community has the opportunity to celebrate the 16th birthday of a very well mannered young Wiccan. So why should you care? Is he exceptional in maturity, intelligence, insight or character? Yes I believe he is. Yet these things are not the reasons we should celebrate with this this young man.

Recently, I was visiting his parents on a short stop over in Florida and had the chance to visit with young Morgan Owens. While I was having the unusual experience of a very intelligent and mature discussion ( with a 15 year old) it came up that Morgan has lived his whole life openly as a Wiccan; interesting I thought, openly sharing who he is with all those who care to inquire.

I did not know how wrong my assumption was as Morgan produced a high school yearbook with an entire article devoted to him and his Wiccan faith. Immediately my thoughts turned to some very liberal private high school. Wrong again! Morgan attends a public high school in south Florida.

Stunned does not begin to describe the look on my face as this fact sank in. High School, you know, that place where cruelty is inflicted on those who dare to be different, openly accepting this teen, proclaiming even celebrating his alternative beliefs in an official year book! There is so much left to accomplish in our pursuit of Pagan rights, yet, in front of me was standing a shinning example of how far we have come.

While I am sure that Morgan’s unusual level of maturity has influenced the situation, it remains that this is an outstanding example of the tolerance, compassion and interfaith understanding that humanity can achieve. Frankly I was hit by the insight that if these young people, in high school, can do this so can humanity as a whole.

Morgan, in each generation there is a first, first to integrate a school, first woman elected etc. As far as I can tell, you also are a first, a privileged position that you seem to well deserve. It is my hope that the entire Pagan community will join me in wishing you a Happy 16th Birthday!