From the Atheopagan Society: A Statement of Policy Values
Ours is an engaged spirituality: engaged in society, engaged in the world. Atheopagans care not only about our own growth, joy in living, discovery and wonder, but the well-being of our fellow humans and the biosphere of which we are each a part.
Our Atheopagan values, enshrined in the Four Sacred Pillars and the 13 Principles, are modern, progressive, inclusive, and in some cases have radical implications for improving conditions in our world. We understand the destructive and unsustainably rapacious nature of industrial capitalism, and know the values that dominate the world must change for justice, biodiversity, kindness and happiness to prevail.
This is not just abstract. Activism is a part of our movement and we see engagement in social change as not supplemental, but essential to the practice of Atheopaganism, whether it is as little as simply to vote, or as much as to organize a mass movement or run for office.
But statements of general values can sometimes be too unspecific to serve as actual policy guidance. Accordingly, the nonprofit Atheopagan Society, after review, input and edits to a draft by many members of our community, has approved a Statement of Policy Values.
These statements, thirteen in number, reflect the world we hope to see: a world of thriving life, justice, liberty, equality and happiness. They will serve as a guiding star for Atheopagan activist efforts over time and hopefully around the world.
The Society, of which I am a member of the directing Council, is deeply grateful to everyone who participated in the crafting and perfecting of the Statement. It is an expression of positions of which we can rightly all be proud.
Mark Green
Author of ATHEOPAGANISM: An Earth-Honoring Path Rooted in Science, Mark Green is the initiator of the Atheopagan path and editor at the Atheopaganism blog. With co-host Yucca, he records the weekly podcast The Wonder: Science-Based Paganism, makes YouTube videos, and creates materials and resources for practicing Atheopagans. He volunteers as a staffer to the Atheopagan Council to support the growth of Atheopaganism throughout the world. In his home of Sonoma County, California, in the occupied ancestral lands of the Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok peoples, he is best known as an activist and founder of Sonoma County Conservation Action, the largest environmental activism group by membership on the North Coast of California.
