Pagan Consensus And The Tyranny Of The Minority

Recent events within the Pagan community have driven me to examine the structure of Pagan organizations and how these configurations tend to affect the ability of those participating to embrace social justice in the wider community.

It has been a general principle in our community that organizations embracing the governing model of consensus are seeking to hear the voices of everyone, honoring their views and finding a way to move forward with the approval of all involved.

In the case of small organizations or groups that have the ability for everyone to meet face-to-face the model works well and expresses our collective desire to honor each participants individual relationship with the divine.

In the case of large organizations, however, the process can be usurped by small groups of people seeking control and undo influence.  Organizational leaders are left with the reality that the views of fringe groups within the membership are able to derail progress and leave the organization Mora bound, unable to represent the views of the vast majority of the membership.

Peace at all costs becomes the mantra of these organizations.  Servant leaders of these groups are left to defend organizational lack of action as an “acceptable” consequence of the consensus process.  Even more, individuals who have the resources to attend national meetings develop undue influence over the group, while hiding under the cover of representing those not present via a paperwork process that pretends that all have a voice.

Individuals with years of investment in the organizational culture use past consensus decisions as powerful weapons to bludgeon those seeking change with.  They somehow have come to believe that past decisions, during a time of different circumstances, are sacrosanct statements reflecting some divine insight.

The position that all behavior, all lack of action is somehow justified by institutional history and past consensus becomes toxic to the organizations ability to move forward. Essentially, a TYRANNY OF THE MINORITY is established.

As we move forward as a community, it is my hope that organizations will examine these issues.  There is a place for consensus, in small regional groups that have the ability to truly discuss issues with everyone present.  Yet, as a community we must be willing to examine what is not working and manifest a process that does not embolden those expressing adverse discrimination to take hold of our cherished institutions.

There are many great people doing great work in our national organizations. The call here is not to trash our systems of organization but be willing to examine where they are broken in the light of day, with transparency and compassion.