UB students who are interested in learning about - and participating in - various branches of paganism now have a forum on campus to share their interests with fellow students, due to the recent formation of the Pagan Student Association.
Twin sisters Christie and Candie Syphrit, along with Agnes Nogal, a biological sciences major, created the Pagan SA, which still has temporary club status, in order to provide a way for students to meet, discuss paganism, and eliminate the negative stereotypes and stigmas associated with paganism.
According to the Pagan SA Secretary Teresa Steenburgh, a sophomore English and philosophy major, at the first meeting, members talked about what it means to be a pagan.
"Our earliest discussions were on definitions of paganism and a brief introduction to the family of religions associated with paganism, such as astaru, druidism, Wicca/witchcraft, neopaganism, shamanism and homosexuality in Wicca," Steenburgh said.
The club currently has 42 members on their mailing list and approximately 10 members turn up for the weekly discussions, according to President Christie Syphrit.
"Out of curiosity I attended their first meeting and found it very refreshing and non-obligatory," said Marcus Steinzor, a junior exercise science major. "It's unlike other religions where it's stifling - when you have to follow a certain set of rules when you don't even understand the meaning behind it."
According to Steenburgh, paganism is not one specific religion, but a respect for religions that share the same characteristics. Some examples include "spiritual equality" for both genders and the belief in gods, goddesses and "lesser supernatural beings," said Christie Syphrit.
"All pagan religions revere nature as a primary source of spirituality and participants view themselves as part of nature," said Christie Syphrit, a sophomore computer science major. "Pagans devote their beliefs to a code of moral ethics and respect for oneself, the world and society."
Christie Syphrit said pagans place a high value on mutual respect, love, joy and ethics and avoid bringing harm to themselves and others.
"Salvation lies in the realization of oneness with impersonal life-force, thus unlocking one's healing potential," she said. "Suffering is the result of greed, hatred and spiritual ignorance in a person's past lifetimes."
Treasurer Candie Syphrit said she first discovered paganism approximately eight years ago while surfing the Internet. Since then, she has always been interested in learning about various religions.
Although paganism is tolerated on campus, it is still plagued by misconceptions, Candie Syphrit said.
"We don't do love spells or any spells for that matter," she said. "These are forbidden because of the chance that something might go wrong. Any spells that would extremely alter someone else's behavior is generally considered taboo. Neither do we worship the devil and believe in curses. All of these are examples of bad karma."
Candie Syphrit said the best part of paganism is that pagans share a wide acceptance and tolerance of other religions.
"You need to have a very open mind in paganism because there are 98 different branches in Wicca alone, and you can even "create your own version" of a religion if you like," she said.
According to Steenburgh, the club believes in educating people about paganism rather than converting them.
"It's a fun way to find out about religions you never knew existed," Steenburgh said. "People should come by at least once to see what it is, and if it's not for you, then move on."
