Heron Michelle, Street Preachers, and Pagan Religious Freedoms

How might a member of a minority religion feel about aggressive Christian preaching at their sacred venues? Can such evangelistic efforts function in ways that restrict the religious freedoms of others? Heron Michelle, a Pagan, shares her perspective resulting from interactions with a street preacher outsider her business.

Heron (Greenville, NC) is a witch, priestess, artist, and mom. She is the founding high priestess of the Sojo Circle Coven, and she created a training program in modern witchcraft, which she’s taught year-round since 2010. Heron is the owner of the Sojourner Whole Earth Provisions metaphysical shop, and she’s a Reiki master, tarot reader, and clairvoyant. She writes the blog Witch on Fire at Patheos Pagan, and she regularly lectures at local universities, festivals, and conferences.

Heron Michelle’s website: https://heronmichelle.com/

Witch on Fire blog: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/witchonfire/

Video of Heron talking to EC Street Preacher: https://youtu.be/vqV2TJGLVT0?t=202

“Pagan ‘metaphysical shops navigate threats from Christian critics” at RNS: https://religionnews.com/2021/05/07/pagan-metaphysical-shops-navigate-threats-from-christian-critics/

“Christian groups step up harassment of pagan festivals” at RNS: https://religionnews.com/2022/08/22/christian-groups-step-up-harassment-of-wiccan-festivals/

For more on a respectful and informed Pagan-Christian dialogue see the book Beyond the Burning Times: A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue by Philip Johnson and Gus diZerega (Lion, 2008). https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Burning-Times-Christian-Dialogue/dp/0745952720

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