From: ian.foot@uk.sun.com (Ian Paul Foot)
Subject: Re: Info wanted on Techno Pagans
Date: 29 Apr 1993 08:08:42 GMT

In article 1rm13nINNd3u@uk-news.uk.sun.com, I wrote:
<stuff deleted>

> Recently the question was raised about whether there is a higher
> percentage of pagans within the computer industry than within the
> general population and the findings of the Alt.pagan poll on this
> subject proved inconclusive (about 50% of A.p readers were computer
> professionals, although you would have to know the average
> percentage over the net to draw any conclusions from this). 
> If it *were* shown that technologists constitute a significantly
> large part of the pagan population, then it would be interesting to
> find out why.  For myself, as a technologist (Computer graphics
> specialist with 2 computing degrees), I feel that it is important to
> balance the technology with a more "natural life".

I have received some interesting information on this from an email
correspondent:

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Gordon Melton surveyed neo-pagans in 1980 and found that some 16% of
his respondents were "either programmers, technical writers, or
scientists."  So he added the question: "what percentage of people in
the Pagan community work with computers, and what, if any,
relationship exists between Pagan or Craft philosophy and an interest
in computers.

	The answers ran the gamut from people who felt the question
was ridiculous--that computers were inimical to Paganism--to those who
were convinced that 80 percent of the Pagan community actively used
computers and that there was an important and striking relationship
between the two."

There follow the typical responses; the text includes several quotes
with each which I will omit:

1.  Computers are like magic
2.  Paganism is a pragmatic and practical religion
3.  Computers are simply where the jobs are these days.
4.  Computers are simply the best way to communicate; they are
    practical tools.
5.  Paganism provides a balance to people who are heavily involved in
    linear forms of reality, and vice versa.
6.  Oddball people are attracted to both.

oops..I note that this survey is dated 1985, not 1980 (Melton did one
both years.)

Please feel free to post this information.  Being extremely inept at
telecommunication, I haven't learned how to post to alt.pagan yet.
Someday.......

Blessed be,
gator

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I would have to agree, to a greater or lesser extent, with all 6
reasons given above.