The apparent slotting together of pagans and heathens into the 'No Religion' group is not something that I think is going to please any pagan that I know. We should I think have a separate listing of our own, but, fair enough if our numbers are so small as to not warrant a listing of our own, then we should at the very least be placed into the 'Other Religions' section. As all pagans know, paganism is a valid religion. I have heard the argument that its difficult to place paganism because there is no generally agreed definition of 'Pagan', but that argument holds no water with me, look how many Christian paths the umbrella of Christianity covers?

Pagan Heart has contacted the Government Statistic Office twice to question them on this issue, but as of the time of writing this article, we have yet to receive a reply, or even any acknowledgement of our emails.

I am sure you all know the following article off by heart:
United Kingdom Human Rights Act 1998 ARTICLE 9

FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, CONSCIENCE AND RELIGION

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

2. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Now hands up all of you, who, like me have been confidently quoting this article since 1998?

Having read the section above on the apparent government classification of our pagan religion, and having read the petition ' EQUAL RIGHTS FOR PAGANISM IN THE 21st. CENTURY ' in the petitions section. Then popping into the message board section and reading our friends Stitch's comments that the UK armed force in which he serves recognises over 100 different religious paths, but no pagan ones, (if you have not read these I suggest you do). Then hands up again everyone, who, like me now feels decidedly uncertain standing on the same ground?

I would not mind if there was something sinister about our religion, but my path is a peaceful and loving one, I wish harm on no one, I respect ALL other religious paths that also wish harm on no one, and yet my religion was apparently placed into the same category (bin) as the people who wrote Jedi Knight on the census form.

My country is letting me down, my country is letting my religion down, my government is letting me down. They are letting all British pagans down.