At the age of 16, Christina Corcorran attended her first Pagan Student Association meeting at the University with her mother.

“You get to see that other Pagans exist in the Bible Belt,” she said.

Corcorran, a senior from Athens, said she has been involved with the group regularly since she started college.

PSA, which was founded in spring 1995, does not have a permanent place of worship or a faculty adviser. The group holds rituals on North Campus during certain pagan holidays. It also holds bardic circles – gatherings around a bonfire to share stories, magic and music – behind the intramural fields.

During meetings, members of the group lead lectures, and there are discussions about different theological thoughts.

Pagan religions are older than most modern monotheistic religions, according to http://en.wikipedia.org, an online encyclopedia.

They do not follow one spiritual or religious path. Instead, pagan religions are earth and nature-centered. Some pagans believe in multiple deities and some believe in multiple aspects of one deity.

“Our primary goals are community, advocacy and education,” said Raymond Wiley, a senior from Canton and co-president of PSA.

Last spring the group held a 10th anniversary ball at Memorial Hall.

“It was a big, big success. We had nearly 100 people show up,” Wiley said. “Everyone since has called it the Pagan Prom.”

This year, PSA will put together a handbook for its members including essays and research papers written by the members.

Although these pagans live in a predominantly Christian community, some members of PSA feel they are not treated much differently by their friends who know they are pagan.

“I enjoy having theological discussions with them,” Corcorran said. “It’s great fun.”

The group encourages people of all beliefs to come to its meetings.

“If you want to see what we’re about, you are welcome,” Gandy said.