Yes, we pay very close attention to the heartbeat of Paganism across the nation. That even means podcasts with lead topics on Pagan Unity, especially ones that mention us by name. Our public relations committee does a great job.

Well, let me start by saying that the only bad publicity is "no publicity". We appreciate your commentary we really do. If it weren't for commentaries like this one and letters from our members we wouldn't know what directions to grow the organization in. We also wouldn't know what the misinterpretations are, where they come from or why they ventured down the avenues they did. Thanks for the hard work, I would however recommend a better sound system for your podcast input. Sounds like you are eating your brownies while trying to broadcast audible and intelligent content.

Lead Topic
Pagan Unity (Inspired by visiting The Association of United Pagans‘ website)
   OMFG, We’re being attacked!!!!11111one!!!eleven!1
      Wiccan Centrism
      Symbols
      Spiritual Goals
   Not all Pagan Religions are Earth-Centric
   “Okay, everyone - look at us, we are the center of the universe so come join us”
   They Die Quick Deaths (ever seen such a group last over 10 years?)
   Attempting to be local yet universal
   Should this even be something that should be attempted?

OMFG, We’re being attacked!!!!11111one!!!eleven!1:

    Lets not let a single cause set the pace for the rest of the show. Every good organization needs to take a few radical stands against a few deserving radicals in order to get to the important points. Things like unconstitutional games and the Religious Right (now known as the Christian Right; like we didn't see that coming) are the perfect deserving radicals. Our works were not in vain either, as our stance against the game and the Right was followed by many critiques and blogs of Pagan gamers against their game. The christian pruduction company lost a considerable amount of support for their game, stock prices plummeted and the company is sitting dormant awaiting the right time to announce their bankruptcy. The Right also heard our message that we will not stand by while they lay exclusive claim to the 1st Amendment. Job done and done well.
   

Wiccan Centrism
Symbols

    Nope, none of that here. We actually anticipate doing away with the Wiccan Centrism that you are so against. Wicca is but only one tradition in the very wide spectrum of Paganism. Though we do stand behind the mainstream activists of Wicca in what they are doing for their tradition(s) such as Selena Fox as a single example of many. Just like we try to stand behind the other traditions. However, we have to give the squeaky wheel the most oil so it may seem at first sight that we endorse activists like Selena Fox more than others. Why is that you ask? Well you see, activists like Selena Fox actually leave their garages and travel all over the country to promote their cause. That sort of dedication does deserve just attention and reward.

    Lets also remember that everything has to start somewhere. Wicca as I stated made the most noise in the right places. They are as far as the U.S. government is concerned now a valid religion and benefits from the protections of the 1st Amendment. Understand that the constitution states the word "religion" and not "spirituality". We have a long way to go before ALL of the Pagan traditions are afforded the same protections. Are you going to do all that work? Or will you stop trying to bash good causes and allow others to do the work for you without hindrance?

    As you probably noticed we give attention to many traditions. So far those getting the most attention are those that hold a substantial percentile of the membership quorum and/or have actually asked for it. We don't recall getting a single request for any assistance nor have a single piece of correspondence from any of your MCs.

Spiritual Goals

    We must have missed that segment or lost it in the over-modulation of your microphones. Generally speaking however, we do what we can for those that actually make the effort to ask. We do not aim to set spiritual goals. We are merely here to assist in giving the individual guidance to the resources they need in order for them to set their own goals and to provide an unbiased country where they can meet them.

Not all Pagan Religions are Earth-Centric

   Learn to read please: "For all general purposes, as defined here, a Pagan is one of the various ancient Earth based religions OR any non-abrahamaic religion currently in practice."  Also the words Earth Centric and Earth based have two different meanings.

“Okay, everyone - look at us, we are the center of the universe so come join us”

   First, this is speculation and a misinformed perspective to say the least. Secondly, nobody needs to join us to reap the rewards of The AUP. We are constantly and continually working for you. We work with groups all over the nation assisting them in their organizational purposes and extending their resources to others of like mind. We promote unity & diversity and do not expect any individual or group to stop doing what they always have been doing. Understand that if "ABC Kindred" is a member of The AUP they continue to be "ABC Kindred" and only have the resources available to them that they require. They are also a voice of The AUP and by democratic process they tailor what The AUP stands for and what we do for Paganism in the years to come.

   Center of the universe? ..... no. Not any more than every single group or individual is a part of the universal whole. By the way somebody was eating brownies again and wasn't paying attention in science class; the Universe doesn't have a center.

They Die Quick Deaths (ever seen such a group last over 10 years?)

   Nope, they don't last more than 5 years really. That is why the people who started those other groups are part of the Board of Advisors of The Association of United Pagans. Through the assistance of the Advisors, The AUP can avoid such pitfalls as have already been experienced in similar organizations. We learn from our founders' and advisors' former mistakes and will continue to build and grow in the areas necessary to meet our goals and cause.  All in all we have been working on this organization since before most of you were even born and will continue to do so. This time around we have been working on the endeavor since 2002 with an official incorporated non-profit date of April 2004. Hey we're about half way there!

Attempting to be local yet universal

   Isn't it just ingenious! Every local group can have their own voice in a national Pagan community without giving up their local reach. They can have national resources at their disposal, have a voice in a national community and lose absolutely nothing. Their little coven, kindred, grove, et. al. can be the same solid unchanging wonderful learning and practicing environment they always have been and The AUP does all the national work for them. Ingenious I say!

Should this even be something that should be attempted?

   A day late and a dollar short I'm afraid.
  

NAACP Addendum: Love the NAACP analogy. Thanks for seeing what it is we really do and not being obstructed by the brownie on your screen. National Association for the Advancement of Pagan People; darnit I guess we chose the wrong name after all. However, since we don't have the cashflow for such encroachment lawsuits I guess we will just stick with ....

The Association of United Pagans
Though UNITY we CAN make a difference!
http://www.aupagans.org