Source: The New York Times
Dan Halloran, the Republican candidate for a City Council seat in northeastern Queens, actively practices Theodism, a neo-pagan faith which attempts to reconstruct the pre-Christian tribal religions of the European Germanic people.
While Theodism, and other strains of paganism, have been recognized by the Army Chaplain Corps and are slowly gaining wider acceptance, Mr. Halloran’s religious beliefs have become a point of contention in the hard-fought race, in which Mr. Halloran is vying against Kevin D. Kim, the Democratic candidate. The 19th Council District is currently represented by Councilman Tony Avella, who did not seek re-election so that he could pursue the Democratic nomination for mayor. (Mr. Avella was unsuccessful.)
Mr. Halloran’s beliefs were the subject of a cover story in The Queens Tribune shortly after the Democratic primary in September. The Village Voice also has examined Mr. Halloran’s Theodist group.