Pagan? Polytheist? Multideist?

There are plenty of labels I identify with religiously--polytheist, Pagan, Hellenist--and I have found that the labels I identify with are linked closer to the experiences of others than my own. I label myself in a way that is understandable for others; I know who and what I am, I have no need to label myself just for me. When I am in the company of people who will have most likely never heard anything about Hellenism or even Paganism, I stick to 'Hellenist'. At least that way, I can explain right away what I believe in. With other Pagans, I identify as 'Pagan, Hard Polytheist--subset: Hellenist'. With other Recons, I identify myself solely as 'Hellenist'. Heck, with my parents, I'm just 'Religious', that's hard enough for them to agree with.

Labels, in my opinion, have their value placed upon them by those outside of the label; as much as a group might feel they have claimed and formed the meaning of a label, in truth it will always be defined by those outside of it. This is why labels change, and why we sometimes need new ones; the group doesn't outgrow the label--neither the original meaning of the label, nor the believes of the group have changed, after all--but through misuse or adoption by other groups, the label has become undefined, has expanded to include a broader group of people, or has had its meaning mangled beyond the point of recognition by the group. At this point, all of the labels I use identify me just as well as they have in the past, but they have also become muddled and messy. 'Hellenist' still works, and it will always work because it's the name of my faith, but especially in regards to the label 'polytheist', I am not sure I readily identify with it anymore.

Polytheism is defined as 'the doctrine of or belief in more than one God or in many Gods', and herein lies the rub; it includes everything from duotheism (Wicca), to soft polytheism (Neo-Wicca, mostly), and my brand of polytheism; hard polytheism, where all Gods are seen as separate entities, worthy of respect if not worship. 'Polytheism' today comes with subsets of its own these days, and it can make identifying with the label a frustrating experience when you just want to say 'I believe in and worship multiple Gods'.

It seems I am not the only one who has been mulling this over--although I have to admit the instances of this subject coming up are few and far between; I mostly interact with Hellenists, and we understand each other just fine--because Star Foster recently posted a manifesto to this extend, hoping hard polytheists are willing to adopt a new label: 'Multideist', defined by seven characteristics (which are still being updated and defined, but the basics are set):

1. The gods are many, separate and distinct. Any attempt to reduce the multitude of divinities to a single source or being is not multideism, but monotheism.
2. While the ultimate reality of each and every individual deity is beyond the scope of any human being to discover and articulate, every deity is treated as an individual worthy of hospitality and respect.
3. Ecumenical efforts must include an attitude of respect towards the gods and the role of belief in religion. No community can be built on dismissive disrespect.
4. Practice stems from belief, and there should be harmony between these two foundations of religion.
5. The beliefs and practices of the ancients have value and purpose. While they may in some cases no longer be relevant or appropriate, their wisdom can still serve us well if we don’t look down our nose at them.
6. Religious culture and community is built on shared values, not political ideals, imposed shame, or superficial similarities.
7. Free will is tempered by fate, and these forces held in tension shape our lives. While we may not always be free to do exactly as we would wish, neither are we helpless pawns of the gods. There is no ultimate good or evil to negate our personal responsibility, but our religious convictions are also not borne of whims or a matter of style.
As a Hellenist, I find myself drawn to this new label easily, and from what I can see, many Recons are drawn towards it with me. As Star says:

"So here we have an opportunity. To redefine ourselves, to bring clarity to our dialogues, and to increase understanding. I consider this concept, this identity, and I see hope. I feel a sense of relief in it, a burden lifted. Is it it divisive? Absolutely. All labels are. Is it a complete sundering of ties with paganism and polytheism? Not necessarily, it simply brings greater clarity to the conversations with those communities."

I am going to try out the label, use it for myself and in conversations with others to see how it defines in the long run. It's good to cut ties with the problematic labels that plague us and start as fresh as possible where others will always be reminded of similar labels and fill in this one as well by those definitions. Still, for now, the label is blissfully defined and familiar. Would this label be one you feel like adopting? It doesn't even have to replace any other the others you use, but perhaps there are circles in your life within which an identification of 'multideist' brings more clarity than 'polytheist', or any of our other labels. I would like your thoughts.

• Friday, January 24, 2014
  bloggers I admire current affairs interfaith labels multideism Paganism personal

What's in a name?

I've been thinking a lot about the Hellenic label. We use a great many names to describe it, and I assume that we're all assuming we mean the same thing when call ourselves thus. Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism, Hellenic Reconstructionism, Hellenismos, Hellenism, the Hellenic tradition, the Hellenic religion, Hellenic polytheism, Traditional Hellenismos, Reformed Hellenismos, Greek polytheism, Greek Reconstructionism, etc. It's a big lump of labels and, supposedly, they all mean the same thing. Today, I want to explain what these terms mean to me. The whole point of this exercise is to show that your definitions probably differ. That's a good thing, it creates clarity.

Greek vs. Hellenic: In the beginning of this blog, I used 'Greek' quite a bit. That's what I thought was the proper term for the country, even in olden days. It's not. There is a big pride issue surrounding the word 'Hellas', or 'Hellenic Republic'. It's the preferred term by the Greeks, and the  official name of the country. That is why I use it. 'Greek', to me, also sounds like a description of modern day Greece/Hellas. 'Greek Recon' would then be Orthodox Christianity, as that is the major religion in Greece today. The same goes for 'The Hellenic Religion'. Obviously, that is not my religion.

Polytheism: polytheism is literally 'the belief of multiple deities also usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own mythologies and rituals'. 'Hellenic polytheism' would then be a decent description, but it leaves a lot of room for interpretation. If I'm a Neo-Wiccan, worshipping solely deities of the Hellenic pantheon, would get me this label. Another point of criticism: if 'Reconstructionism' is already part of the label, 'Polytheistic' is a pleonasm; the ancient Hellenic religion was polytheistic, so any reconstructionistic practice from that time period is polytheistic by default.

Reconstructionism: 'Hellenic Reconstructionism' works, just like 'Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism', although see above about the polytheism. This is a perfectly fine description of what I practice; Hellenic Reconstructionism. The only problem I have with it, is that it allows the user to pick and choose. 'Hellenic Reconstructionism' leaves a lot of room for interpretation and doesn't signify a united religion.

That leaves Hellenismos. As regular readers may be able to tell, I prefer this term. Although I criticizes the lack of standardization within the religion, 'Hellenismos', as a term, signifies that those who practice it, work towards the same goal, with the same means, and the same general set of rituals. Two branches of Hellenismos are emerging: Traditional Hellenismos and Reformed Hellenismos. Traditional Hellenismos refers to those who strictly adhere to the ancient ways. This means animal sacrifice when appropriate, out-door sacrifices, and communal worship. Those who can't--or will not--practice Hellenismos this way, but who reconstruct everything else, practice Reformed Hellenismos.

I'll, eventually, become more of a Traditionalist. I don't have the means to be one now, so 'Reformed' will have to do. It's not a label I adopt by choice, but out of necessity. You all read my blog, so I'm sure you're aware I don't oppose animal sacrifice. I do, however, think that it's unethical and wasteful to sacrifice an animal when you practice alone, simply because the meat should be distributed and feasted with. This way, the Theoi and the animal who was sacrificed, will both be honored properly. This is why I don't see an animal sacrifice in my future any time soon: I sorely lack a community to perform one with.

So yes, this is why I prefer the 'Hellenismos' label. I don't use 'Reformed' unless I have to, because I would prefer to be a Traditionalist. The only problem I have with that, is that Traditionalists tend to be very elitist and bigoted in their ways. Not always, mind you, but I steer clear of the official Hellenic forums none the less. It's just not worth the heartache.

Are these interpretations of the labels something you agree with, or would you change some of them? If you practice--or if you imagine yourself practicing--which label would you prefer?

• Sunday, October 14, 2012
  community Hellenismos 101 labels