#multi-faith

[jewishandmore]

Uncomfortable Conversations that Change the World

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[hearthfirehandworks]

Yet another thing I want to do, being (sort of) done

I’ve been really quiet on Tumblr, even for me, because I’ve been working on a new super-in-progress, very much under construction site for my multiple-faith polytheism(s). It’s nowhere near done. Nowhere near as pretty as I’d like. But if you’re curious, it’s called Honoring the Gods and it’s clearly a labor of love because why else would I do it? :)

[hearthfirehandworks]

Multiple Gods, Multiple Practices

There is, I think, a misunderstanding among some polytheists about those who have connections with more than one group of gods–an assumption that unless you are focused on only one group, at best you are not serious about your faith, and at worst you are disrespectful or even disloyal. (I’ve noticed this tendency more in some polytheistic communities than in others, and haven’t seen it a lot recently, so it may be that it’s not a thing anymore, which would be awesome.)

Leaving aside the matter of how one determines what constitutes such a group or pantheon (or even, in some cases, a culture), I’d like to say just a little bit about what my experience has been of being and becoming a multi-faith polytheist.

The Greek gods were my first gods. They came to me when my children were young; my younger daughter, now 17, was an infant. My polytheism was a gift; before then I had been pagan, but I didn’t understand belief before then. They were with me through my sometimes-steep learning curve, and they slowly made themselves known and waited for me to get a clue. And they have never left.

Shortly thereafter, I met the heathen gods. The Norse gods were the first gods I knew in a group. I phrase that carefully in order to point to two things: first, that I first felt a call to “the heathen gods” rather than to an individual deity (as had been the case with Aphrodite and the Greeks), and second, that I met them as part of a group of other heathens. While I certainly keep my personal devotions–in fact, the bulk of my worship and devotional work with regard to these gods is solo–my heathenry has always been tied (sometimes in more than one way) to community.

The Celtic gods…well, that one is different. In one sense, or at one time, they were not “my gods”; I was told that early on and there was always a distance, so I did not pursue a relationship there for a long time, and yet Taranis was the first deity I ever met in a visualization. They are not a constant presence, for the most part, but they let me know when they want something and I do my best for them when they do.

The Egyptian gods came to me about three years ago; they came to me at a time when I was dealing with some stuff, and I would not have chosen that time to add a new religious practice, but it happens when it happens. They have been unfailingly kind and patient, and have made it clear at all times that whatever I can do is what I can do, and is enough. They also introduced me to a way of honoring my ancestors that added a whole new dimension to my spiritual life.

So that’s been my experience as a polytheist with the gods, so far, in my life.

There are any number of ways in which people can interact with more than one group of gods, some more eclectic or sycretic than others. While I am a great fan of learning as much as possible about the history behind the gods I worship, and I think it adds a great deal to my practice and my understanding of the gods, I don’t think mine is the only way.

Personally, I tend to keep pantheons separate; I have separate altars, do separate rituals. It’s the way that works for me. YMMV and I’d love to hear about it if it does!

[enviroshow3d]

Visit Original Link

On the day of the MultiFaith meeting on Climate, several of the speakers and organisers made some brief statements at the media Conference.

Here’s one from Professor Lesley Hughes of the Climate Council.

[ljspencerauthor]

30 Days of Social Justice 16: Multiplicity/Multi-identity #30daysofsocialjustice #amwriting

Multiplicity: The quality of having multiple, simultaneous social identities; e.g., being male and Buddhist and working class.

This definition is from a list of definitions compiled by some folks at Oregon State University and is a great resource to have on hand (and was one of the resources I used to complete the list of topics for this project).

On the surface, multiplicity overlaps with…

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[hearthfirehandworks]

Multi-faithful

When I say I am multi-faith, I know it's a mouthful, and I know it's maybe sort of vague, but I haven't yet found a better word for it and it's become pretty central to my religious identity over the years.

One thing it means is that my religious identity includes more than one pagan/polytheistic religious practice. To describe this simply I might say "I am a Hellenic polytheist and I am also a heathen, and have been both for over fifteen years." If I feel a bit more chatty about it I might add that I personally don't combine the two because it's simpler for me that way, but if you do, more power to you and I'd love to hear how you do it.

Practically speaking it isn't as complicated as it could be; my Hellenic practice is all me, and while my heathen practice is group-oriented (and thus more ritual-oriented), my group is super-chill and supportive. In my own home and for all the gods I deal with, I pray, and talk to the gods, and pour out offerings in an informal manner, and do the things it seems like a good idea for me to do.

Another thing it means is that I am, I hope, open to meeting new people and making new friends. That wasn't always the case; it was complicated enough dealing with two (and sometimes more) groups of gods--and potentially even more complicated dealing with two (and sometimes more) religious communities.

I'm not a woo person, whatever that means (as someone who is quite near-sighted I tend to think of it as knowing there is probably something across the street but at the same time having no real idea what it might be because it's all just the same blur when I look at it). My godphone generally has no bars. Sometimes I get a part of a bar and that is an exciting day, I will tell you!

But you can't base an entire spirituality on the occasional very sharp image within a generally-perceived blur.

But I digress, just a bit.

It's all right to honor more than one pantheon of gods, either separately or not (although I myself think separately is easier, it's a personal preference). There are a surprising number of polytheists who disagree, so I want to put it out there that not everyone thinks it is  a Thing One Must Never Do.

It doesn't have to be "separate but equal," either. Maybe your main practice is with one pantheon but you have some contact with another pantheon or pantheons. Maybe you identify primarily as one sort of polytheist or pagan but occasionally go off script a bit. Maybe you just have a different sort of relationship with one group of gods than with the other(s). You don't have to do the same things for or with one god (or group of gods) as you do with the other(s). You don't have to be equally close with each entity with whom you interact.

And once you've established a relationship or a practice, that doesn't mean it can't or won't change over time. Change is one of the few constants in life, and that's true of spiritual life as well.

[doddyduck]

Let’s Do Lunch On The Broadchurch Set!

Let’s Do Lunch On The Broadchurch Set! @thebiglunch @uofe_challenges @rcholistics @exeterguild @univexeter @decappeal @UoEWellbeing

The Team! It was great to see so many faces at The Big Lunch yesterday at Exeter University. You might even recognise the location of our Big Lunch as the court from the last series of Broadchurch! Permission was given to me by the staff to publish this photograph. It was a lovely surprise when a school passed through who were particular fond of our Hindu Chaplain’s mango drink & local man’s…

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[ljspencerauthor]

TWIH Episode 45: The Many Faces of Spirit with Yeshe Rabbit

TWIH Episode 45: The Many Faces of Spirit with Yeshe Rabbit

What does it mean to be a multi-faith person in a world where most people except you to be one thing or another? In this episode, Yeshe Rabbit and I discuss her personal multi-faith work and her own evolution of spirit. We also talk about how we are in the midst of change and how our religious traditions are evolving. How do we maintain respect for each other and for all human beings? How do we…

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