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I’m a Gaelic Polytheist – I haven’t identified as a Pagan in so long that I’m not sure when the last time I did so actually was.
There were a couple of primary reasons for this
- there’s far too much confusion, misinformation, and disinformation, out there regarding what a Pagan is and what a Pagan believes. There are, for example, different sects of mainstream monotheism but they all have the same God…. modern or neo-Paganism doesn’t share this and I got tired of having to explain why that is.
- modern or neo-Paganism has become almost synonymous with Wicca, I am not Wiccan, and got tired of explaining that.
When I tell people I am a Gaelic Polytheist, and if they ask for more, I have a blank starting point as most people have no preconceived, movie clouded, potentially rhetoric laden, notion of what that is.
I choose not to gather much with the larger Pagan community who follow different paths as, while I am not adverse to a discussion on those paths and how they may relate to mine, I am adverse to conversion attempts and I see more and more of that happening.
Someday, maybe, it will be different; until then I will continue to identify as I do, and generally associate (in spiritual matters) with those who have beliefs compatible with my own.
Defining “Paganism,” especially in regards to a modern religious movement, is nearly impossible; but defining “polytheism” is easier, more accurate, and less inflammatory.
Defining “Paganism,” especially in regards to a modern religious movement, is nearly impossible; but defining “polytheism” is easier, more accurate, and less inflammatory.
Whereas if you told me you were a Gaelic polytheist, I’d ask if you meant Irish, Scottish, Manx, or some combination. >8)
maybe he’s an Irish Scottish Manx, which ,of course, means he has no tail…
It would make no material difference, the Gaels are (or at least were) essentially one family with far more commonalities than differences.
Which explains why the Scots essentially got “voted off of” Eire and the three dialects of Gaelic are not mutually intelligible. Makes sense.
Maybe you should have a look at things like things like spiritual practice and societal organization Ruadhan
Whereas if you told me you were a Gaelic polytheist, I’d ask if you meant Irish, Scottish, Manx, or some combination. >8)
maybe he’s an Irish Scottish Manx, which ,of course, means he has no tail…
It would make no material difference, the Gaels are (or at least were) essentially one family with far more commonalities than differences.
Which explains why the Scots essentially got “voted off of” Eire and the three dialects of Gaelic are not mutually intelligible. Makes sense.
Maybe you should have a look at things like things like spiritual practice and societal organization Ruadhan