What Came Before Was Not Nothing

I am tired of the idea we are creating new religion. We aren’t new anymore than the Reformation is new, or than Reform Judaism is new. We may embrace modern forms but we build on ancient foundations.

I recently had someone say we “make everything up” in regards to ethics and morals. I answered badly, because I unfortunately can no longer see with Christian eyes. The person who said that had no comprehension that morality pre-dated Christianity, and in fact informed much of Christian morality and philosophy.

Among the oldest ethical codes that have been passed down to us are the Delphic Maxims, which begin by telling us to worship the Gods, obey the law and respect our parents.

Be jealous of no one (Φθονει μηδενι)
Be on your guard (Φυλακη προσεχε)
Praise hope (Ελπιδα αινει)
Despise a slanderer (Διαβολην μισει)
Gain possessions justly (Δικαιως κτω)
Honor good men (Αγαθους τιμα)

Ethics and morality were not brought to the world by the Apostles. There was no vacuum for them to fill. What came before was not nothing. Ancient paganism was not a vast void. Modern Paganism is a continuation and innovation upon those ancient precepts. Even newer ethical codes are built upon ancient lore or evolved from oral tradition.

It’s said during mercury retrogrades it’s a good time to do things that begin with the prefix re: redecorate, redesign or restore, for instance. Today I am resolving that the next time someone tells me my faith is new I shall answer with all the certainty and alliteration of a Baptist preacher:

We are not new. We are renewed, revitalized and restored to the world, and we have every intention of remaining and reimagining the world!

So mote it be!