Ask Pagans Anything
Hello! I am a Pagan (specifically reconstructionist Heathen/Germanic Pagan). Feel free to ask me and other Pagans questions in the comments!
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How much stock do you personally put into the pagan gods you worship being real, discrete entities in our universe with their own consciousnesses and supernatural powers?
What led you to pick those specific gods over any others?
I practice mostly because I want to and not out of determination that this is true but because this is what gives me peace and makes me happy. It is worth noting that most Pagans do not believe just in their own tradition's gods and spirits but in that of many others.
My choice stemmed from a curiosity of ancient Germanic tradition, influenced partly by my own heritage.
Just to understand your perspective a bit better; you perform these rituals not because you believe these particular supernatural god entities actually exist or have any sway on human affairs, but more so as a way to feel more connected with your heritage, and the act of performing the ritual itself feels comforting?
Would you consider yourself an atheistic pagan, then?
I do believe that this is true and that gods and other spirits do exist, but it's not something that I am very steadfast in believing in, I just choose to believe. I would describe this best as agnostic theism; I do not believe it is possible to prove or disprove the existence of gods or spirits.
Interesting. Thanks for taking the time to share your views and beliefs with me :)
Of course, thank you for asking!
Which Gods do you focus on, if you do that?
Woden and Thunor (Odin and Thor) are the gods that I worship most often, though I also worship Hel and have prayed to other gods.
How do you come to have these beliefs, if they're a reconstruction of something that's been dead for 1000 years? Do you just read the eddas and decide "this is cool, so that's my belief system now"?
Honestly, yeah, a bit. Reconstructionists know to not take the eddas too seriously because they do have a lot of Christian influence, but being a reconstructionist comes with mostly researching. The eddas aren't the only source, but they are a good one.
So the ~200 year old version?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heathenry_(new_religious_movement)
What do your gods ask of you?
Not much, really anything. Worship of the gods is not because of an obligation but of choice. There are of course some general morals important to old Germanic society like keeping oaths and being a good host to guests that are a good idea to follow but nothing is really asked of us.
Where is the orgy?
Your mum's house, I presume.
Well, that'll make for an awkward family dinner conversation