Polytheists?

Question

(and everyone reading this)

You are probably aware of the fact that to atheists your gods are as much myth as any god ever, um, known to man. Why then are we not embroiled in vicious argument like we sometimes seem to have with the christians? I would say some of you are good friends and we generally get on like a house on fire. What gives?

As an aside, wikipedia's article on Norse Mythology states:
"Most of this mythology was passed down orally, and much of it has been lost. However, some of it was acquired and recorded by Christian scholars, particularly in the Eddas and the Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson, who believed that pre-Christian deities trace real historical people. "

Christian scholars saved your history? If this is correct, is it more than a little ironic or what?

Answer 1

There was tremendous influence of Indian traders who went all around the world from 7000 B.C. till the Buddhist period and after, which was discontinued after the Islamic religion was started in the 6th century A.D. and its supporters started destroying the historical monuments all over the world.

Answer 2

Well it has never bothered me that Atheists don't believe any Gods exist, they are equal opportunity disbelievers, as I have said before.

I would say its because the Christians have it in their minds that they must "save" everyone by getting everyone to believe in their god. This annoys everyone else and is what causes the conflicts. Polytheists could care less about having you believe in their Gods.

As for the part about being friends, well I like you that's why. I think you have a real way with words and are very intelligent. Not too mention extremely witty and charming. Oh and you're "hawt". ;-)

And I can tell the last part was directed towards me: Yes, that's why I view the later myths (referring to Snorri's recount of the Eddas and the myth about twilight of the Gods) with a grain of salt. I believe definately some of it has suffered from Christian contamination. And as Ymmo said, there are other sources besides the ones recorded down by Snorri.

Answer 3

Perhaps because we don't try to convert you?

Perhaps because we don't think that ours is the "one true right way" for everyone?

Polytheists have, historically, been pretty darn inclusive.

In the Roman Empire prior to it's "Christianization", anyone and everyone was free to consult a priest (of any religion) or *ignore a priest* (or all priests), about how best to appeal to the Divine.

Romans could be at one and the same time a devotee of Zeus, the Syrian Great Mother, Mithras, and Isis. And most had household shrines to different deities.

Christianity, seen at the time as one more Jewish sect, was welcome to compete for followers along with every other temple to a God or Goddess.

So welcoming was Roman polytheism that monotheistic deities and prophets were recruited into worship: the Emperor Agustus Severus adorned his private chapel with statues of Abraham, Orpheus, Apllonius, and Christ.

EDIT: Yes, there's a certain amount of irony in priests preserving records of Pagan practices. There is also a great irony in the fact that Soviet Communism, which was virulently anti-religion, allowed people to retain their "folk practices" as a way to appease people who didn't want to lose their ethnic identity. In fact, such "folk customs" were *encouraged* as a way to keep subject states from revolting against the USSR. As a result, a lot of Pagan traditions were kept alive in ways that they would not have if the Church had had it's way - there was a 70-year "vacation" from the Church's attempts to eliminate older religious celebrations. In the Baltic states, especially, there are unbroken, unaltered Pagan religious practices that were revived and preserved as "folk traditions" - and I'm thankful for that, too.

Answer 4

Gasp.. you believe our gods are myth?? rofl
We are not embroiled in vicious argument for the very reasons that you are with the christians..
1. Christians try to legislate their beliefs in the U.S. (and while that doesn't pertain to you, personally, A_Z, you can certainly understand why it does to those living here). Polytheists do not.. in fact, most polytheists in the U.S. are in agreement with atheists that this should remain a secular country.

2. We have no eternal damnation with which to threaten you.

3. We love science and see no reason to argue the FACT of evolution.

I personally just think you rock. That's why we get on like a house on fire.. you're intelligent and fun.

As for christian scholars recording things.. their intent was to learn what they could about the beliefs of a place so they'd know how to counteract it when they took over. I do find it ironic that they preserved something for pagans in the future to find and reclaim ;)

Answer 5

Well that may be because we don't walk the streets preaching "The Word", but there are other reasons. For me, stories about The Gods aren't mythology as mythology are myths collectively and the study of myths so since a myth is a fictitious story would that not mean we were worshiping fictitious Gods? Christians, as well as other monotheist religions took what they wanted from polytheists and incorporated them into their religion. For example, Candlemass celebrated 2nd February by Christians, was originally the Celtic festival of Lammas (or Lughnasgh) meaning "loaf mass." I suppose there is irony, although it also means that it gives us polytheists more credence as well.

Answer 6

First part of your question: because we don't go around trying to convert everyone and threatening the rest with eternal damnation, burning in hell and SPF 6000. We usually tend to live and let live. If someone asks, we're happy to answer, though.

Second part: there are a couple of parts where Asatru faith was practiced relatively undisturbed in a continuous period, so reconstructionism aside, some people might have a pretty good idea what it was about.
In a great deal, it was, however, deliberately erased by the benevolent conquistadors with swords in one hand and bible in the other. On the other hand, it is true that the vikings gave as good as they got, and we have quite some records left by the monk from surrounding countries who got their monasteries raided (eg Lindisfarne).
For the constructionists, there's enough sources, both christian and non christian ones. Vikings were also quite fond of leaving little messages around the country (rune-stones), which are as authentic as it gets, and a priceless source for our understanding of the faith and society.

Answer 7

I think the answer to your question is that the majority of Polytheists wouldn't say that their God/desses were the only one, the true path, the right way etc etc etc. I've not met someone whose pantheistic beliefs were exactly the same as mine.

Speaking personally I have no problem with your statement that the pantheons are myths. For me, they're more than that. You're tolerant enough to accept my beliefs (whether you consider them misplaced or not) and I'm tolerant enough to accept yours as well.

In addition, add to that the fact that the majority of polytheists don't have a problem with evolution - one of the major sticky points with some of our Christian colleagues.

Oh, and I'm happy that someone saved that history. The Norse pantheon isn't my thing but I don't mind who preserves it as long as it gets done.

Answer 8

I'm guessing that at the core of an atheists belief system is how man treats man. Often times Christians preach hellfire, and are focused on the soul, not acts, of a man.

The problem with relationships for Christians is the 'Great Commission', the command to preach to the unsaved.

Answer 9

To be fair, I really don't think we should give Christianity much credit for preserving Norse mythology.

The official policy of Christianity was never to preserve pagan mythology. The Christian missionaries and later local archbishops took great pride in destroying pagan "idols." Two Christian bishops, Adalward and Egino, were even on their way to destroy the Norse temple at Upsalla until King Stenkil of Sweden convinced them not to because it would result in their execution, his exile, and the reconversion to paganism of the local populace.

The preservation of Norse mythology was done because the local populace, kings included, never truly gave up their pagan beliefs, not because the church leaders wanted it to happen. The poem 'Hakonarmal' is about how the "Christian" King Hakon of Norway was welcomed into Valhalla after being buried pagan-style in a great mound.

Early conversion to Christianity was because the Scandinavian kings wanted to gain more authority over the local populace and halt the invasions from their "Christian" neighbors to the south who wanted to spread Christianity by force of arms. It was not because they actually believed in it. It was these same "Christians" who still followed pagan beliefs who preserved the pagan religion, not the Christian church.

Answer 10

Eh, guess we're used to people not believing in our gods, so, frankly, that part's nothing new. Plus, your disbelief doesn't really change anything for us, so, as long as you're polite, hey, we'll probably just shrug and move on.

And, yeah, a lot of the stories got saved by Christians, especially monks. Some of that got altered, of course, and a lot got distroyed, but some of it actually survived. And for that, we're rather grateful - not only for religious reasons, but because ancient knowledge and stories should be preserved, for posterity's sake.

Answer 11

Because polytheists (most of them - not all) believe that there are many paths which will get everyone to the same place. So therefore - no matter what your path, via Christianity, Wicca, Athieism or Satanism - everyone will end up in the same place.

Becuase of this - there is no need to preach their religion, nor try to convert people to their religion. They don't consider outsiders unsaved or damned to hell. There is no pressure to save the souls of those who believe differently. They are more prone to accept other's view points - because there is no idea of eternal damnation of them.