Most forms of paganism are rooted in ethnicity. How does this differ from ethnic chauvinism?

Question

I don't really see how it could. All ethnic religions - Judaism is the classic example - carry within them the concept of ethnic superiority. Does paganism avoid this somehow and if so,how? What,for example,would the basis be for Norse paganism without the assumption of a presumed superiority of Scandinavian ancestry? I don't see how the concept could be separated.

Answer 1

It does in some cases. However, it is a more individualistic belief. You are right about the ethnicity superiority though.

Answer 2

Some things to point out with that.

First, ancient paganism didn't have a sense of exclusivity. While granted certain pantheons were worshiped by certain ethnic and cultural groups, there wasn't exactly a sense of exclusivity promoted particularly in the writings of the different pagan peoples of the time. In the Bible we see the creation of Man and Woman as taking center stage in the creation story, in different pagan mythologies its kind of as an afterthought after a bunch of other stuff has happened. The creation of humans isn't even addressed in Celtic mythology.

Second, that kind of exclusivity also doesn't exist in modern paganism as a point of practice or theology. There are groups that try, the ones most notorious for that are neo-nazis who try to pervert Asatru to their ends even though the Norse Gods aren't even of the same race (some are Aesir, some are Vanir, and some are Jotnar) but for the most part that kind of ethnic exclusivity isn't encouraged.

Now there are people who tend towards the pantheons of their ancestors as well as those that feel most right to them, this has less to do with ethnicity and more to do with which one is the best fit in terms of feel and nature of the Gods involved.

Answer 3

Well, it depends. I practice a European sort of paganism which is focused mostly on celebrating holidays as cycles of life. I don't worship any deities, I see them as symbols and archetypes. It has nothing whatsoever to do with ethnic ancestry, because my practices are my own and come from ideas in a wide range of cultures. It happens to be what I like, what speaks to me. Ethnicity has absolutely zero to do with it.

Taoism is also a form of paganism, Chinese folk religion... and I haven't a drop of Chinese blood. It has nothing to do, again, with ethnicity, but that the wisdoms in Taoism speak to me.

You don't see how the concept can be separated, I can't tell how you're making a connection. Just because I wear a shirt from Macy's doesn't mean I think any more highly of New York than my hometown. It means I found a shirt I like.

Answer 4

Some modern pagan traditions do avoid this aspect. I think this is for the reason that many pagans are fond of the idea of inclusiveness and some pagans feel drawn to a certain religion or God/s who may not belong to that deities culture. Religion evolves and pagans no longer see the need to have an ehtnic connection to a certain religion.

Answer 5

Perhaps it's not seen by the individual as superiority, but simply that pantheon speaks to them moreso than another...some pagans follow no pantheon at all but a god and/or goddess that is part of no particular ethnic background (except perhaps they presume it is their own)...