Polytheistic reconstructionism

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Romuva Spring Jorė festival in Kulionys, Lithuania in 2006.

Polytheistic reconstructionism, or simply Reconstructionism, is the practice of re-establishing historical polytheistic (or pre-Christian), "Pagan" religions in the modern world.

Reconstructionism is to some extent a subset of Neopaganism. However, with their emphasis on cultural integrity, reconstructionist groups stand in contrast with syncretic movements like Wicca, and "channeled" movements like Germanic mysticism or Theosophy. There is a great deal of overlap between Reconstructionist and Traditionalist movements, with groups who identify as both, or with the only differences between the two being one of semantics. This overlap is due to both movements emphasizing folkloric survivals and participation in the living cultures.

While the emphasis on historical accuracy may imply historical reenactment, the desire for continuity in ritual traditions (orthopraxy) is a common characteristic of religion in general, as seen in Anglican ritualism, or in much Christian liturgy.

Many practitioners of folk religions live outside of the original cultures and territories from which those historical religions arose. This holds for Kemetism in its entirety, and for a large number of Celtic polytheists. The United States, which is predominantly comprised of European diaspora peoples and their descendants, has a relatively large Reconstructionist milieu.

Overview

Reconstructionist religions are generally classified as a subgroup or offshoot of Neopaganism. Reconstructionism is a methodology which attempts to accurately base modern religious practice on culturally and historically genuine examples of ancient religious practices. This methodology is also sometimes termed Traditionalism. Some Reconstructionists are attempting to restore the ancient social orders and tribal way of life, while the majority of Reconstructionists are primarily concerned with adapting ancient religious practice to life in the modern world. In some areas, like Greece and regions of the former Soviet Union, modern adherents of Reconstructionist religions view their practice as a continued extension of the indigenous religious practices of their ancestors.

#There is no attempt to recreate a combined pan-European paganism.

1. Researchers attempt to stay within research guidelines developed over the course of the past century for handling documentation generated in the time periods that they are studying.
2. A multi-disciplinary approach is utilized capitalizing on results from various fields as historical literary research, anthropology, religious history, political history, archeology, forensic anthropology, historical sociology, etc. with an overt attempt to avoid pseudo-sciences.
3. There are serious attempts to recreate culture, politics, science and art of the period in order to better understand the environment within which the religious beliefs were practiced.

Reconstructionists believe that the indigenous belief systems and religions which existed prior to the modern era conversions are both valid and relevant in the modern age. Reconstructionists view their myths (or meta-narratives), folk customs, languages and symbols as the organic expression of their culture. This cultural relevancy is ethnically and regionally specific, having evolved over thousands of years to suit a particular people's emotional and spiritual needs. Reconstructionists view the modernist religious tendencies of proselytization, evangelization and doctrinal ordained assimilation as destructive to the cultures and societies subjected to these practices.

Reconstructionism is by its very nature dependent on the literary and oral record and has a very strong scholarly and academic bent, emphasizing the study of languages, archaeology, anthropology and folklore. Cultural authenticity is highly valued.

Syncretism

Indigenous religions and folkways did not just blink out of existence when they were subsumed by modern religions. There were periods of time in almost every pagan culture where the populace attempted to reconcile their native beliefs with the new ones being presented (or instituted by force). This often led to a type of syncretism which, in some cases, gradually evolved into monotheism -- eclipsing the old folk religions. As a result of this phenomenon, a few adherents of reconstructionist religions practice monolatry, henotheism and pantheism.

Most reconstructionists see recent hybridizations as culturally inauthentic corruptions of the traditional religions. The World Congress of Ethnic Religions has specifically spoken against this practice and has instituted a policy to not "support, accept as member or have relations with newly invented hybrid, non-traditional religious groups...Our purpose is NOT to mix different religions, but to find our common interests and defend them."

However, many reconstructionists also note that the operative concept there is "recent." Some historical syncretisms, such as those that occurred when ancient polytheistic cultures interacted over a long period of time, and created a hybrid culture, have become what some consider a legitimate part of the living traditions. An example of this would be the presence of some customs and deities of Nordic origins found among the Scottish traditions, Imperial Roman policy, and other examples of the ways these cultures historically intermingled and influenced one another. These sorts of ancient, polytheistic syncretisms are seen as different from the syncretisms of oppression, which were instituted with the aim of co-opting and eventually eclipsing the native religions.

Reconstructionism and Neo-Paganism

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Kemetic ritual at the House of Netjer

Main article: Neopaganism

The term "Reconstructionist Paganism" is thought to have been coined by Isaac Bonewits in the late 1970s. Bonewits has said that he is not sure whether he "got this use of the term from one or more of the other culturally focused Neopagan movements of the time, or if [he] just applied it in a novel fashion." Margot Adler later used the term "Pagan Reconstructionists" in the 1979 edition of Drawing Down the Moon to refer to those who claimed to adhere to some sort of historical religion. This emphasis on reconstruction is in ostensible contrast to more fanciful approaches to "paganism" in Romanticism, as seen for example in Germanic mysticism.

Pagan reconstructionism has evolved into a distinct subset of Neopaganism, one that is separate from syncretic or eclectic modern movements and the Wiccan ritual format that has been widely adopted by many Neopagan groups. Reconstructionist religions are based on the surviving historical record. The modern reconstructed practices are kept as close to the historically attested practices as possible, except in cases where such practices are clearly impractical or conflict with current morals, laws or scientific understanding. In this sense, there is an aspect of modernizing the historical traditions, even though the degree to which this should be done is often an area of debate. But there is still the shared principle that historical accuracy is emphasized as opposed to eclecticism and innovation.

The use of the terms "Pagan" and "Neopagan" to apply to polytheistic reconstructionists is controversial. Some reconstructionist, ethnic and indigenous religious groups take great issue with being referred to as "Pagan" or "Neopagan," viewing "Pagan" as a pejorative term used in the past by institutions attempting to destroy their cultures and religions. In addition, reconstructionists may choose to reject the terms "Pagan" and "Neopagan" in order to distance themselves from aspects of popular Neopaganism, such as eclecticism, the practice of magic, and a tendency to conduct rituals within a Wiccan-derived format, that they find irrelevant or even inimical to their religious practice.

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A ceremony at the annual Prometheia festival of the Greek polytheistic group Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes, June 2006.

Other reconstructionist groups actively self-identify as "Pagan Reconstructionists" and may participate in pan-Pagan organizations or gatherings such as Pagan Pride Day. However, even among those who see themselves as part of the broader, Pagan or Neopagan spectrum, or who simply see some members of the Pagan community as allies, there is still a refusal to accept or identify with the more problematic aspects of that community, such as the above-noted eclecticism, cultural appropriation or Wiccan-inspired ritual structures. Many Pagan Reconstructionists see Reconstructionism as the older current in the Pagan community, and are unwilling to give up this part of their history simply because eclectic movements are currently more fashionable.

Neopaganism and ethnic nationalism

Main article: Neopaganism and the New Right

Further information: Ethnic nationalism, Ethnocentrism, and Völkisch movement

Historically folk religion was often suppressed by totalitarian regimes or religious institutions. When these regimes weaken or dissolve, often the populace will reinstitute their folk traditions, customs and languages as a form of cultural pride or nationalism. For example, in the countries formerly occupied by the Soviet Union, there has been a huge resurgence in folk traditions and religions. In some places where the dominant religion has had a legally enforced monopoly for centuries, the influx of folk religions is viewed as competition. This is most clearly illustrated by the ongoing discrimination against Greeks who practice their indigenous religion. Some right-wing European intellectuals, such as Alain de Benoist in France, have called for a restoration of polytheism in opposition to Christianity, which they see as internationally-minded, inclusive, and decadent.

Specific traditions

Further information: List of Neopagan movements

• Ancient Near East
  • Egyptian
    • House of Netjer (USA, 1988)
  • Natib Qadish (Canaanite)
  • Sumerian reconstructionism
    • Temple of Sumer
  • Jewitchery

• Baltic
  • Romuva (Lithuania, 1992)
  • Dievturība (Latvia)

• Celtic
  • Imbas (Washington State, 1999)
  • Gaol Naofa (Gaelic Polytheism)

• Estonian

• Finnish

• Germanic
  • Ásatrú (Norse)
    • Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið (Iceland, 1972)
    • Odinic Rite (1973)
    • Asatru Free Assembly (USA, 1974-1986)
    • Asatru Folk Assembly (USA, 1996)
    • Ásatrú Alliance (USA)
    • Swedish AsatruSociety (1994)
    • Åsatrufellesskapet Bifrost (Norway, 1996)

• Germanic (continued)
  • Ásatrú (continued)
    • Odinist Fellowship (1996)
    • Nornirs Ætt (Germany, 1997)
    • International Asatru-Odinic Alliance (1997-2002)
    • Foreningen Forn Sed (1999)
  • The Troth (USA, 1987)
  • Eldaring (Germany, 2000)
  • Theodism (Anglo-Saxon)
• Greek
  • Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes
  • Hellenion

• Roman
  • Movimento Tradizionale Romano (1992)
  • Nova Roma (1998)

• Slavic
  • RUNVira (Ukraine, 1966)
  • Native Polish Church (1995)
  • Native Faith Association of Ukraine (1998)

Sources

• The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft by Ronald Hutton ISBN 0-19-285449-6 (2001)
• On Being a Pagan by Alan de Benoist ISBN 0-9720292-2-2 (2005)
• The Dark Side of Christian History by Helen Ellerbe ISBN 0-9644873-4-9 (1995)
• Greek Folk Religion by Martin P. Nilsson ISBN 0-8122-1034-4 (1998)
• Athenian Religion: A History by Robert Parker ISBN 0-19-815240-X (1998)
• Greek Religion by Walter Burkert ISBN 0-674-36281-0 (1987)
• Russian Folk Belief by Linda J. Ivanits ISBN 0-87332-889-2 (1992)
• The Myths and Gods of India by Alain Daniélou ISBN 0-89281-354-7 (1991)
• Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today by Margot Adler ISBN 0-14-019536-X (1979, 1986, 1997, 2006)

External links

• World Congress of Ethnic Religions International organization concerned with the protection and development of ethnic cultures and identities
• Reconstructionist Pagan Religions in PDF format
• The Association of Polytheist Traditions While not strictly reconstructionist, APT is an educational group concerned with ancient historical religions as well as modern syncretist new age religions
• Neopagans vs. the Recons (beliefnet.com)
• The CR FAQ - An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionism A consensus document, co-authored by representatives