Post by kalen on Apr 25, 2015 23:32:21 GMT -6
Part of my polytheistic practice is framed within also belonging to unitarian universalists - noncreedal, but principled. UU members have various theistic beliefs, but meet in community while recognizing common spiritual principles (at least, that's how I see it). I wouldn't call it the most important part of my beliefs, hellenic polytheist here, but it is part of how I experience religious practice in community while my personal polytheistic beliefs are respected. Through online UU groups and group membership, I do encounter other polytheists within UU.
In a somewhat similar vein, twelve step spirituality also informs my spiritual practice on an ongoing basis. Things have been going well with that for sometime, so feel I'm enjoying a stable low-drama success there. The spiritual principles within it inform my practice, but I am the only hard polytheist I know in the meetings I attend regularly. But, the beliefs of the individual within twelve step recovery programs are open to higher powers of one's understanding. Also, I feel secure enough to say that the Gods are fine with me putting recovery in my primary program first - ahead of any religious belief whatsoever - including my belief in them. So, it's important, but doesn't interfere with my polytheism
Anyway, I wouldn't call them syncretic or other theisms either, so I wasn't sure where these topics informing one's spiritual practice while a polytheist, would fit here. Suggestions? I'm not even sure how to categorize them on this board since they aren't competing practices, but the polytheists within either spiritual community, are in the minority, though principally accepted within those communities as well (though more formally within UU).
If this is an idiosyncratic case, I suppose it could just be part of my introduction. But, I would think others have similar kinships where they find support while holding such a minority religion within the culture overall.
In a somewhat similar vein, twelve step spirituality also informs my spiritual practice on an ongoing basis. Things have been going well with that for sometime, so feel I'm enjoying a stable low-drama success there. The spiritual principles within it inform my practice, but I am the only hard polytheist I know in the meetings I attend regularly. But, the beliefs of the individual within twelve step recovery programs are open to higher powers of one's understanding. Also, I feel secure enough to say that the Gods are fine with me putting recovery in my primary program first - ahead of any religious belief whatsoever - including my belief in them. So, it's important, but doesn't interfere with my polytheism
Anyway, I wouldn't call them syncretic or other theisms either, so I wasn't sure where these topics informing one's spiritual practice while a polytheist, would fit here. Suggestions? I'm not even sure how to categorize them on this board since they aren't competing practices, but the polytheists within either spiritual community, are in the minority, though principally accepted within those communities as well (though more formally within UU).
If this is an idiosyncratic case, I suppose it could just be part of my introduction. But, I would think others have similar kinships where they find support while holding such a minority religion within the culture overall.
