Questions for Pagans Pt. 5

Pagan Gods

How do Pagan ‘gods’ have an active role in your life?

I have a polytheistic attitude, but I'm not a polytheist. That means that I'm perfectly at ease with differing theological perspectives and ideas -- polytheist, pantheist, panentheist, monotheist, animist, whatever. I enjoy the diversity. I'm grateful for it actually, if only to remind those of the Abrahamic religions that there are many ways to understand deity. I even use polytheistic language. I talk of Kali and Apollo, Freya and Lugh. But like I said, I'm not a polytheist; I don't believe in these beings called gods. I believe in nature and that "gods" are personifications of natural features and forces as well as skills and crafts. The fire Brigid, the thunder Zeus, the sun Amaterasu, love Cupid.

While I don't literally believe in a gray-eyed woman named Athena sitting up there somewhere, a figure like this is far easier to connect with than an abstract concept like wisdom or a skill like weaving. So when I want to connect with these concepts or develop these skills, I seek Athena. In that sense, the gods have a very active role in my life as I seek to connect with nature and better myself. I guess you might say I'm actually more of an animist as well as a Recon nightmare.

Do some pagans create their own gods?

Probably, but I've never met any that have created their own gods. I don't really see why anyone would given that there are so many wonderful, rich pantheons.

Questions for Pagans Pt. 1
Questions for Pagans Pt. 2
Questions for Pagans Pt. 3
Questions for Pagans Pt. 4
Questions for Pagans Pt. 5
Questions for Pagans Pt. 6