Romuva Spring Jorė festival in Kulionys, Lithuania in 2006.

Polytheistic reconstructionism, or simply reconstructionism, is the practice of re-establishing and practicing historical polytheistic religions in the modern world. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... A Lithuanian museum of ethnocosmology tower Kulionys is a village in Lithuania (MolÄ—tai district municipality), near MolÄ—tai, mostly famous for its astronomical observatory and Lithuanian museum of ethnocosmology. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Polytheism is belief in or worship of multiple gods or deities. ...

Overview

Reconstructionist religions are new religious movements and 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 religious practice. In some areas, like Greece and in the former Soviet Union regions, modern adherents of reconstructionist religions view their practice as a continued extension of the indigenous religious practices of their ancestors. A new religious movement or NRM is a term used to refer to a religious faith, or an ethical, spiritual or philosophical movement of recent origin that isnt part of an established denomination, church, or religious body. ... Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is any of a heterogeneous group of new religious movements, particularly those influenced by ancient, primarily pre-Christian and sometimes pre-Judaic religions. ... For the opening number of Fiddler on the Roof, see Tradition (song). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The term indigenous peoples has no universal, standard or fixed definition, but can be used about any ethnic group who inhabit the geographic region with which they have the earliest historical connection. ...

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.[5][6][7]

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. Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. ... For the Celtic Frost album, see Monotheist (album) In theology, monotheism (from Greek one and god) is the belief in the existence of one deity or God, or in the oneness of God. ... In religion and philosophy, henotheism is a term coined by Max Müller, meaning belief in, and possible worship of, multiple gods, one of which is supreme. ... Henotheism (Greek heis theos one god) is a term coined by Max Müller, to mean devotion to a single God while accepting the existence of other gods. ... Pantheism (Greek: πάν ( pan ) = all and θεός ( theos ) = God) literally means God is All and All is God. It is the view that everything is of an all-encompassing immanent abstract God; or that the universe, or nature, and God are equivalent. ...

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" [8] This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

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, 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

Romuva ritual

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."^[2] 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. However, the idea of Reconstructionist religions is much older, as seen in traditions such as Reconstructionist Judaism. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is any of a heterogeneous group of new religious movements, particularly those influenced by ancient, primarily pre-Christian and sometimes pre-Judaic religions. ... Phillip Emmons Issac Bonewits (born October 1, 1949) is an influential Neopagan leader and author. ... Margot Adler (born 5 November 1946 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is a journalist and correspondent for National Public Radio. ... Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler was, perhaps, the first academic examination of Neopaganism. ... Reconstructionist Judaism is a modern American-based Jewish movement, based on the ideas of the late Mordecai Kaplan, that views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization. ...

Pagan reconstructionism has evolved into a distinct subset of Neopaganism, one that is separate from syncretic or eclectic movements like Wicca. 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. Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is any of a heterogeneous group of new religious movements, particularly those influenced by ancient, primarily pre-Christian and sometimes pre-Judaic religions. ... The pentagram within a circle, a symbol of faith used by many Wiccans, sometimes called a pentacle. ... Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws upon multiple theories, styles, or ideas to gain complementary insights into a subject, or applies different theories in particular cases. ...

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.^[3] 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 format, that they find irrelevant or even inimical to their religious practice.^[4][5] Look up pagan, heathen in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is any of a heterogeneous group of new religious movements, particularly those influenced by ancient, primarily pre-Christian and sometimes pre-Judaic religions. ...

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.^[6] 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 or Wiccan 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 Wicca and eclecticism are currently more fashionable.^[7] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes (Ύπατο Συμβούλιο των Ελλήνων Εθνικών), commonly known as YSEE, is an umbrella organisation in Greece established in 1997 to defend and restore the ethnic, polytheistic, Hellenic tradition, religion and way in contemporary Greek society. ... Pagan Pride Day is one of various annual festivals held worldwide celebrating Paganism, Wicca and modern witchcraft. ...

Nationalism

Historically, many folk religions are suppressed by totalitarian regimes or religious institutions^[8]. 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 persecution and discrimination against Greeks who practice their indigenous religion.^[9] Some right-wing European intellectuals, such as Alain de Benoist in France, have openly claimed for a restoration of polytheism as opposed to what they see as decadent, internationally-minded, inclusive Christianity.^[10] Folk religion consists of beliefs, superstitions and rituals transmitted from generation to generation of a specific culture. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Many followers of Ancient Greek religion have experienced persecution, mainly from Christians. ... Alain de Benoist (born 11 December 1943) is a French academic, founder of the Nouvelle Droite (English: ) and head of the French think tank GRECE. Benoist is little known outside his native France but his writings have been highly influential on anti-globalist thought, primarily on the political right, with...

Practice outside of cultural and regional context

Many practitioners of folk religions live outside of the culture and territories from which they arose. The United States, which is predominantly comprised of European diaspora peoples and their descendants has a relatively large Reconstructionist milieu.^[11] Also for some, Reconstuctionist religions are not simply a matter of Romantic Nationalism but may represent a world-view such as that of Classical Antiquity. For other uses, see Diaspora (disambiguation). ...

See also

Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism (CR) is a polytheistic, animistic, religious and cultural movement. ... Celtic polytheism (also called Druidic polytheism) is the term for the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Celts. ... Finnish neopaganism is an attempt to revive old Finnish paganism, a pre-Christian religion of Finland. ... The Mjolnir is one of the primary symbols of Germanic neopaganism. ... Hellenic polytheism is any polytheistic religion honoring the gods of the ancient Greek pantheon. ... Kemetic reconstructionism is a form of reconstructionist religion which recreates the ancient Egyptian beliefs and practices. ... Natib Qadish is also known as Canaanite Paganism, Canaanite Neopaganism, or Canaanite Reconstructionism. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... // General Meaning A modern movement which acknowledges and embraces the spiritual aspects of being transsexual or transgendered, as inspired by the ancient Galli of Rome. ... Location of Phrygia - traditional region (yellow) - expanded kingdom (orange line) In antiquity, Phrygia (Greek: ) was a kingdom in the west central part of the Anatolian Highland, part of modern Turkey. ... Most Slavic neopagans follow customs of old Slavic religion and revere Slavic gods. ... Note; many of the names that follow, such as Perun are those taken and renamed by those who have discovered evidence, and are not the actual, acurate historical names of many of the real gods, or figures in slavic mythology. ...

Notes

PDF is an abbreviation with several meanings: Portable Document Format Post-doctoral fellowship Probability density function There also is an electronic design automation company named PDF Solutions. ... February 2007 is the second month of the year. ... The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen guarantees freedom of religion, as long as religious activities do not infringe on public order in ways detrimental to society. ...

References

External links

Organizations

Note: There are literally hundreds if not thousands of different reconstructionist groups, practicing an extremely wide range of religions. The following list is not meant to be all inclusive, but represent the large variety of extant religious traditions.

Further reading

• World Congress of Ethnic Religions International organization concerned with the protection and development of ethnic cultures and identities
• Religious Tolerance.org Has specific entries about numerous reconstructionist faiths
• 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
• The CR FAQ - An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionism A consensus document, co-authored by representatives of multiple, long-standing, Celtic Reconstructionist sub-traditions.