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 Deity And Respect For Culture, Is there such a thing as "cultural theft"?
Khenti_Amenti
post Oct 22 2007, 03:43 AM
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In more serious Pagan circles the discusion is often in the lines with "Man can not manipulate Gods and thinking so is hubris. Taking Divine names out of cultural context (ie Zeus out of Greek Religion) is Cultural theft and disrespectful". All this ofcaurse with total disregard for differing paradigms and Ontologies.

It is seen as "using" Divine names in Magickal work is a disrespect towards the Deities in question (as opose to general belief most Pagan Religions do not deal in Magick).
I will not go in to paradigms here since what cnstitutes a God differs even within Religions (proper) but it should be clear, i think, that a Golden Dawn member vibrating "Zeus" has another world view than a Hellenist worshipping Zeus.

1. What is your view?
Whether or not you have a paradigm that allows for Divine names from different Cultures, do you feel it could somehow be seen as disrespectful towards that Culture or followers of a Reconstructive Religion conected to it?

2. When you invoke a Divine name in Ritual, have you studied that God and how he / she was actually percieved in ancient times in an academic manner (not even Victorian Orders such as GD and O.T.O. has their understanding of ancient Gods, Cults and Culture right acording to more modern academic studies)?

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bym
post Oct 22 2007, 09:06 AM
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Greetings!

I'm of the opinion that you may insult or relay a sense of 'disrespect' by using divine names out of their original context but what does it matter sociologically. Thaumaturgy and chaos magic(k) rarely stop to ponder etiquette. They are after results albeit with a hammer and square pegs for round holes... The trouble this engenders is of a subtle nature (IMHO) and that being one of vibration of energy and energy currents and their action upon the experience.

A prime example of this may be found in the current disection of the Goetia by modern magicians and Newage. Since (in example) that the 'demon' Astaroth has its roots in the Sumer Astarte/Ashtoreth fame that the two (or three) are thus equal and of the same energy. Not so! Socially you'll find that adherents of Astarte rather put out with the equating of their goddess with a Judaeic demon. In Thaumaturgic workings these energies operate at completely different wavelengths!....where does this leave us? I, for one, tend to use godnames/forms within their own spheres and thus have been 'blessed' with what I consider a better result. Crossing these boundaries oftimes yield mud. I don't think that many practioners of modern times take time to ferret out and meditate on the differences within the systems brought to modern light. Newage literature has given a jaundiced eye and leaves us lacking.

I hope that my rant articulated a coherent opinion.

Nice question(s) btw! Thank you!


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Rest in Peace Bym.
http://www.sacred-magick.org/index.php?showtopic=7662

~The Sacred Magick Management

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