Deity And Respect For Culture, Is there such a thing as "cultural theft"? Options

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)?

This argument currently hits very close to my heart.

I am adverse to mixing pantheons, yet find myself coming very close to doing so and at this time see no good argument against it, as long as it is done wisely.

I will explain the argument against the mix from an archetypal standpoint, then add in the cultural and temporal elements.

Most Pantheons have a fairly complete set of archetypes, some more then complete. The myths and lore surrounding one character can not be isolated without taking into account the other players.

However, when mixing, there is more overlap, more contention. The idea of calling on one set of entities from multiple pantheons in one situation who may all have the abilities to overcome this obstacle sounds perfect.
They will do it, they will more then do it.
However the approach of each comes into play. If two pantheon related entities are used, you know or have a good idea how they will interplay. If you use entities from different pantheons, that interplay is questionable at best.

Cultural and temporal concerns:
Each Pantheon was created at a time and place where it made sense to the followers, some gods stayed some where lost to time. The transformation of gods was also common as time moved to different requirements.

The Norse Gods reflected the unforgiving nature of the world according to it’s followers. Part of the north European dwellers who occupied the harshest regions during a mini ice age. Work ethic and doing what must be done regardless of the pain or struggle seems to be central there. Baldr “god of innocence, peace, joy…” is killed through trickery. These are a people who did not hold much for people who did not work with their hands.

They did not disvalue people who worked off of intelligence (the complexity of Loki’s story shows this) but they did not trust them.

On the flip side of the continent you had the Greek/Roman gods. Their influences where diverse some affecting only certain aspects of things, some only certain geographical areas of influence. But in general, intelligence, the arts, and invention where all very highly valued. Wine was one of the things held in the highest regard.

Now mixing entities of these two pantheons, seems silly in many cases. You have enough Greek/Roman gods to pretty much cover anything. But I find myself leaning in that direction none the less.

Odin hold way too much interest for me, almost a sway/influence. I for the most part can claim little if any Teutonic blood or heritage, however go back in my pretty much total Italian blood line and some Celts and Germanics are sure to fall from my tree. Specially being that part of my family is from the Alps. There was a mix of cultures if I ever saw one.

In my divinations practice, I prefer and study Tarot more then anything else, however Runes have never and I mean never been untrue and not direct for me, totally freaky and blunt. Where Tarot just seems way to open for me, however when talking about people I have taught tarot to…they are totally spot on, it is freaky.

So if you create a system with Gods from different pantheons, know what you are going for, but there are people who will struggle against it for a number of reasons. Just doing what feels right, is fine for one person, but for more then one person…it gets sticky fast.

You have to be an expert in every field you are using if you are mixing as it can be necessary for explaining to others.