Atheist or Polytheist?

[EyeofOdin]

Most people assume that I'm an Atheist. If they don't know me, they assume that I'm a Christian because that's what they assume for everyone. If someone brings up spirituality with me, they say "But you just don't believe in anything, right?" To which I say "actually far from it. I'm a Germanic Polytheist." I then usually get "uh... what's that?"

This is puzzling to me. I proudly wear a Mjollnir and sometimes a pentacle, so most people would think that I religiously identify as something, even if they don't know exactly what the symbol I'm wearing means.

Is this common for the pagan/polytheist community? Just curious, are you often thought of as an Atheist even though you're openly pagan?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Hey...being an atheist, I get the 'But you must believe in something' comment. Perhaps in both cases it shows that people tend to see others in terms of their own worldview?

So, a Christian might see you as a Christian or an atheist. An Athiest in a Christian country may do the same. IN both cases, they are making assumptions based on their own worldview, and the direct rejection of that worldview.

The other thing is I wonder what role paganistic/Celtic style jewellery has played in not seeing a Mjollnir as a religious artifact?

 

[Quintessence]

Considering the term atheist originated (IIRC) as a way of saying "not of my theism/religion" it doesn't surprise me at all. In most respects, I find that way of using the term atheist far more useful than the standard dictionary definition.

I don't tend to have many conversations regarding religion in my day to day life, but when I have had them, I can't say I've had the problem of folks thinking I don't "believe" in some sort of god-concept. Perhaps this is because I tend to eschew religious identification labels when having these conversations at first and simply talk about what I find sacred and worthy of worship. It's often surprising to me how many Christians really have no problem with the idea of revering the natural world. They might not agree with calling those things gods, but they don't have a problem with the principle.

 

[LuisDantas]

I fear the Mjollnir is just not very well-known as a religious symbol, and the pentacle has become so fashionable in certain circles that people may fail to notice that it does have a religious meaning.

But above all, I think not too many people are really used to consider religious diversity.

 

[HonestJoe]

Nothing personal but I think you might be assuming too much. I'd suggest that most people do assume anything about a stranger's religion, not least because in most contexts it isn't relevant.

As for symbols, loads of people wear all sorts of symbols or clothing which could be religious but are actually nothing of the sort - even where they're actual religious symbols, that doesn't mean it's the reason they wear it. If someone sees a symbol, especially an unfamiliar one, there is no reason for them to make any connection to any religion.

 

[Sees]

It is just a cultural thing. If you look like them and wear clothes similar to them they naturally assume you are like them. Basically a degree from 1-10 with Atheist at 1 and bible-thumping, fundie Christian at 10. It's because vast majority are just culturally religious. It's something that doesn't matter to them aside from extraordinarily difficult times and special occasions. Why would you be different?

Think of this like Germanic traditions...it was the ways of the people. You would just assume somebody naturally followed the culture and honored the traditions.

Some people additionally don't like too much diversity and are rather afraid of it.... They would much rather subconsciously ignore any signs that you are an evil pagan than assume it. Mama said it was devil worship after all :devil:

If you dress really "goofy" or have a strange/foreign accent, different skin tone, etc. then they will more quickly start to think you are not a typical clone of the predominant culture.

Depending on where you live, work, etc. this ignorance might be a good thing. As much as people think of freedom/rights being all more better in modern times and modern nations you could easily be discriminated against for not believing in Jesus and going to church. I've seen it several times. I keep juicy details with friends and family or those who seem intelligent and open-minded during conversation.

 

[Jainarayan]

I fear the Mjollnir is just not very well-known as a religious symbol

You're probably right. I wear Mjolnir on a silver chain, as well as a Hanuman pendant on a silver chain. I'm waiting for someone to ask if Mjolnir is some sort of stylized cross... "So you're Christian again? But who's the monkey?"

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Why would someone connect atheism to polytheism?!

I've worn Thor's Hammer pendents before and no one ever noticed it. People notice when I wear my crucifixes though and compliment me on them. Then again, I've been complimented for a Sigil of Baphomet pendent, too.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

If I do not recognize a symbol right away I always assume it is a company logo or else just a neat design nothing really spectacular about it.

It doesn't surprise me that people do not know what those words mean, they just aren't as common and do not exactly appear as much as other religions do. And truthfully I'm sure there are more apathetic people than fundamentally religious in the world, so that lessens the chance of them hearing about the terms.

My teacher thought that Pagan is simply non-religious, but I wasn't going to speak up in class to correct that, no need really.