I made a post under the neopagan DIR a few months back in regards to fictional pantheons, and I want to push out a similar thread here.
The RDNA (Reformed Druids of North America), have a deity in their pantheon, Dalon ap Landu, who does not appear in any historical works, and is suspected to be entirely invented. Many members of RDNA have claimed powerful experiences with this deity, though.
So, my question(s) are this: What makes a deity real to you? If one knows they are using a fictional deity, like Cthulhu for instance, but have personal experiences with it, is that deity in turn real? Do we call deities into being by giving them a name and calling upon them? Or are the deities of old just responding to new names?
The RDNA (Reformed Druids of North America), have a deity in their pantheon, Dalon ap Landu, who does not appear in any historical works, and is suspected to be entirely invented. Many members of RDNA have claimed powerful experiences with this deity, though.
So, my question(s) are this: What makes a deity real to you? If one knows they are using a fictional deity, like Cthulhu for instance, but have personal experiences with it, is that deity in turn real? Do we call deities into being by giving them a name and calling upon them? Or are the deities of old just responding to new names?