Practical Tolerance: Making Peace Without Backing Down

Something primal attracted each of us to Hellenic Polytheism—a belief in the Gods, perhaps, or the sense that those silent museum statues were saying something profound about the human experience. Polytheism captivates us because it is unlike what we know. It has a simple (but not primitive) system of morality. Hospitality, compassion, and courage are parts of our religion.

Religious tolerance exists within our tradition as well. As Solon advised, we should respect the Gods. One of the best arguments for religious tolerance based on Solon was provided by a secularist comparing the Ten Commandments of Moses to the Ten Commandments of Solon. He writes:

[W]e see how much more Solon's single religious commandment can be made to suit our society and our civic ideals: it does not have to restrict religious freedom, for it does not demand that we believe in anyone's god or follow anyone's religious rules. It remains in the appropriate plural. Solon asks us to give the plethora of gods the regard that they are due, and we can say that some gods are not due much--such as the racist gods and gods of hellfire. In the end, it is good to be respectful of the gods of others, which we can do even if we are criticizing them, even if we disbelieve in them.

One may argue (and quite validly) that Ancient Greek societies [read: Athens] were religiously conservative. Religious conservatism doesn’t mean that they couldn’t have respect for different traditions in other city-states and countries. In fact, it was considered taboo for armies to defile foreign sanctuaries. Just look at the consequences of Aias violating Cassandra in the Iliad.

However, polytheists have been a considerable minority in the West since the widespread murder (is it genocide if the people being killed are of the same ethnic background?) and forced conversion practiced wherever Christianity gained broad political backing. Look at The Passion of the Greeks, this YouTube video series, and YSEE’s list of atrocities for more information (note: I don't support YSEE because they don't support having some kind of religious ceremony for homosexual commitment ceremonies, but you're welcome to check them out because they provide good articles).

The most common religions in the West—Christianity, Islam, and (by extension) Judaism—have controlled it for ~1500 years. Our religion and freedom of thought are an anathema to their very dogma. Let me highlight one specific moment of “I can't believe someone actually said that!”:

Murder, rape, child molesting and genocide. These are all some of the appalling crimes which occur in our world today. Many would think that these are the worst possible offences [sic] which could be committed. But there is something which outweighs all of these crimes put together: It is the crime of shirk (associating partners with the sole Lord and Creator).

Some people may question this notion. But when viewed in a proper context, the fact that there is no crime worse then shirk, will become evident to every sincere person.

– From “Shirk (Polytheism): The Ultimate Crime,” Islaam.ca

Christianity also condemns polytheism as a sin against their deity: “The exclusivity of the Gospel is not merely a facet of the church's message. Indeed, a Gospel that does not affirm that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone is not the Gospel of Christ, but a false gospel. As Lisa Miller correctly recites, Jesus did say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." [John 14:6]” [source]

As this shows—and as many of us already realize—the problem of intolerance is rooted in religions that consider themselves the one universal way to salvation. I have trouble believing that a Jewish rabbi with a message for the Jewish people intended to start Christianity, mostly because I think that taking the Jewish religious narrative away from them trivializes their cultural identity by making their origins and rituals common to everyone.

Unfortunately, as polytheists we need to deal with people who want us to convert. Unlike a mystery religion, converting to monotheism requires giving up our freedom to think and choose who and how we want to worship. It means incorporating a different ritual language. Sacred offerings at shrines become swear words. Heinous acts of violence become martyrdom.

Monotheists have the right to pray in their closets and congregate on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. They do not have the right to commit hate crimes against our minds. They do not have the right to view us as criminals. They do not have the right to Witness to others without consequence, no matter how much their Pauline faith or sacred text demands this, just as I don’t have the right to demand civic participation in sacrifice. Their behavior is unacceptable in decent society.

Besides, if their religions don’t teach them to honor other human beings’ beliefs, what is monotheism good for? If we all commit to mind our own business and not force others into our faith without their consent, the world will be a better place.

I'm interested in hearing how other polytheists deal with or avoid intolerant individuals and institutions. Where do you put the line between genuinely practicing religion and harming others? What do you do to ensure that our religious freedoms will be kept safe?