For some reason, heathens seem preoccupied with 'faith'. We
have 'Vor Tru', Asatru, 'Faith, Folk and Family, even
Theodism is called 'Theodish Belief'. Is what we
believe as heathens the most important thing? Is there such
thing as 'Orthodoxy' in a non-dogmatic religion? I would
say that there is. However, my mental assent to certain
theological truths is immaterial if it does not translate
into correct practice. Just like the Bad Book says 'Faith
without works, is dead'
I was going to spend a lot of time in this epistle relating
to you, fair reader, the meanings of words like Orthodoxy
and Orthopraxy. Suffice it to say that what I make a case
for here is Orthopraxy…that is to say 'Right Action' or
'Right Practice'. If you want a more detailed history
of the word avail yourself of the Wikipedia entry. Pay
particular attention to what the entry says about how
Orthopraxy relates to Ancient Pagan religions.
We know what the bad book says, but how does this relate to
heathenry? In modern heathenry, the saying 'We are our
deeds' has gained a certain amount of currency. This is
because it has become apparent to us from the lore that our
elder kin (whom we shall refer to as 'Arch Heathen') valued
action and practice far more than belief. In the
Havamal, in the Runetal section the writer asks the
questions
Do you know how to carve them?
Do you know how to stain them?
Do you know how to pray?
Do you know how to blot?
It quickly becomes apparent to us from this passage that
there are correct ways of doing holy things. This also
implies that there are incorrect ways of doing holy things.
This is an idea that rubs a great many modern heathens the
wrong way. The passage does not ask what we believe about
carving, staining, praying or blot. It asks us if we know
how to DO them. The implication to me is both clear
and a bit disquieting. I have begun to think that the Gods
do not really care at all what we believe. They seem to be
far more concerned about correct action than about correct
belief.
This article has taken me months to write because the topic
hits so close to home for me. The question of correct
practice ignites arguments and splinters groups into
shards. People end up paying homage to their UPG*
(Unverified Personal Gnosis) or want to decide religious
practice by popular vote. Knowledge of the Holy and
apprehension of the lore seem to take a back seat to this
rather egalitarian way of thinking. I know, I
know…it sounds rather autocratic doesn't it? However, when
we speak about 'right practice' we have to do a few things.
First, we have to discuss what it is that we do and
why. We should also examine things like superstition
and taboo and make sure that we observe such things. There
are reasons for taboos, very good reasons.
So, what is it that we do and why the Hel do we do it? In
short, we are about the business of 'giving the Gods
theirs'. That means that when we give a gift or offering to
the Gods that we should probably do it in such a way that
is acceptable to them. We should also make sure that we do
NOT give to them in such a way as to offend them, this
would defeat our very purpose would it not? Really, it's no
different from giving a gift to a close friend or respected
grandparent. When its grandma's birthday would one give her
a gift that she did not want in a way that might offend
her? Most likely not. One would not give her a pair of
rusty pliers, wrapped in newspaper found in a dumpster and
say, "There you go granny, happy birthday. Here's your
gift, take it or leave it."When we pay no attention to
'correct practice' we are in essence doing that with the
Gods. We do not mean ill, but in the final analysis that
doesn't matter. We might do what seems right to us, but it
really doesn't matter to the Gods one whit what we feel or
believe is right. If it is not right, then it is not right.
End of story. If a person is unwilling to worship the Gods
correctly, one should refrain from worship. Simple as that.
If you are more interested in what you personally believe,
what you personally feel is right…my suggestion to you is
that you go and worship some other Gods, gods who do not
care about being offended, Gods who don't care if something
is done correctly. I know that some of you are shaking your
heads. I know that some of you are thinking 'what a self
righteous prick…who does he think he is?' As my only
defense I offer this, the work of worship is very very
serious business. If you are unprepared to be serious then
perhaps you are doing the wrong thing.
Some of you might also be wondering how we might find out
how to do something correctly. How do we define our
'correct practice'? We should always start with the lore.
This means endless hours of eye straining research by
people who know a bunch of languages, both quick and dead.
This means lots of time spent reading poetry, sagas,
primary and secondary sources and things like history,
archaeology and anthropology texts. This means comparative
religion and studies in folklore. If you are unprepared to
do this, then you should probably find someone who has been
willing to do this. When you find them, though,
take my advice…don't try to force your feelings and beliefs
on them, particularly if you 'feel' that they are wrong
because what they have to tell you offends your modern
sensibilities. Remember, this is not about how you
feel. It is about 'correct practice'. Correct practice
doesn't mean making stuff up as you go along or
universalizing your personal gnosis. The truth is
that the Truth is out there, waiting to be uncovered. If
you don't have the guts or brains to do so than get out of
the way of those who do.
An ancillary way of figuring out if we are doing things
correctly could be to ask ourselves the question "even if
we are speaking a modern tongue, would the Arch Heathens
recognize whatever it is that we are doing?" If the
answer is 'no' or even 'maybe' perhaps it's time to go back
to the eye straining research. The information is out
there for us to find. Correct practice starts with what we
know to be correct and grows with the revelation of each
new bit of knowledge. The Truth is out there. Now, go and
find it.
