The Pagan Heart Editorial Comments

March-June 2006 Issue

Pagan Morality By Frigga's Weft I've been having a debate with a few friends recently over morality and ethics as a Pagan versus the common misconception amongst the American public that only mainstream religions provide a moral and ethical framework. What forms the moral compass of a Pagan - especially an Eclectic, for example - when there is no 10 Commandments or Law of 'Whoever' to follow. How do Pagans decide upon a set of morals - do they shift and change as need or desire dictate? What makes a Pagan be moral? And what happens when Pagan morality butts heads with (for example) Christian? Who's right? How is it decided? As a Pagan my first reaction to such questions has all too often been outrage and disgust. What makes a Pagan inherently immoral that such questions need asking - or could even be entertained in the real world. As a realist living in the States I know the answer too well. The 'Christian' mindset here is responsible. Christian mindset - it sounds so absolute. It's not of course. There are as many varieties of Christian as there are Pagan and they seem to have a vast sliding scale when it comes to determining right and wrong, moral and immoral. What one Christian accepts another won't. But there is a certain mentality that infuses this country which is founded within the Christian mindset. It is dictated by Fundamentalist attitudes and is quite closeted. The average American doesn't seem to have a good understanding of what Pagan means aside from the standard devil worshipping Goth. Yet the average American probably isn't a Fundamentalist Christian. I've lived here for over ten years. In that time I have yet to discuss Paganism with someone and not need to explain what I mean by the term. Unless, of course, I am talking with a fellow Pagan. Atheist, Agnostic, Buddhist, or Jew...they are all equally ignorant in their understanding and often equally offensive in their assumptions. Innocently meant though those assumptions may be. They all parrot the same ignorant drivel about what Pagans are and what they believe. Drivel grounded in Christian propaganda. And without fail, especially in discussions with religious people, the topic of morality arises. And I get asked, "What makes you be good?" As a Nordic Pagan I have a clear set of moral and ethical laws. Known as the Nine Noble Virtues they are simple yet profound truths that reflect the same moral ideology of every other culture. They are not rules given us by the gods, but rather elemental truths to human spiritual development the ancestors have discovered...with a little inspiration, perhaps: Courage - having the bravery to do what is right at all times despite the personal cost Truth - striving to always be honest and speak what one knows to be true and right Honour - an inner sense of worth which understands that one is innately noble in character and the desire to show respect for this when recognising it elsewhere. This flows over to acting with honour - which comes from living the Nine Noble Virtues with an honest heart Fidelity - having the will and strength to be loyal to oneself, one's Kindred, and the Gods. Also a commitment to healing and bettering the world for all through living a virtuous life Discipline - the ability and desire to be strict with one's self and also if need be with others. To strive to achieve one's goals, to follow one's Path, and to be virtuous Hospitality - the desire to share what one has with others - especially those far from home. The effort to make visitors feel welcome and at home Industriousness - the joyful desire to work hard and strive for efficiency. It is also the ability to live life to the fullest, always striving for success. To follow the faith to the fullest, to work hard, to live honestly but fully. To work at relationships and callings Self-Reliance - an independent spirit brought to bear for oneself, one's kith and kin, one's tribe, one's nation. Do not sit back and wait for others to do it for you but step up and act. Ask for help if you need it but achieve what you truly can through your own efforts Perseverance - a refusal to give up if the intent is true and worthy, to learn from failure, and strive until all obstacles are overcome This is what I use as my moral compass. It helps me to define my ethical sense of right and wrong. But naturally I wasn't born following this. Like anyone else, Christian or not, I was exposed to many things - both bad and good - that helped me to find my way to a path that best suited my strengths and helped me defeat my weaknesses. My parents, my peers, my school, the books I read, the movies I watched, the people I talked with, events in my home and the world - the list is endless as to what brought me to this particular point. And it hasn't stopped. No morality is static. We change as events affect us. As we learn and grow so to does our understanding of not only the black and white but all the shades of grey. For me the difference is that I behave in a moral and ethical fashion because my soul tells me it is the Path I should follow. Not because my god will punish me for failing to follow his/her rules. A weak and corrupt man no matter how Christian he calls himself, how obedient to his god, will rarely behave in a truly moral fashion. He will seek the easiest path, the one that best meets his desires without causing him effort or harm. A stubborn and proud woman will use the 'morality' of her faith as a mask to hide her judgmental nature behind, proclaiming that she does as her god commands and that you will fall because you do not. A generous, honest, and hard-working person, whether Pagan, Christian, or Atheist, will reflect inner beauty and strength, showing how moral and ethical life can be because of human nature and intent. Ultimately what it comes down to is what sort of person are you? That is what determines your morality. I know what I am. Do you?

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