Reflections

Reflections Belief and Knowing

By Jane Offer

The use of words in different contexts, and the response this generates, is quite fascinating: big, indicating height, can be interpreted as fat by a person struggling with weight; easy used instead of simple, can imply to those that struggle with a concept, that they are stupid when they don’t find it easy to understand. It’s all in the interpretation and the intention behind what is implied.

“Pagan is one such word introduced by Christianity as a broad term for any polytheistic tradition not centred on the Bible.”

Pagan is one such word introduced by Christianity as a broad term for any polytheistic tradition not centred on the Bible. Originally, this term also included Buddhism and Hinduism, which are viewed today as mainstream religions.

Pagans or paganism was not a term used by the people themselves, only by Christians who interchanged it with the word ‘heathen’, implying that pagans were savages living in trees and caves, with no cultural structure due to a lack of religious beliefs. This is far from the truth. Their practice has always been based on reverence for nature. As far back as Man developed a perception of the natural order, this was normal practice, thus pre-dating Christianity by millennia.

After Christianity was adopted in the Roman Empire in the 4th century CE, non-Christian religions were gradually outlawed in empire-controlled lands. However, Christianity remained a minority religion in Britain, restricted mainly to the urban centres and their hinterlands. It coexisted with indigenous polytheistic religion in the villages and the countryside for many centuries, with the two often being combined. Throughout Britain, paganism remained strong in the AngloSaxon country communities, despite a massive push between 590 – 690 CE by the Roman Church to convert the populous. Despite this, country people continued to use crossed ley lines and underwater energy lines as the centre of their sacred ceremonial sites. Ceremonies showing gratitude to the earth and the bountiful nature of the harvests enhanced the energy of these places, which were treated with deep respect.

Following the Norse people arriving in the 9th century, bringing their polytheistic beliefs, British pagans incorporated Viking-based deities. Woden, the chief deity known as Oden in Norse mythology; Frigg, Odin’s wife, the Mother archetype. Tiw, the god of wars and treaties, Thunor, known as Thor, the god of thunder, lightning and storms

“…Christians who interchanged it with the word ‘heathen’, implying that pagans were savages living in trees and caves…”

and Eostre, a spring goddess who gave her name to Easter.

This caused an even stronger push to eradicate this ‘heathen’ belief system. By the 10th century, most people had been forcibly converted to Christianity.

Churches were often built over the pagan ceremonial sites. Many of the celebration days were included as part of the Christian calendar. The Winter Solstice, known as Yule, occurs on the 25th of December. Harvest Thanks Giving, celebrated in late November, coincides with the time of the year when surplus livestock that could not be fed were killed and preserved.

“…when they were forced away from their spiritual beliefs and practices, they lost their anchor, their identity.”

There was no longer an attempt to coexist, more an attempt to force the people away from their practice and embrace the Church. It had taken three centuries to thoroughly remove the ancient ways of the polytheistic society to a monotheism belief system.

Speaking lately with an Aboriginal elder, he explained the impact on his culture of the conversion from the ancient way to the new religion foisted on their culture. They overcame physical abuse as the body heals; they were not fully broken by emotional and mental abuse; however, when they were forced away from their spiritual beliefs and practices, they lost their anchor, their identity. This is the case with any conversion carried out by force. We only need to look at the Spanish Inquisition and other enforced coercion specifically designed to move people into a formulated belief to realise that spirituality is not something that can be forced. It creates a sense of loss and disengagement from the self, from our sense of knowing.

There is a vast difference between belief and knowing. Belief is external, taught to us through another’s ideals and persuasion, whereas knowing is within us. It sits deep in our soul-self and brings a sense of peace and identity. It is individual; each knowing is a unique experience that can be shared and discussed. However, it cannot be forced on another. We need to feel part of a society, a tribe. We need to be allowed to think and choose for ourselves, and it is crucial we feel safe to share our thoughts with others without the risk of ridicule or aggression. We need to be comfortable in our own skin, which makes for a balanced life, with each aspect of our being supplied and nourished. When even one part is out of kilter with the others, we do not feel safe or fulfilled; something is missing.

That is the time to seek our truth, and it is the joy of exploration that makes this life’s journey exciting.

Jane Offer M.Msc is available for individual and couple counselling, Soul Mastery readings and facilitates classes/workshops on many metaphysical subjects. Please ring for an appointment 0431 168 027. NDIS clients are welcome. Image Credit: Pixabay