Polytheism is Theology-Inclusive
An important note about polytheism generally, including Celtic polytheism.
There is no enforced doctrine of faith.
Many polytheists are self-described “hard” polytheists. They believe the gods are objectively real, individual beings. This is completely at home in a polytheist mindset; hard polytheists are a-okay.
But so are some other views:
- The gods are all part of a single godhead
- The gods are archetypes or psychological; they are not objectively real beings
- The gods are literary characters in profound, metaphorical stories
- Agnosticism
These viewpoints are expressed in different schools of classical Vedic philosophy, and are still accepted in Hinduism today. Many of these views are also expressed in different schools of Classical philosophy. They are certainly espoused by devoted followers of European gods today.
All of these views are acceptable in polytheism. Belief is not doctrinal; it is left to the individual.
If you have strong faith in the gods, that’s cool. But if you think all polytheists have to have strong faith in the gods, you’re hurting polytheism.
