Piety:
correct observance of ritual and social traditions; the maintenance
of the agreements, both personal and societal, that we humans have
with the Gods and Spirits. Keeping the Old Ways, through ceremony and
duty. 1
Piety: noun \ˈpī-ə-tē\ 1: the quality or state of being pious: as
Piety: noun \ˈpī-ə-tē\ 1: the quality or state of being pious: as
a
:
fidelity to natural obligations (as to parents)
b
:
dutifulness in religion :
devoutness
2
: an act
inspired by piety
Piety was an important virtue in every Indo-European culture, and it had very little to do with actual belief. In fact, we get the word 'Atheist' from the Pagan Romans, who expected the Christians to be pious enough to make the simple offerings that maintained the Pax Deorum ('peace of the gods'), and they really didn't care that the Christians didn't believe in those offerings3. Another example of Pagans from an Indo-European culture expecting rites to be followed regardless of the belief of the person doing them, is that of the Christian king Haakon ('the Good'), who was compelled to participate in Heathen rites regardless of his personal disdain for them4. The thoughts of the individual are not nearly as important as the maintenance of the reciprocal relationships between the community and the kindreds. As polytheists, our focus is typically on orthopraxy as opposed to orthodoxy, in other words, what is done is far more important than what is thought. Which is why it is possible for the many hearth cultures of ADF to nestle so harmoniously under the same umbrella, and also why it is a virtue to maintain our shrines, give our offerings, and continue our practices regardless of whether or not we 'feel like it'.
Words - 212 (excl. quotations)
1
Our Own Druidry: An Introduction to Ar nDraiocht Fein and the Druid Path (p. 62). Tucson, Arizona: ADF Publishing.
Our Own Druidry: An Introduction to Ar nDraiocht Fein and the Druid Path (p. 62). Tucson, Arizona: ADF Publishing.
2 (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piety
3
Kirsch, J. (2004). God against the gods: The history of the war between monotheism and polytheism (p. 16). New York: Viking Compass.
Kirsch, J. (2004). God against the gods: The history of the war between monotheism and polytheism (p. 16). New York: Viking Compass.
4 Heimskringla:
The Saga of Haakon the Good. Cha. 17-18
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