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People who interpret religion from a postmodern perspective may have an eclectic approach and draw from the values and beliefs of many different religions. Examples of the eclectic influences in Neopaganism that may be incorporated into a postmodern interpretation include Shintoism, Buddhism,Polynesian religions, Celtic Wicca, Dianic Wicca, Druidism and Eclectic Wicca. Postmodern Neopaganism reflects and incorporates a postmodern philosophical and metaphysical belief system that focuses on eclecticism, self-empowerment, self-actualization, Jungian archetypesand karma.
Influences
Postmodern Neopaganism is an outlook that is underpinned by the philosophy of postmodernism, which views realities as plural, diverse and relative. A postmodern approach to Neopaganism offers many different versions of truth and rejects the notion of a universal and singular version of reality. Postmodern Neopaganism avoids sharp classifications and mainstream metanarratives and instead focuses on pluralism, diversity and difference. Followers of this religious and philosophical path develop individual and eclectic beliefs systems, rituals and philosophies based on a multiplicity of different religious systems. Postmodern Neopaganism emphasises the key point that religious truth is highly individualistic, subjective and resides within the individual. This involves using the theories of postmodern philosophy to critically analyse, question, challenge, reclaim, transform and adapt a range of different ideas and practices and reinvent and reinterpret their religion and philosophy according to their own personal beliefs. According to postmodern theory, the individual's worldview is a central influence their approach to Postmodern Neopaganism.
Historical bias and versions of truth
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According to postmodern philosophy, history may be written by powerful groups in society, who may marginalise, silence or misrepresent other, less powerful or oppressed groups. Postmodernism is a philosophy that openly acknowledges and accepts that rituals, beliefs and practices are invented, transformed, created and reworked based on constantly shifting and changing realities, individual preference, myths, legends, archetypes, rituals and cultural values and beliefs. A postmodern approach to Neopaganism acknowledges that history is frequently represented in an inherently biased way , reinforcing the mainstream ideologies of those in power. Individuals who follow a postmodern approach may draw from the histories of various cultures to inform their religious beliefs - they may questions, challenge and critique representations of history based on the theories of postmodernism, which acknowledge that realities are diverse, subjective and depend on the individuals interests and interpretations.
Appeal to marginalised groups
Members of groups in society who face discrimination or who are marginalized, such as the Gay community or ethnic minority groups, may be drawn to postmodern religious thinking. For example, in Semitic Neopaganism, a postmodern approach to this tradition of Wicca may provide followers with the ability to challenge prevailing or mainstream versions of reality and truth. Minority groups throughout the world and the socially or economically disadvantaged are often drawn to follow a postmodern approach to religion because of the way that postmodern philosophy empowers the individual to challenge mainstream ideologies or dominant power structures. The Witches' Voice includes many contributions from members of the Wicca and Pagan community who express a postmodernist approach to Wicca.
Dominant religious discourses
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Postmodern neopaganism draws from a range of dominant religious discourses in modern society , for example Wicca, Buddhism, Shintoism, Hinduism, Druidism and New Age religious movements. Many of the New Age religious movements prevalent in modern society interpret religious outlooks from a postmodern perspective.
References
- Raphael, Melissa (April 1998) Goddess Religion, Postmodern Jewish Feminism, and the Complexity of Alternative Religious Identities Nova Religio, Vol. 1, No. 2, Pages 198–215 (abstract can be found at: Caliber: University of California Press)
- http://caliber.ucpress.net/doi/abs/10.1525/nr.1998.1.2.198 Raphael, Melissa (April 1998) Goddess Religion, Postmodern Jewish Feminism, and the Complexity of Alternative Religious Identities Nova Religio, Vol. 1, No. 2, Pages 198–215 (abstract can be found at: Caliber: University of California Press)
External links
- American Neopaganism - a journal of American Neopaganism