Sin and Guilt/Nature and Giving : Overcoming the Christian Culture

    

    
I think for many of us, Christianity is the common religious experience, especially if you grew up in America. And the hallmark of, especially evangelical Christianity, is sin and making sure that you don't sin. You probably have a sense that God is watching you, that he cares very deeply about sin and that in order to be "right" with him you need to stop sinning and turn away from it. 

    In this system of thought, there's sort of an "or else" that comes along with sin. If you offend God, it's not merely that you need to give offerings so that he will favor you, but if you remain in this state of offense, your soul in the afterlife could experience complete and total damnation. 

"The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect, over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked; his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; . . . Oh sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in." -Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God 

    For pagans, this reality looks different. The gods do not make these demands of us. There is no original sin to atone for. It's not that there isn't right or wrong or consequences for wrong actions. But wrong actions don't endanger you for eternity. We all end up in the same underworld regardless of our actions here. Offending the gods isn't a ticket to hell, but offending them may have consequences in this life. One shouldn't provoke, but it's because we want a favorable outcome, whether it be crops or livestock, in business or in our relationships with others etc. The Havamal says : 

With presents friends should please each other, With a shield or a costly coat:

Mutual giving makes for friendship

Blot 

    

    We connect to the gods in this mutual way of giving of our offerings. We expect favor in return, not on our knees but as part of nature with the gods. In essence, the world is home to us both. The gods, representations literal or archetypal of the forces of nature, more powerful than us, should be respected and worked with. I think that's what makes one pagan. A realization that one is a part of the natural world. Not over it, but part of it. And it's this being part of it that fosters a relationship of working together for the good. The gods aren't perfect like in other religions. They are flawed like us, but they are ancient and possess wisdom that can be seen all around us in nature if we choose to look and cooperate with it. We don't need forgiven for some original sin. We stand on our own two feet, sing praises and give offerings to the forces that are bigger than us and ask for their assistance. They may choose to give it, or not. 

    The gods don't expect perfection from us, but they do enjoy our offerings and prayers. Give generously to them and you never know what sort of gifts they will bestow in return.