Richard Rorty’s explication of his concept of Romantic Polytheism as a new, secular-minded, American religion lays out the notion of the Democratic consensus as the ultimate good towards which the practice focuses.\u00a0 How might that play out in an actual ceremony that brings individuals together for a worship service that doesn’t require belief in a supernatural God?<\/p>\n
Drawing on Indo-European polytheist traditions (to the extent we know them), along with Shinto, the Japanese animist tradition that survives on a level of customary observances among people who self-describe as atheists,\u00a0there are some reasonable stages to a putative Romantic Polytheist ritual.<\/p>\n
–Assembling and preparing the participants.<\/p>\n
One necessary step is gathering attendees and shifting their attention from the mundane to the spiritual.\u00a0 Part of this is changing their perceptions of themselves.\u00a0 Shinto (along with other traditions) places great importance on purification before communing with the spirits.\u00a0 While this might seem close to an unwelcome introduction of the concept of “sin,” a useful metaphor from the tradition is “cleaning the dust off a mirror.”\u00a0 Washing–or at least aspersing–with spring water and offering the remainder as a gift to the Land seems a good first step.<\/p>\n
Focusing attention further with the clearcut signal of a bell or gong can be helpful.\u00a0 This could even be couched in the context of reference to the ringing of the Liberty Bell (if only it weren’t cracked!).\u00a0 Everyone’s focus goes to one action (the ringing), which signals the start of the ritual activity and can perhaps even serve to announce that all are gathered as free people and equals.<\/p>\n
The nature of the space used can have an influence on this dimension of the ceremony:\u00a0 In keeping with the overriding concern with an egalitarian sensibility, gathering in a circle around a central focus (a firepit or an altar) might be ideal.\u00a0 But space limitations might preclude this.\u00a0 A simple tool would be a “unity candle”–metaphorically, the “light of Reason” and practically, a strong visual focus point.<\/p>\n
–Establishing the occasion<\/p>\n
Rorty expounded on the notion of the poet as priest and the employment of literature in ritual.\u00a0 Suitable poems or excerpts from literature suitable to the occasion can be shared.<\/p>\n
However, more is necessary to lift the ceremony beyond the merely literary and into the spiritual.\u00a0 The sine qua non<\/em> of religion on a certain view is establishing a connection with the numinous.\u00a0 Inviting meditation on or contemplation of a suitable “higher power” is important from this perspective.\u00a0 Metaphoric beings (a la<\/em> Romantic verse) can be held up for this purpose:\u00a0 Liberty, Reason, Nature.\u00a0 (Indeed, I would personally argue for this particular trinity, embodied as Columbia, The Founders, and The Great Spirit or Manitou, as being a quintessential set of American Gods for this purpose.)<\/p>\n The use of homiletics–oration to provide context for the occasion–should not be overlooked.\u00a0 This can be by a ritual leader or attendees could be invited to share their thoughts (subject to light moderation, perhaps).<\/p>\n –Sharing hospitality<\/p>\n In both the ancient Indo-European and Shinto traditions, the main purpose of the ritual is typically the offering of a meal to the non-corporeal guest(s) of honor.\u00a0 A selection of food and\/or drink is often set forth and then becomes the basis for shared hospitality.\u00a0 In some traditions, a portion is burned or poured out\u00a0as the offering to the gods, ancestors, or spirits.\u00a0 Certainly appropriate food and or drink could be offering to the land and the wildlife in an outdoor setting (or set out after the conclusion of the ritual).\u00a0 In lieu of making a symbolic burnt offering of food\u00a0or libation of drink, incense could be lit from an altar candle, if one has been used, which has the advantage of being consumed by the transformative fire and also providing a pleasant fragrance to all attendees.<\/p>\n In Shinto ritual, distinctly Japanese offerings are usually brought forward:\u00a0 sake<\/em>, rice, and such.\u00a0 For an American ceremony of this sort, perhaps a similar custom can be established, with offerings like maize (or cornbread), cranberries, blueberries, walnuts, maple syrup, and cider.<\/p>\n As a last expression of unity, a song probably ought to be sung by the attendees.\u00a0 This could be something well known, secular, and American (“This Land is Your Land” comes to mind).<\/p>\n One last action (apart from making appropriate thanks) would be to mirror the beginning with the ending, using the same musical signal to end as was used to begin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Richard Rorty’s explication of his concept of Romantic Polytheism as a new, secular-minded, American religion lays out the notion of the Democratic consensus as the ultimate good towards which the practice focuses.\u00a0 How might that play out in an actual … Continue reading