I have been reading liturature, websites and posts about Pantheism, and I have been thinking. Pantheism has a well defined creed, but I have yet to read of a ritual. Pantheism desperately needs a body of ritual if it is going to grow. If someone discovers Pantheism, they might say "I believe that. Thats what I am." But then what? They get on with their lives. Now look at Wicca. It is growing by leaps and bounds. It does not have much of a creed. Wiccans are even proud of the fact that Wiccans are not expected to believe anything in particular. But there are bookcases full of books on Wicca that are chock full of rituals that can be performed alone or in groups. People pick up Wiccan books and think "I want to DO that!" What does Pantheism have like that? Zilch! Every religion has rituals. If Pantheism is going to take off, it is going to have to offer something for Pantheists to do. Something that is emotionally satisfying, moving, and extraordinary. Something to look forward to.
This is what needs to be done: Pantheists have to compose rituals, or write poems, and post them. Maybe some songs too. Things that can be read aloud, or perhaps recited together. Tell us whats so great about the Sun. What does it do for us? The Moon? Has it got anything to do with tides? A solstice? Can we expect a change in the weather? Is the Sun setting in the same place it did before? A lake? What is water good for? How does it feel? Didn't our ancestors crawl out of it? Maybe we should dunk ourselves in it? Even Christians do that. Do we like plants? Maybe we should pass around a flower and smell it? Does that beat incense?
Start thinking and get writing! Pantheism depends on it!
This is what needs to be done: Pantheists have to compose rituals, or write poems, and post them. Maybe some songs too. Things that can be read aloud, or perhaps recited together. Tell us whats so great about the Sun. What does it do for us? The Moon? Has it got anything to do with tides? A solstice? Can we expect a change in the weather? Is the Sun setting in the same place it did before? A lake? What is water good for? How does it feel? Didn't our ancestors crawl out of it? Maybe we should dunk ourselves in it? Even Christians do that. Do we like plants? Maybe we should pass around a flower and smell it? Does that beat incense?
Start thinking and get writing! Pantheism depends on it!
