Well, I waved from outside the broom closet...

Every Monday through Thursday, there is a local call in radio during the noon hour called Hear/Say. Today, the hostess was interviewing the author Jonathan Kirsch, whose newest book is God Against the Gods. When he started talking about the Classical Pagan attitudes toward monotheism, and the fact that Pagans had/have the same morals, I was reminded of the fuller story of Jonah; and when she asked monotheists to call in to give their opinions, I decided to call in and give the polytheistic opinion... When screener took my call, and asked what my subject was, I said something about the interplay between Pagans and Jews in the story of Jonah.

She then told me I was third in line, and to please turn down my radio... I could hear the program through the phone. Meanwhile, I couldn't help wonder if any of my VeryChristian_[TM] neighbors were listening and my heart started pounding. I've never lied about my religion to anyone, but I haven't come right out and told anyone, either. A couple of neighbors have invited me to come with them to church on Sunday, and while I've thanked them for their generous offer of friendship, I've always declined. Now, I was planning to openly introduce myself as "one of those pagans," so... I don't think my neighbors are the type to listen to Public Radio, but if one of them happened to be at that time, they'd surely recognize my voice...

Anyway, it turned out that I was fifth in line, so I tried to do some grounding breathing as I listened to "True Believers" call in and insist there was only One Truth in the Universe. So, anyway, by the time they got to me, I'd forgotten some of the exact wording I wanted to use, and blathered on a bit too long recounting the details of the Jonah story (How it was the Pagans aboard the ship who discovered Jonah was disobeying his god, and through him overboard). The guest then pointed out that this was true, the Hebrews would still read that story as meaning that their god was the only one with true power.

I tried to interject with some "Yes... But..."s and point out that be that as it may, it still illustrated the fact that the Pagans weren't mad that Jonah worshipped a different god than they did, they were mad that he didn't even bother to honor his own god, and that gave a glimpse as to what the ancient Pagan morality was -- be true to your faith, whichever faith that is. But I never got that chance.

When he was quiet again, the hostess asked what being Neo-Pagan meant to me. At first, I thought she wanted me to define the term Neo-Paganism. After she said: "No, I mean what does it mean in your daily life -- what does a polytheist do?" I answered that when I meditate and pray, I hear many Divine voices, not just one -- that I am guided by a community of Divine beings.

And that ended it. She said "thank you" and moved on to the next caller.

A couple of calls later, someone pointed out that aren't monotheists actually in the minority? And the author/guest said yes, if you count heads (including all the people in India and historically polytheistic China ... and the Native Americans), but the monotheists have been very influential on the history of the world. Then he referred back to my call and pointed out that some people still see the world polytheistically, and that it arises as a spontaneous way of looking at the world, but we have to be taught to be monotheists.

So, I guess I made a point.... even if it wasn't the one I was planning to make.

:::Sigh::: You know, how after an argument, you think of all the things you could have said? I can't help thinking that I should have introduced myself to the screener as a modern Pagan, who'd like to talk about pagan morality. I might have been moved up the line as a call to spark more debate, rather than a geek who wants to talk about obscure details of a Biblical story. I could have mentioned the Jonah story after I got on the air, and gotten a chance to point out how it illustrates Pagan morality...

Oh, well... Such is life!