Monotheism, Polytheism and Sexual Distinctions
One of the more intelligent Pagan leaders today has correctly identified a link between polytheism, and open sexuality with multiple partners. Though the practice of polyamory (establishing loving sexual relationships with more than one person) is not necessarily tied to being a polytheist Isaac Bonewitz astutely connects his polytheism to his polyamorous lifestyle.
As spiritual beings our worship, and the actions of our bodies are intimately tied together. The false dichotomy established by religious leaders of various traditions through the ages which separates our common actions from our spirituality has been a factor in creating the false belief that our sexuality is not part of our spiritual endeavors.
For the worshiper of God (or gods and goddesses) sexuality has the potential to become a model of the character of the one(s) we worship. For the Christian this is an important part of our daily ritual experience. How we live sexually models the life of the One we worship, and creates the dynamic of making us living witnesses.
To Isaac Bonewits (who I have not met yet), and some of the polyamorous Pagan leaders I have met over the last 10 years there is a connection between serving and loving many gods and goddesses, and sexually loving multiple partners. Their behavior in bed models their beliefs. Many gods = many loves.
To myself as a Christian I similarly model my worship experience. I believe there is One God, and He alone is to be served and loved as the Creator of all things, and as the Lover of my soul. My single-minded love toward Beverly (yep that's her with me near the water in Nahant in the above photo - ain't she cute!?) models my single minded love toward my One and Only God. I live out my spirituality through my monogamy. It becomes a picture of the love my God has for me, and the love I should likewise have for Him Who is my Only.
This makes my sexual choice a ritual enactment modeling the God I serve, and witnessing the truths I hold dear.
It is for this reason that sexuality is defined in strict terms by the Prophets, and the Torah. Polytheistic worship was identified as a form of adultery, and the stories and writings of Jeremiah, and Hosea most particularly connect the intimacy of worship with the intimacy of sexuality.
If I was a Polytheistic Pagan I would understand people choosing a polyamorous lifestyle, though I have a deep seated sense of romantic love which necessitates giving all to One, and I don't think polyamory would sit well in my soul. As a Christian who sees the world through the eyes of One God I see monogamy as the best, the healthiest, and the most romantic form of sexual expression, and living in it provides an daily window into the worldview I profess.
