Reddit reviews A World Full of Gods: An Inquiry into Polytheism

Make sure you develop a good bullshit detector, because unfortunately contemporary paganism is full of it. This is something that you'll develop as you study. If you're looking for a specific path, I would suggest visiting the various pagan subreddits for more specific info.

As far as a book that I would start with, try A World Full of Gods.

Here's the thing: everyone is flawed. Most likely, if we got to know all the authors we've ever read it's quite likely there would be something about at least some of them we personally wouldn't like or even approve of. Just like we pagans overall don't all agree on everything or even get along. Anyone who's ever been part of a group/coven/grove etc. or local community or just active in forums can attest to that.

Either someone knows what they're talking about or they don't, knowledge isn't based on personality or popularity.

Of course, read the book or not, do what works for you. If it's a book you think would be helpful, read it. If you have an issue with an author then borrow a copy from someone or a library or buy used.

Another book and author that might be of interest is "A World Full of Gods" by John Michael Greer.

Lucy, are you in the sky? (Sorry, I know you made this username because of the song, I had to, though.)

Also, How did you find this subreddit? Did you just type "/r/pagan" after "www.reddit.com", or did you search reddit for "pagan", or something else? I'm curious as to how people find this subreddit. :)

Seriously, though...

>My problem, however, is that my initial religious education of "one god" is pretty well ingrained. How would you suggest I get past this so that I can continue to grow spiritually?

While I come from what is often considered a reconstructionist tradition, I think the following things would be helpful even if you are not a reconstructionist:

1. Read about how ancient polytheistic societies practiced and thought. When you read, try to get into the shoes of those people. If you've ever read a good novel and gotten into the heads of the characters, that's that sort of thing I'm kinda pointing to.
   
   
2. Some sort of practice, especially devotional practice (i.e. worshiping a god,goddess,or gods), even if it's part of a broader set of practices that include magic, meditation, or whatnot. I find that practice, and keeping in mind what I've learned from doing #1 helps solidify what I've learned. They may also lead to religious experiences that will help you grow out of a monotheistic frame of mind.
   
   It's not enough to believe things, you have to do them, too. Or else it's easy to say you think one thing, but actually do another.
   
   For #1, I'd recommend three books off the top of my head to you:
   
   

1. "World Full of Gods: An Inquiry into Polytheism" by John Michael Greer
   
   
2. "The Deities Are Many: A Polytheistic Theology" by Jordan D. Paper and,
   
   
3. "God Against the Gods: The History of the War Between Monotheism and Polytheism" by Jonathan Kirsch.
   
   Since you're interested in Bast (sometimes called Bastet), I'd also suggest learning about ancient Egyptian culture and religion. Even if you never ever practice Kemeticism, I think it'd be a good place to start both unlearning monotheistic habits of thought and learning more polytheistic habits. And you'd get to learn more about Bast,to boot. But even if you don't do that, I suggest doing at least the first two things.
   
   If you can only borrow or find or buy one, I suggest one of the first two, but the third one is also good. The first two are written by polytheists, with Paper writing from his personal perspective, informed by Chinese religion and Native American religion, while Greer writes more generally. However, Kirsch's book is helpful, because it contrasts polytheism and monotheism side by side. Sometimes one can learn some what something is by learning what it is not.
   
   Sorry for the wall of text, I hope you find it helpful. It'll likely take a long time to unlearn what you've learned, but it's possible if you study and practice.

> Are there any arguments in support of polytheism? All the arguments I have encountered that support the existence of God have had a strictly monotheistic bias.

There is a very good and cheap book about this.

A World Full of Gods

Check out the book, A World Full of Gods: An Inquiry into Polytheism by John Michael Greer (available here on Amazon). I think it will address many of your concerns.

And when you come to a group of people asking of them genuine questions, try coming with respect and not this exceptionally dismissive tone.

Good luck in your search.