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„СВЕВЛАД“ – www.svevlad.org.rs Milan Petrović, “Qualification of Slavic Rodnovery in scientific literature – neopaganism or ethnic ” Received: , 2013. Published: March, 2013.

Qualification of Slavic Rodnovery in scientific literature – neopaganism or

Milan Petrović

ABSTRACT: Practice so far has shown that Slavic Rodnovery is inadequately qualified and classified in scientific literature. Authors overlook basic rules of scientific method and arbitrarily qualify Slavic Rodnovery based on insufficient amount of data. This paper tries to point out some of the methodological problems in scientific literature on Slavic Rodnovery and propose steps that would lead to solving those problems. Through considering publications on Slavic Rodnovery of number of authors it has been shown that it is inadequate to qualify Slavic Rodnovery with terms that are ambiguous and poorly defined. Emphasis of the paper is on terminological lacking of scientific literature. Slavic Rodnovery became rather convenient topic to make a career by writing papers that are borderline sensationalism, with no field work and by using outdated data or by fabricating data, without any consequences. Removing terminological lackings would solve these and other problems of scientific literature on Slavic Rodnovery. Paper suggests simple and purposeful solution for mentioned problems.

Key words: Slavic Rodnovery, , neopaganism, contemporary paganism, , ethnic religion, native , , heathenism

 Corresponding author: [email protected] „СВЕВЛАД“ – www.svevlad.org.rs

2. Paganism and synonyms – 1. Introduction designation or derogatoriness?

The goal of every scientific work, Paganism from pagus, pagani whether it’s an article, study or book is to (country estate, peasant, country dweller) present to reader (who might be an expert is a term that was used before emergence in the field of the work in question or of . The term was used to layman, that wants to get a closer view on designate those peasants that haven’t the field) results of research, experiment, served in Roman military. This was the synthesis or analysis in objective, clear and meaning of the term pagan from II-I unambiguous manner, while informing (or century BCE until first half of the IV at least it should ) the reader about century CE, when Christianity, which limitations and flaws od given work. spread primarily in centers of financial and In domestic (Serbian) scientific political power, i.e. cities, becomes literature term neopaganism is used for recognized religion in . Slavic Rodnovery, by default, as a Since, as a rule, country qualification, and often as a name.[1] remained loyal to their ancestral beliefs, Situation is similar in literature in other term formerly used for country dwellers, became (in texts of Christian authors) (Russian,[2],[3],[4],[5],[6], Slovenian,[7] designation for other than etc.) Christianity. Term is primarily used in In literature in English situation is even Germanic and Romanic languages. more drastic – while, on one hand, it is However, there is as many definitions discouraged to use term such as of the term “paganism” as there are neopaganism and terms like modern authors – each has its own definition. paganism and contemporary paganism are Paganism can refer to polytheistic, ethnic more often used by the scientific that predate Christianity in those community, on the other hand some parts of and North that were authors insist on using Slavic under the rule of Roman Empire (Greek, Neopaganism as a synonym for Slavic Roman, Egyptian, etc.).[8] It can refer to Rodnovery. That leads to situation in all European polytheistic, ethnic religions which all kinds of and religions that that predate Christianity (Greek, Roman, have nothing to do with are lumped Germanic, Gallic, Slavic, Nordic, Prussian, into Slavic Rodnovery. Latvian, etc.). According to “Catholic Having in mind aforementioned goal, Encyclopedia” paganism is „all religions we will discuss if using terms like other than the true one revealed by , paganism, neopaganism, contemporary and, in a narrower sense, all except paganism and modern paganism in Christianity, , and scientific literature on Slavic Rodnovery is Mohammedanism. The term is also used as justified and what is more important – the equivalent of Polytheism“;[9] Oxford purposeful. We will try to investigate English Dictionary defines pagan as „a suitability of possible alternatives for those person holding religious beliefs other than terms, e.g. ethnic religion and native faith. those of the main religions; dated, Through analysis of the meaning of derogatory a non-Christian.“;[10] Merriam-Webster Dictionary of US definitions for those terms we will show a that designating Slavic Rodnovery as English defines pagan as „1: heathen; paganism, neopaganism or any of the especially: a follower of a polytheistic derived terms is not suitable for scientific literature. a To be explained later in the text. 2

Milan Petrović, “Qualification of Slavic Rodnovery in scientific literature – neopaganism or ethnic religion” religion (as in ) 2: one who etc., (when referring to an educated, white, has little or no religion and who delights male, heterosexual, non-Celtic European) in sensual pleasures and material goods: and “ignorant savage and/or pervert” an irreligious or hedonistic person“.[11] (when referring to everyone else on the In Qur’an pagans are adherents of Arab planet).“[14] Michael York understands ethnic religion, unlike “people of the term “paganism” as now extinct faith of Book” (Muslims, Christians and pre-Christian Europe, living native ).[12] “Lexicon of foreign words and religions, modern religions such as expressions” (in Serbian language) defines and and new religious paganism as “heathenism,b polytheism movements of contemporary (expression that emerged because paganism.[15] York views paganism as heathenism lasted longest in the sort of single, unified religion (religion villages)“.[13] Certain definitions of form which all other religion originated, paganism include or exclude Hinduism, including ), rather , , or some than umbrella term for multiple different other oriental religions. Some definitions religions. Aitamurto views paganism „as limit themselves on Europe, other on -base that celebrates Europe and , and some diversity and thus promotes ethnic include native religions of Africa. Some tolerance as well“.[16] Spasoje Vasiljevd definitions of paganism include only when writing on religion of Slavs uses polytheistic religions and some include term heathenism,e which is rather irreligious , etc. Isaac Bonewitsc interesting, since Vasiljev has a lot to say when defining paganism writes: „The early about and of Slavs.[17] Roman Christians used “pagan” to refer Bojan Jovanovićf (writing from the angle to everyone who preferred to pre- of Eastern Orthodox Christianity) points Christian , whom the Christians out that paganism is not definied well had decided were all “really” in enough, however he introduces the phrase disguise, based on the habit of rural folks “post-Christian paganism” (sr. holding on to their old faiths longer than постхришћанско паганство) thus city folks, as well as because the emphasizing the phenomena that, given polytheists were unwilling to enroll in “the appropriate circumstances, paganism Army of the .” Over the centuries, reoccurs among previously Christianized “pagan” became simply an insult, applied and that paganism has a to the monotheistic followers of by feature to occur discontinuously, even the Christians (and vice versa), and by the after the periods of repression.g Jovanović Protestants and Catholics towards each ties the meaning of the term paganism to other, as it gradually gained the connotation of “a false religion and its d Spasoje Vasiljev is Serbian historian and followers.” By the beginning of the mythologist that lived and worked in first half of twentieth century, the word’s primary XX century. His most famous work is “Slavic meanings became a blend of “atheist,” mythology” (sr. „Словенска митологија“) published in 1928. “agnostic,” “hedonist,” “religionless,” e In Serbian “незнабожачка вера” – faith that has no knowledge of the god, atheism. b In Serbian “незнабоштво” – faith that has no f Bojan Jovanović is Serbian anthropologist, poet knowledge of the god, atheism, lack of religion. and filmmaker. He works as a scientific adviser at c We are citing definitions of due to the Institute for Balkan Studies of Serbian unique academic title he had earned at Berkeley of Sciences and Arts. University and special knowledge he had to gather g It should be noted that Jovanović bravely took on in order to earn it. Also, he had direct contact with aspect of paganism rarely addressed in scientific adherents of polytheistic religions. Alltogether he is literature – feature of its discontinuous occurrence. probably most influential expert for making this This aspect is of great importance, among other type of definitions. things, for understanding term neopaganism.

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„СВЕВЛАД“ – www.svevlad.org.rs specific application, noticing that the term relative to the region and time period, and has different meanings depending on often relative to the religious affiliation of religion which it is applied to, as well as the author of the definition. We can notice that using the term from the Christianity’s that the term paganism, in a sense of point of view erases differences between determining ones denomination, was religions qualified as pagan.[18] originally defined from the viewpoint of Latin term “pagan” in Germanic one religion and its dogmatic religious languages corresponds to English heathen, teachings. In many cases paganism is heide, Dutch heiden, from Old defined as lack of religiosity – which, by English hæðen, Old Norse heiðinn, Old definition, disqualifies this term for High German heidan – from Goth haiþno, application in scientific literature of which might be translation of Latin . We shouldn’t neglect paganus as “country dweller”.h Definitions that term paganism often has pejorative of this term regularly include remark that it meaning. In science – where each is derogatory term, so Oxford English phenomenon ought to be approached Dictionary (British & World English) apart without prejudice with emphasis on the note that term is derogatory and objectivity – it is unacceptable to define explanation that pagan is “a person who one religion through dogmatic views of does not belong to a widely held religion another religion, which has of (especially one who is not a Christian, animosity and conflict with religion being Jew, or Muslim)” adds following: “a defined. Because of the said reasons, person regarded as lacking or ethnologists (and other experts from the moral principles”.[19] While Merriam- field of religious studies) avoid using term Webster Dictionary of US English paganism and its synonyms. Instead, they explains heathen as “strange, uncivilized” use more precise terms like polytheism, and as “1: an unconverted member of a totemism, , ethnic religion, etc. people or that does not (depending on religion in question). acknowledge the God of the ; 2: an uncivilized or irreligious person”.[20] We emphasize that this term is used as a 3. Neopaganism and relatives – synonym for “pagan”. you can’t please everyone In we have interesting situation where as the analog By adding prefix “neo-” (gr. νέος – for the term paganism russ. язычество, is new, young) to vaguely and imprecisely used, from Church Slavonic ıả – defined term paganism, term neopaganism people, kinsfolk, . This term was created – term even less defined and corresponds to Greek εθνοί and Latin even less precise than its predecessor. gentilis. Term is much more precise than Neopaganism was first used in 1868.i paganism, because it points to ethnic, folk Oxford English Dictionary (British & component of beliefs. World English) defines neopaganism as “a It’s easy to see that there is no clear modern religious movement which seeks to and unambiguous definition of the incorporate beliefs or practices from paganism (and its synonyms) and that traditions outside the main world meaning of the term varies quite a lot religions, especially those of pre-Christianj h It’s interesting that Jacob Grimm in „Deutsche Mythologie“ introduces the idea that heathen might i In a letter, concerning Hellenic revivalists, come from Armenian hethanos, derived from written by American philosopher and psychologist Greek έθνος (people, kin), thus via meaning , on April 5th 1868. making it closer to Russian язычество, than Latin j The term “pre-Christian” is also vaguely defined – paganus. it can mean before birth of Christ or before 4

Milan Petrović, “Qualification of Slavic Rodnovery in scientific literature – neopaganism or ethnic religion”

Europe and North America.”,[21] while in and Ukraine, while tendentiously Oxford English Dictionary (US English) lump under Slavic Rodnovery those adds following explanation: religious movements and groups that have “Neopaganism is a highly varied mixture no connection with it whatsoever, e.g. of ancient and modern elements, in which Ynglismm.[28] It’s not unusual that some (influenced by modern of the authors, that are especially critical ) often plays a major of Slavic Rodnovery, falsify data they role. Other influences include , present in their papers, e.g. Schnirelmann, magical and traditions, and radical so we have cases of making about feminist critiques of Christianity”.[22] Slavic Rodnovery among part of scientific Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines community.[29] It’s been shown that these neopagan as “a person who practices a authors deviate significantly from contemporary form of paganism (as scientific and is something to Wiccak)”.[23] “Lexicon of foreign words be taken into account when reviewing and and expressions” (in Serbian language) using definitions they provide. defines neopaganism as “heathenism,l In an effort to introduce some sense of effort to renew old heathen beliefs and to order in cacophony of existing definitions replace Christianity”.[24] of paganism and neopaganism, Isaac In literature in Russian language Bonewits introduced new terms: coined term неоязычество corresponds to Paleopaganism – “a general term for the neopaganism. Quite expectedly, this the original polytheistic, nature-centered term also has as many definitions as there faiths of tribal Europe, Africa, Asia, the are authors. Some of these definitions are Americas, Oceania and , when given by Victor A. Schnirelmann (Виктор they were (or in some rare cases, still are) А. Шнирельман) – „nationwide religion, practiced as intact systems. Of the artificially made by urban intelligentsia so-called “Great Religions of the World,” from fragments of ancient local beliefs and Hinduism (prior to the influx of Islam into customs in order to revive «national ), and Shinto, for example, »“;[25] Aleksey Gaydukoff fall under this category”, (Алексей Гайдуков) – „ of religious, Mesopaganism – “a general term for parareligious, political, historical and a variety of movements both organized and cultural associations and movements, led non-organized, started as attempts to by pre-Christian beliefs and cults, recreate, revive or continue what their and magical practice, interested in revival founders thought were the best aspects of and reconstruction“[26] and Alexander the Paleopagan ways of their ancestors (or Gurko (Александр Гурко) – „new predecessors), but which were heavily religions, constructed from polytheistic influenced (accidentally, deliberately beliefs, aimed at finding new ethnic identity and/or developing new ideological m Ynglism is new, eclectic religion created by system“.[27] It’s interesting to note that all Russian esotherist, ufologist and researcher of three authors view Slavic Rodnovery as Alexander Hinevich (Александр Юрьевич Хиневич). Full name of this religious religion created at the end of XX century group is “Ancient Russian Church of Orthodox Old Believers – Ynglings” (Древнерусская advancement of Christianity – which is category Инглиистическая Церковь Православных that is relative to period and location, i.e. it’s Староверов-Инглингов). This religious group is ambiguous and vague. infamous for extremist and racist incidents. k is a modern religion created in Great Literature that ynglists use is on the list of Britain at the half of XX century, based on beliefs extremist works in Russian Federation, and taken from European ethnic religions and modern Hinevich himself is convicted for “organizing and rituals. Usually it’s duotheistic. activities of extremist organization”. Name l In Serbian “незнабоштво” – faith that has no Ynglism is derived from the name of the oldest knowledge of the god, atheism, lack of religion. known Scandinavian dynasty – Ynglings.

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„СВЕВЛАД“ – www.svevlad.org.rs and/or involuntarily) by concepts and sexist, homophobic, etc. There are practices from the monotheistic, dualistic, hundreds of thousands of Neopagans or non-theistic of living and worshiping their today. , Judaism, Christianity, As “Neo-Paganism,” this term was Islam, or early Buddhism. Examples of popularized in the 1960’s and 1970’s by Mesopagan belief systems would include Oberon Zell, a founder of the Church of , Rosicrucianism, , All .n“[30] Notice that Bonewits , etc., as well as those forms of doesn’t show that he is aware of the Druidism influenced by those movements, existence of Slavic Rodnovery or the many Afro-Diasporatic faiths (such as restoration of pre-Christian religions of Voudoun, Santeria, Candomble, etc.), southeastern, central and . , several of Hinduism that It can be easily seen that (just as in have been influenced by Islam and case of paganism and its synonyms) there Christianity, Buddhism, is no single, clear and unambiguous ’s religion/ of definition of the term; instead every author , Odinism (some Norse gives its own definition in accordance with Paganism), most “Family Traditions” of knowledge, experience and affinities he or (those that aren’t completely she posses. Religious, ideological and fake), and most orthodox (aka “British political affiliation of the author often play Traditionalist”) denominations of Wicca.”. important role in formulation of the Bonewits also redefines term definition. We should point out that the Neopaganism – “general term for a former is applicable onto authors of every variety of movements both organized and denomination, including those members of (usually) nonorganized, started since 1960 academic community that are c.e. or so (though they had literary roots polytheists.[31] Therefore it’s going back to the mid-1800’s), as attempts understandable that in scientific literature to recreate, revive or continue what their term neopaganism is being avoided – founders thought were the best aspects of terms like contemporary the Paleopagan ways of their ancestors (or paganism[32],[33],[34],[35] and modern predecessors), blended with modern paganism[36],[37] are being used instead. humanistic, pluralist and inclusionary Notice that Michael Strmiska uses ideals, while consciously striving to paganism, neopaganism, contemporary eliminate as much as possible of the paganism and modern paganism traditional Western , dualism, sometimes simultaneously, as synonyms, and puritanism. The core Neopagan and other times as different categories[38] beliefs include a multiplicity of deities of (thus further contributing to existing all genders, a perception of those deities confusion), but when he writes about as both immanent and transcendent, a Slavic Rodnovery in Ukraine he commitment to environmental awareness, distinguishes between paganism and and a willingness to perform magical as native faith.[39] well as spiritual rituals to help both ourselves and others. Examples of Neopaganism would include the Church of

All Worlds, most heterodox Wiccan n traditions, Druidism as practiced by Ár is an eclectic religious group formed in 1962., in USA. It is in part nDraíocht Féin and the Henge of Keltria, inspired by a fictional religion of the same name in some Norse Paganism, and some modern the by Robert A. Heinlein. Group forms of Buddhism whose members refer acknowledges duotheism, faeries and the deities of to themselves as “Buddheo-Pagans.” many pantheons (but mainly focuses on deities Neopagan belief systems are not racist, from Greek ethnic religion). Official site of the group: http://www.caw.org/ 6

Milan Petrović, “Qualification of Slavic Rodnovery in scientific literature – neopaganism or ethnic religion”

4. Application of poorly defined specificities that are influenced by social, terms on Slavic Rodnovery – political, religious and historical circumstances. For instance in Belarus consequences and parallels support exists for preserving and development of and national Let us consider what happens when culture on the level of state institutions – some of the terms we’ve discussed or support that represents good foundation for some of the new terminological promotion of Slavic Rodnovery. In constructions like “Russian Rodnovery”, Slovenia documentaries with testimonies “Ukrainian Rodnovery” (and other similar of customs and rituals of Slavic ethnic phrases that exist solely in the works of religion are broadcasted via state television some authors) are applied on Slavic channels, while academic circles are very Rodnovery. interested in research of folklore and One of the consequences of Slavic ethnic religion. In other countries qualification of Slavic Rodnovery as there is no such support or state neopaganism is that future authors (and institutions are even pressured by laymen) approach it with prejudice as it’s Abrahamic religions resulting in Slavic new religion, emerged approximately at Rodnovery being harder to be expressed, time when its name was coinedo – end of scientific (and laymen) papers are of lower 1970’s and beginning of 1980’s.[40] quality and occasional unwanted Second consequence is grouping occurrences exists, e.g. certain authors Slavic Rodnovery with new religions, approaching Slavic Rodnovery with artificially created through eclectic dubious intentions and promoting their approach and in the of under the guise of Slavic movement. Rodnovery. Although these specificities As third consequence we can observe exist among different Slavic countries artificial division of Slavic Rodnovery into there is not enough justification to divide Russian Rodnovery, Ukrainian Rodnovery, Slavic Rodnovery into Bulgarian, Polish Rodnovery, Serbian Rodnovery, Croatian, Slovenian, Czech Rodnovery, etc. Altough such division doesn’t exist in etc. – it’s the same religion, albeit the field, it can be said that in each Slavic flavored with some local specificities, but country Slavic Rodnovery has certain nevertheless joint Slavic religion. Aitamurto is careful to avoid usage of the term “neopaganism” when she dwells o Clear example can be found in the papers of on Slavic Rodnovery, making first steps in Kaarina Aitamurto, where she cites Schnirelmann, proper direction,[41] however in one of thus (apart from copying Schnirelmann’s view that Slavic Rodnovery is created in 1970’s and 1980’s), her paper she uses terms “Rodnovery”, she propagates erroneous view that Ynglism is part “contemporary paganism” and “Russian of Slavic Rodnovery. Unfortunately, Aitamurto paganism”.[42] adopts Schnirelmann’s construction “Russian It might be interesting to point out that Rodnovery” and shows that she is unaware of the certain authors have no problem with fact that first association of Slavic Rodnovery in “Holy Circle of Worshippers of ” tossing Slavic Rodnovery into same group p (pol. Lechickie Koło Czcicieli Światowida) was with Wicca, O.T.O. and various other organized in 1921., while first association of Slavic synthetic religions emerged during XX Rodnovery in Ukraine “Native faith” (ukr. Рідна віра), was registered in 1934. by Dr Vladimir Shayan (Володимир Петрович Шаян). Said p O.T.O. ( or Order of the authors tend to omit historical and socio-political Temple of the East) is an international religious context, which clearly shows lack of conditions for organization founded at the beginning of the XX registering of associations and religious groups of century. It’s modeled after Freemasonry, while its Slavic Rodnovery, and for organized and public religious teachings are based on the works of activities of adherents of Slavic Rodnovery. Aleister Crowley grouped into Thelema.

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„СВЕВЛАД“ – www.svevlad.org.rs century, while at the same time they make asking himself where is the science in all artificial division of Slavic Rodnovery into that and how it is possible that such Russian Rodnovery, Ukrainian Rodnovery, amateurish, dilettante and pseudoscientific Polish Rodnovery, Serbian Rodnovery, approach is allowed to be propagated etc. and while at it they count as part of through peer reviewed journals and other Slavic Rodnovery (or regional Slavic academic publications. Said reader will, in Rodnoveries) denominations that are not disbelief, notice that although certain part of Slavic Rodnovery: RUNVira,q experts use data fabrication (e.g. such a Yagnovery, Ladovery, etc. Strmiska, for thing has been shown for Schnirelmann as instance, although makes clear distinction early as 1999.) their works are still cited as between adherents of RUNVira and main references on Slavic Rodnovery. adherents of Slavic (i.e. Ukrainian) Even laymen can understand that tendency Rodnovery at one point, nevertheless in to attribute to Slavic Rodnovery in Czech the very same text represents RUNVira as Republic, Poland, Serbia, etc. features of largest group of Slavic Rodnovery. Even if religious groups from Russia or Ukraine – we somehow allow to count RUNVira as religious groups that are not part of Slavic part of Slavic Rodnovery said might be Rodnovery – is pseudoscientific. true for USA or Canada (where RUNVira Unfortunately, such tendencies have has its base), but certainly isn’t true for become quite common in scientific Europe or Asia. Schnirelmann, without publications on Slavic Rodnovery. any ground, counts Ynglism as part of Note that very use of the term Slavic Rodnovery. Aitamurto adopts term “Rodnovery” without any designation “Rodnovery” to denote Slavic Rodnovery points to lack of understanding of the term in Russia, while observing Ynglism as its on behalf of the author. Rodnovery can be integral part,[43] but later she uses term literally translated into English as native Rodnovery to denote Slavic Rodnovery in faith, i.e. ethnic religion and it’s general (still regarding Ynglism as its determined by the people of group of part).[44] The end effect is that peoples in question. Apart from Slavic conclusions derived from “research” of Rodnovery, Rodnoveries of are people and Slavic Rodnovery in Russian Federation ethnic groups exist, e.g. Latvian are applied to Slavic Rodnovery in Rodnovery – lat. Dievturība. general, where “researched” groups are often not connected to Slavic Rodnovery Let us consider hypothetical situation (not to mention that communities, where we would apply aforementioned associations and organization of Slavic approach on religions that have most Rodnovery have publicly denounced adherents today. Ynglism[45],[46] and vice versa). Some If we were to apply aforementioned authors (particularly in the West) equate approach that a religion or denomination is terms “Slavic Rodnovery” and “Slavic determined by its name to, lets say Eastern Neopaganism”, thus equating culture, Orthodox Christianity (second largest tradition, customs and folklore of Slavic and denomination peoples and various chimeras made of with, by far, largest number of adherents fragments of different religions, esotery, among Slavs) we would found ourselves in ufology and pure fiction of certain the following situation. Although individuals. Reader that is acquainted with Orthodox Christianity has Apostolic situation in the field remains bewildered, succession,r which means that (at least in q RUNVira or Native Ukrainian National Faith r Apostolic succession is the method whereby the (ukr. Рідна Українська Національна Віра – ministry of the Christian Church is held to be РУНВіра) is monotheistic religion created in 1964. derived from the apostles by a continuous by Lev Sylenko (Лев Силенко) in USA. succession, which has usually been associated with 8

Milan Petrović, “Qualification of Slavic Rodnovery in scientific literature – neopaganism or ethnic religion” theory of Orthodox Christian theology) can trace its origin to the time of first apostles, the very name for Orthodox Christianity sr. православље is created during reforms of Patriarch of Moscow Nikon, between 1652. and 1654. Before that, Orthodox Christianity was know as sr. правоверје, so there are no written documents prior to second half of XVII century in which православље is Figure 2. Illustration showing prophet mentioned. Mohammed (on the right) preaching; taken from a medieval-era manuscript of the astronomical treatise “The Remaining Signs of Past Centuries” by the Persian scholar al-Biruni; collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris.[47]

If we were to apply principle of dividing Slavic Rodnovery into Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, etc. Rodnovery on Islam, we would found ourselves in the situation in which we should consider Figure 1. Menologium published in Kiev, in Turkish (or Turkic) Islam, Islam, 1714., in which instead of православље, term Egyptian Islam, Maghreb Islam, etc. правоверје is used. Notice that one of the alleged of Changing the term правоверје with Islam of ban on pictorial depiction of term православље lasted for almost next prophet Mohammed (due to which we witnessed number of violent protests, often 100 years (Figure 1). The term was introduced to Serbs after with tragic outcomes, in the last few Great Serb Migration of 1690., when years), is actually and obscure rule of a Russian redaction of Church Slavonic very specific branch of Islam – rule that language was introduced in liturgical use doesn’t exist in Turkic Islam, Persian of through Islam (Figure 2) or in Maghreb Islam books of the Russian Orthodox church.s (Figure 3).[48] According to previously explained principle (which is applied to Slavic If we would apply kind of measuring Rodnovery by number of authors in Slavic tape that used on Slavic Rodnovery on languages), one could claim that Orthodox Roman Catholicism (largest Christian Christianity was actually invented in later denomination), we would found ourselves half of XVII century, which is of course as in the situation in which we should absurd as claim that Slavic Rodnovery was consider Italian Roman Catholicism, created at the end of XX century. Yucatan Roman Catholicism, Irish Roman Catholicism, etc., in accordance with regional and ethnic specificities.

a claim that the succession is through a series of bishops. s In fear that without enough and textbooks to educate them, Serbs in Austro-Hungary might be converted to Roman Catholicism, Serbian Orthodox Church asked and received help from Russian Orthodox Church.

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„СВЕВЛАД“ – www.svevlad.org.rs

sensationalism, with no field work and by using outdated data or by fabricating data, without any consequences. Let us point out that using term neopaganism as a designation for Slavic Rodnovery doesn’t mean that author was driven by unscientific intention (ideological, religious or pseudoscientific), which can be illustrated by example of Piotr Wiench,[50] who dedicated a lot of time and field work investigating Slavic Figure 3 Hijra – Mohammed's Flight from Rodnovery, during which he interviewed Mecca in 622 AD; Algerian color postcard from the 1920s or '30s. Mohammed is the figure entering number of leaders in Slavic Rodnovery the cave.[49] community as well as people that are respected among adherents of Slavic We would have every right to point out the Rodnovery. However it’s hard not to of Immaculate Conception, that notice that every single author that was officially approved by Roman pope nurtures animosity towards Slavic t Pius IX in 1854. and acceptance of Rodnovery and writes about it through the u Theory of evolution from 1950. , to point prism of its own ideological and religious out that Roman Catholicism is new affiliations denotes Slavic Rodnovery as religion created in second half of XIX neopaganism, which can be clearly shown century and first half of XX century by by works of Schnirelmann and likes. reconstruction of older religions and Slavic Rodnovery hasn’t yet reached mixing of modern influences and teachings critical needed to force the change of This is just a miniscule sample of a the approach on behalf of part of academic long list of issues in Abrahamic religions – community and adhering to scientific issues that would suddenly become research. It’s most regrettable that part of problems if we are to apply same scientific community requires outside measuring tape that is used on Slavic pressure in order to do their work in Rodnovery in the papers of certain authors. compliance with scientific standards. However, said considerations are not done. The reason is that Abrahamic religions have large influence in society and therefore on academic community. On the other hand, Slavic Rodnovery is marginal religion with number of adherents in the region of statistical error and practically no influence on academic community. Therefore Slavic Rodnovery is rather convenient place to make a career by writing papers that are borderline

t „Ineffabilis Deus“ is Apostolic Constitution issued by Pope Pius IX on 8, 1854. http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius09/p9ineff.ht m u Papal encycle of Roman pope Pius XII, called „Humani generis“, issued on 12. 1950. http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius12/P12HUM AN.HTM 10

Milan Petrović, “Qualification of Slavic Rodnovery in scientific literature – neopaganism or ethnic religion”

5. Enough about the problems, specificities into extreme. With given let’s talk about solutions! working definition we immediately have two qualifications – polytheistic and ethnic religion. Practical application of given To an ordinary reader (and probably to working definition we can observe in an expert, also) phenomena that is quite activities of organizations that engage in common in scientific literature – an effort Slavic Rodnovery throughout Slavic to qualify Slavic Rodnovery before it is world, some of them being: defined - must seem very strange. It’s not center “Svevlad” (sr. информациони quite clear what scientific methodology центар „Свевлад“), Serbia;[51] has the approach in which phenomena is association “Old Believers” (sl. Združenje qualified before its definition has been “Staroverci”) ,Slovenia;[52] association made. A lot of problems and absurd “” (pol. Stowarzyszenie situations, that arisen from nonchalant “Żertwa”), Poland;[53] association “Holy approach to the basic procedure, which is grove of native faith”, (sk. “Svätoháj otherwise implied, would’ve been avoided Rodnej Viery”), Slovakia;[54] etc. if the Slavic Rodnovery was first properly Given working definition enables us to defined, and therefore understood what characterize those phenomena that were Slavic Rodnovery is. previously lumped together with Slavic So let us introduce a working Rodnovery, but are not Slavic Rodnovery, definition of Slavic Rodnovery, that might and thus stop the lack of application of be (and indeed should be) the very start – scientific methodology one can notice in Slavic Rodnovery is the restoration of scientific literature on Slavic Rodnovery. polytheistic, ethnic religion of Slavs, based on written, archaeological and ethnological sources and findings. With this definition there are two limitations or notes attached – one concerning time and one concerning space. These limitations ought to be at all times on mind of everyone that approach Slavic Rodnovery, whether if one is an adherent or not. Sources that Slavic Rodnovery is based upon cover relatively vast time period that stretches over several millennia. Therefore Slavic Rodnovery is not restoration of Slavic religion as it has existed at concrete point of time (e.g. in 626. or in 1168.), but rather a composite made by overlapping currently available data from different time periods. Second limitation is spatial, i.e. there exist certain differences and specificities between beliefs, customs and rituals of four groups of Slavic people. While these differences are acknowledged, in the total sum that is Slavic Rodnovery they are many times overwhelmed by similarities. However, they shouldn’t be forgotten. Some authors made those differences into focal points of their work, thus driving insignificant

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6. Conclusion Maauskx etc. and on ethnic religions as y well, like: Чимарий йӱла and others. We’ve shown that there is no In this paper we’ve dealt with justification for using term neopaganism suitability of presented terms in scientific (and its analog in Russian – literature. Whether and if will said terms неоязычество) when addressing Slavic be used in everyday speech, press releases Rodnovery, if the goal of scientific paper of some communities and organizations of is to convey results objectively, in clear Slavic Rodnovery (or other ethnic and unambiguous way. Using terms that religions), ideological, political or some have subjective definitions in scientific other sort of publications is not the topic of literature can be marked as . this paper. Therefore we have to emphasize the need Further research of Slavic Rodnovery to discourage further use of such terms in should provide systematization of scientific literature in order to respect movements connected with it and to scientific methodology. investigate their similarities and Qualification and classification of the differences, as well as degree of drift from phenomenon of interest is necessary, so the definition we’ve proposed (taking into it’s important to propose adequate account limitations we gave) and alternative for terms that we’ve seen are eventually provide better and more unfit for scientific purposes. As possible functional definition of Slavic Rodnovery. alternative one should take into consideration terms such following: ethnic religion, native faith, polytheism and other terms that are unambiguous and properly defined. We propose to qualify Slavic Rodnovery as polytheistic, ethnic religion of Slavs, and to consider branches and divisions of Slavic Rodnovery relative to previously given definition. In that way, numerous ambiguities and problems that were met by researchers of Slavic Rodnovery would be avoided as well as amateurish approach joined with use of terms that guarantee lack of unambiguity and clear conveying of ideas and findings to the reader. Same consideration should be applied on restorations of other ethnic religions: Dievturība, ,v Rāmawa,w

x Maausk is a Baltic ethnic religion, restoring the v Romuva is a Baltic ethnic religion, restoring the religious practices of the Estonian people before religious practices of the Lithuanian people before their . their Christianization. y Чимарий йӱла (Čimarij jüla) is the traditional w Rāmawa is a Baltic ethnic religion, restoring the ethnic religion of the people, a Volga Finnic religious practices of the Prussian people before based in the republic of , in their Christianization. Russian Federation. 12

Milan Petrović, “Qualification of Slavic Rodnovery in scientific literature – neopaganism or ethnic religion”

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