Patriarchial vs. Matriarchial

[PrincessKLS]

I've read a lot about pagan paths being mostly matriarchial or nuetral and that's why some people choose it. So what's wrong with a Patriarchial path? And are there some patriarchial paths in paganism?

I personally see god as both male and female ( kind of transgendered) but I don't have a problem with a patriarchial god or messiah type.

[aluokaloo]

i think both are a nuisance because either can be used to oppress the other, and alot of pagan paths back in the day were very male-dominated. I'd prefer a neutral society, where gender roles are not hard defined and clear cut.

[PrincessKLS]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I don't see Jesus as god really but I do believe he was a man and nothing else (gender wise).

[aluokaloo]

the wonderful thing about deities just like people is there aren't really any gender defined types. we have war goddesses, and gentle healing gods, we have goddesses of the sun and gods of the moon, we have gods who can give birth and goddesses who want to nothing to do with sex and child birth.

[Theres]

i think that all paths are neutral in their purest form. it is only human politics and cultural bias that swings them toward one camp or the other.

to my mind there is nothing political about the gods, as they are far above that.
therefore to play into either 'matriarchal' or 'patriarchal' is to miss the point entirely and denegrate the gods into a mundane system that has little to do with spirituality or religion, and everything to do with power.
and homey don't play that.

[Son of Goddess]

In some Pagan paths there is a leaning on "matriarchal", but not all are this way. The most notable of the "matriarchal" paths is Wicca and Goddess Spirituality.

Being a "hard" polytheist, I don't identify with patriarchal or matriarchal or even neutral. The Gods just are. As Theres said, it is mankind who twists and turns these things to reflect their own personal biases and prejudices.

I have a very strong, spiritual relationship with my patron Goddess, Magna Mater, but that doesn't affect my views and thoughts on Jupiter or Mars. Each God has His and Her own place in the universe.

I also would say its an injustice to say that many ancient religions were "patriarchal". Just because the society is male-oriented does not at all mean that they automatically dismiss the Goddesses they worship. Vesta and Her priestesses were one of the most respected of female-dominated groups in Rome. The Magna Mater was revered as the Trojan Ancestor of Rome. In Athens, Athena was the most respected Goddess. In fact, Connelly's Portrait of a Priestess is the best current work on the status of Priestesses in ancient Greek religion and paints a picture that most would be surprised to read.

All this "matriarchal" and "patriarchal" stuff is hogwash and only reflects the limitations and vices that are held by various people these days.