Editing Modern paganism (section)

===Polytheism===
One principle of the pagan movement is [[polytheism]], the belief in and veneration of multiple gods or goddesses.{{Sfn|Adler|2006|p=22}}{{Sfn|Harvey|2007|p=1}}
Within the pagan movement, there can be found many deities, both male and female, who have various associations and embody forces of nature, aspects of culture, and facets of human psychology.{{sfn|Strmiska|2005|p=35}} These deities are typically depicted in human form, and are viewed as having human faults.{{sfn|Strmiska|2005|p=35}} They are therefore not seen as perfect, but rather are venerated as being wise and powerful.{{sfn|Strmiska|2005|p=36}} Pagans feel that this understanding of the gods reflected the dynamics of life on Earth, allowing for the expression of humour.{{sfn|Strmiska|2005|p=36}}

One view in the pagan community is that these polytheistic deities are not viewed as literal entities, but as [[Jungian archetypes]] or other psychological constructs that exist in the human psyche.{{sfnm|1a1=Strmiska|1y=2005|1p=36|2a1=Adler|2y=2006|2p=29}} Others adopt the belief that the deities have both a psychological and external existence.{{sfn|Strmiska|2005|p=37}} Many pagans believe adoption of a polytheistic world-view would be beneficial for western society – replacing the dominant [[monotheism]] they see as innately repressive.{{Sfn|Adler|2006|pp=26–28}} In fact, many [[Modern paganism in the United States|American modern pagans]] first came to their adopted faiths because it allowed a greater freedom, diversity, and tolerance of worship among the community.{{sfn|Adler|2006|pp=31–32}} This [[Religious pluralism|pluralistic]] perspective has helped the varied factions of modern paganism exist in relative harmony.{{Sfn|Adler|2006|p=23}} Most pagans adopt an ethos of "[[unity in diversity]]" regarding their religious beliefs.{{Sfn|Carpenter|1996|p=61}}

The inclusion of female deities is one facet that distinguishes pagan religions from most of their Abrahamic counterparts.{{sfn|Strmiska|2005|p=37}}
In Wicca, male and female deities are typically balanced out in a form of [[Dualistic cosmology|duotheism]].{{sfn|Strmiska|2005|p=37}} Among many pagans, there is a strong desire to incorporate the female aspects of the divine in their worship and within their lives, which can partially explain the attitude which sometimes manifests as the [[sacred feminine|veneration of women]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Clifton |first=Chas S. |date=Fall 1988 |title=A Goddess Arrives: The Novels of Dion Fortune and the Development of Gardnerian Witchcraft |magazine=Gnosis |volume=9 |pages=20–28}}</ref>

There are exceptions to polytheism in paganism,{{sfn|Rountree|2015|p=20}} as seen for instance in the form of Ukrainian paganism promoted by [[Lev Sylenko]], which is devoted to a [[monotheism|monotheistic]] veneration of the god [[Dazhbog]].{{sfn|Rountree|2015|p=20}}  As noted above, pagans with naturalistic worldviews may not believe in or work with deities at all.

Pagan religions commonly exhibit a metaphysical concept of an underlying order that pervades the universe, such as the concept of ''[[harmonia (philosophy)|harmonia]]'' embraced by Hellenists and that of ''[[Wyrd]]'' found in Heathenry.{{sfn|Strmiska|2005|p=38}}