Virtue: Piety

The Dedicant Handbook defines Piety as follows: “Correct observance of ritual and social traditions, the maintenance of the agreements (both personal and societal) we humans have with the Gods and Spirits. Keeping the Old Ways, through ceremony and duty.” Collins English Dictionary defines piety as, “strong religious belief, or behavior that is religious or morally correct.” These definitions clash a bit because ADF views piety as practice based on belief, whereas the dictionary definition emphases belief or behavior.

Exercise 1: Who and What Is Pious? Piety is often reflected in our history as well as our entertainment. Joan of Arc was considered pious because she devoted herself to religion after visions told her that her devotion would be the key to freeing France from English rule. She withstood harsh analysis by King Charles’ clergy who deemed her humble and reverent. Reverend Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary is extremely pious as demonstrated by her works and history. She is not only publicly spiritual but she works to bring understanding and acceptance of Paganism to the world.

Exercise 2: Examining Definitions: Piety should be an amalgamation of the definitions from the first paragraph. ADF recognizes piety by observances and duty but neglects belief as a component. To perform maintenance of long-historical ceremonies without believing in their value or need is irreverent. Belief by itself is not pious but neither is action without some basis of belief. The Collins definition also seems a bit self-righteous because the definition assumes one is “religious or morally correct.” These terms are highly relative in today’s human culture and are the cause of some strife between religions and beliefs. It’s better to correctly observe and maintain these traditions and agreements because they support one’s own path and religion.

Exercise 3: Seeking the Mythology and History: In looking into ancient history, Plato demonstrates piety without being overtly religious. He is able to take the beliefs and studies of the time and combine them with existing traditions to formulate clearer ethical and moral guidance. His philosophical focus was instrumental in formulating an advancing guideline for society and yet seemingly maintained traditional practices. John F Kennedy was also pious. He adhered to his Catholic beliefs and practices all while professing the exclusive separation of church and state. He continued his practice even though it could have cost him the election due to perceived religious influences.

Exercise 4: The Virtue and the Self: Seeking examples of piety in my own life is not easy as I have lived a life of transitions and changing beliefs. However, I stood fast in practice and belief during the fight to recognize the Wiccan belief symbol on the VA headstones in April 2007. I continued my spiritual practices in the face of growing criticism within the DoD, even working to reverse those incorrect stereotypes. There are also quite a few instances in which I believe I was impious in my life. Before undertaking the modern Pagan beliefs, I was a questioning rebel in traditional church culture. I intentionally broke practices and questioned beliefs as I sought to understand more sensible beliefs.

Exercise 5: Your Understanding of the Virtue: To me, piety is undoubtedly a virtue because a virtuous person seeks to understand and support traditions of belief. This does not prohibit the examination and study of those beliefs as long as proper observances are given. This is even more important for those seeking roles in Dumezil’s priestly class as an impious priest is not going to have any respect by others in the religion!  The openness in one’s practice and beliefs are a reflection of one’s piety, as long as they are done with respect and conviction in the practice being performed.

 Sites referenced

 https://www.adf.org/members/training/dp/dp-manual-web/index.html

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/piety

https://www.biography.com/people/joan-of-arc-9354756

https://www.circlesanctuary.org/index.php/organization/about-rev-selena-fox

https://www.iep.utm.edu/plato/