I think you hit on the situation quite nicely here:
I am a guest in someone else's metaphorical house and that if I behave as a respectful and polite guest should, all will be well.
Though, I guess it's pretty much a literal and not a metaphorical house. :D I tend to bring a 'host gift' - say a little something thanking the deity in question for opening their space to me and sometimes dropping coin in the collections box. This doesn't strike me as disrespectful; rather it means I'm a good guest and sticking to my own spiritual principles by honoring the hospitality rules.
I also think that the Gods tend to get on better than there followers do. I do realize that this is has not always been the case, but I'm lucky in that Brigid is one of my Matrons and she has a clearly recorded good relationship with the Church. I tend to feel like a diplomat in someone else's court -internally, at least- when I go to services this days. But I do think there's a lot more leeway granted between pantheons than individual worshippers allow.
Something else that struck me here - the Gods are always with us - which includes other people's houses of worship.
I hear you on the praying for others piece too. I try to check before adding people to my prayers, but if I can't I believe that the intention pushes past any personal spiritual flavoring.
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Date: 2010-03-30 02:14 pm (UTC)I am a guest in someone else's metaphorical house and that if I behave as a respectful and polite guest should, all will be well.
Though, I guess it's pretty much a literal and not a metaphorical house. :D I tend to bring a 'host gift' - say a little something thanking the deity in question for opening their space to me and sometimes dropping coin in the collections box. This doesn't strike me as disrespectful; rather it means I'm a good guest and sticking to my own spiritual principles by honoring the hospitality rules.
I also think that the Gods tend to get on better than there followers do. I do realize that this is has not always been the case, but I'm lucky in that Brigid is one of my Matrons and she has a clearly recorded good relationship with the Church. I tend to feel like a diplomat in someone else's court -internally, at least- when I go to services this days. But I do think there's a lot more leeway granted between pantheons than individual worshippers allow.
Something else that struck me here - the Gods are always with us - which includes other people's houses of worship.
I hear you on the praying for others piece too. I try to check before adding people to my prayers, but if I can't I believe that the intention pushes past any personal spiritual flavoring.
/two cents