I literally just started to look at Celtic Reconstructionism (proper term?) and I saw that one of the general beliefs is sacrificing. This is not something I would consider as a part of my religious practice. Does this mean I am not able to be considered a celtic recon if I chose not to do this? Are there any other options? I need to clear this up before I move on
How well do you understand the word "sacrifice"? I mean no offense, but if it's enough to make you have problems with a religion, then I'd guess not very well. There's a common connotation to the word, but it's not its entire meaning.
"Sacrifice" comes from the Latin word "sacrare" and means "to make sacred or holy" To sacrifice is literally to separate something from the everyday world and give it to the gods or other beings of worship (ancestors, nature spirits etc)...so basically, "offering" and "sacrifice" are fairly synonymous.
If it's the idea of animal sacrifice which is so distateful, consider this: Do you eat meat? Animals killed in religious sacrifice are generally slaughtered in a way that is far more respectful and humane than the cow from which you get your average cheeseburger. Also, animals meant for sacrifice are also generally treated far better during their lives than most of the animals that give us the meat in the grocery store. Now, of course animal sacrifice is extremely rare, but it happens. I've never encountered a CR who's actually performed any such sacrifice. Though I've heard of it once or twice among Hellenic reconstructionists. Some people though, will buy meat from the grocery store or butcher and make sacrifice of that.
Speaking from a Hellenic perspective, Animal sacrifices were not part of the everyday religion, but took place as part of major festivals. The animal/s to be sacrificed would be given by wealthy members of the community. In many cases, the parts given to the gods were that which cannot be consumed by humans, and the rest was eaten by the people participating in the festival. It's very likely that many of the folks only ate meat at these festivals because they could not afford to at other times.
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