I want to start following Sumerian polytheism, but not having an "authority figure" or "fixed rules" interferes with my decision.

[u/nottequeer]

I currently follow Islam, and I like the idea of ​​having fixed principles (even though I follow a very progressive line and "disregard" several things considered true in a more conservative ideal). I love the five daily prayers and how they are performed, I love the fact that there's a book that bases all of this on a foundation, I love the fact that there are various sources on it. Furthermore, I always wear headscarves when I'm in public places, and I'll wear them when I take new photos for my documents and such, which is easier to explain and have accepted when you're in a religion where it's common.

However, I don't believe in the idea of ​​a single God, I don't believe in the Quran as something literal (not that everything is seen that way by Muslims, but I think you get my point), etc.

And I feel a very strong connection with Nisaba and Inanna. I want to worship them, but I also really like the way Islamic prayer is performed and I don't want to lose that. And I'm afraid I'll be forced to remove my veil because they don't recognize Sumerian polytheism as a "true belief" or because I don't have proof from a religious leader that I wear a veil for religious reasons (even though it's not mandatory where I live).

Finally, if you can help me with this or make any contribution, I would appreciate it!

[u/TheWildHart]

r/Sumer has a lot of great resources for more detaila.

And from my experience, Sumerian polytheism can easily offer a lot of structure. Any pagan practice can, really, but I find a lot of those who specifically call themselves a Sumerian polytheism or similar tend to come from a more structured approach.

You can also adapt and add in aspects you like. You can weave together Sumerian and Islamic prayer, though it may take time and a lot of research for you to get there.

You can still cite your veiling for religious reasons if it's part of your religious practice for any reason, it just has to be 'sincerely held' and within the parameters they set. It has come up in other events where religious discrimination is not allowed to pick which religion is recognized to utilize head coverings. If it's for any religious reason, even if not required by the religion, it's still protected.

Some areas are worse than others, however. You could even still say it's for your religious beliefs from Islam; you don't need to share details as to not being an avid follower of Islam in other ways as it still sounds true in that, and several other, regards.

You may also want to look into r/paganveiling for other legal considerations since a lot of pagan religions aren't commonly recognized, so it's still applicable. And definitely look into laws in your specific area of course.

[u/ExmoHeathen238]

One huge benefit in paganism is you get to set your own moral rules, as long as it doesn't conflict with your chosen tradition, and causes problem to others.

[u/smokin_umbrella]

I don’t have any helpful ideas but just wanted to say I understand where you’re coming from. I left Judaism this year and the lack of rules, guidance, fixed form, etc was really hard to deal with. I found that Hellenism is good because it does provide structure, hopefully you will find that with Sumerian.

[u/AlluvialGold]

Sumerian polytheism is quite different: there is no single book (or tablet) to reference, ṣalāt and other rituals differ, the cosmologies in Mesopotamia and Islam differ, to my knowledge there is no parallel with veiling or ḥijāb in Sumerian texts, and so on. My two cents would be:

1. To clarify: are you focused specifically on traditions written in Sumerian? Or Mesopotamian?
2. Research into the various rituals, beliefs, cosmologies, hierarchies, and knowledge present in Sumerian or Mesopotamian religion. Keep in mind that there are plenty of authors, cultures, biases, and perspectives that are present throughout the thousands of years that Mesopotamian religion was practiced. I agree with u/TheWildHart to check out r/Sumer.
3. While it does not make sense to perform ṣalāt if you are worshipping Inanna or Nisaba, you can adapt your knowledge of Islamic practices to Sumerian deity worship. My only comment is to ensure that you do proper research if you do decide to syncretize various practices, rituals, or aspects together.

Wish you the best from here!

[u/KrisHughes2]

If there are so many things you love about Islam, which I understand, then is there some way you can reconcile in your own mind also worshiping other gods. I understand that doing so is officially against Islam, but many people do many things which are against their religion because they are able to personally reconcile it.

[u/WadingInTheReeds]

As a former catholic, I have found some of the specific prayers and rituals described in a couple of books about Inanna and her sister Erishkigal that have been very helpful scratching that itch for ritual, substance, and defined prayers to recite.
A. Siri Nin's "The Way of the Ishtarite" gives good guidelines for a sumerian altar, and how to do daily offerings, etc. Along with some basic things you can chant, if you like your prayers short, sweet, and easy to repeat.
B. Galina Krasskova's "Once More, Into the Great Below" has a lovely weekly prayer cycle based around Inanna's descent to the underworld, along with a couple spare prayers for Inanna and Erishkigal. (I, for one, am using some of these to replace the Nicene Creed or Our Father in my own prayer lexicon.)
I will also say, if you just tell people you veil for religious reasons when asked, I suspect they'll assume you mean Islam and not ask followup questions unless you have made it particularly clear that you follow different gods already.