According to the SRD of 3.5, "Unlike arcane spells, divine spells draw power from a divine source. Clerics gain spell power from deities or from divine forces."
This is further explained in the Alpha 1 Release, "Each deity has a number of spheres of influence, ideals and concepts that they represent and champion. Their followers can draw upon these domains for additional powers and abilities. Each cleric chooses two of the
domains granted by their deity upon taking their first level."
I have a radical question: Why is it mechanically necessary to explain divine magic in terms of a polytheistic world view?
I ask this because of the roots of our modern concept of Fantasy. Both Beowulf and La Mort de Arthur were written from a Christian perspective. C.S. Lewis allowed his own Christianity to heavily influence the Narnia chronicals. J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Catholic and, to a less obvious degree, allowed his beliefs to shape his story telling (if you don't believe me, a friend of mine got his Masters of Theology by showing how much of the Old Testament shows up in Tolkien).
Given these roots, shouldn't there be a mechanical option for those who wish to honor these roots, or to reflect them in their games?
I realize that conceptually it is difficult to explain how God, given that He is good, would ever grant the Evil Domain to an evil cleric and allow this guy to go around using divine energies, power, etc. disobeying His commandments. Thus, there is the apparant need for divine powers that support such activities.
However, one of the most fundamental concepts of Christianity holds that the created world was called "very good" by God. Thus, when it comes to whether something in creation is good or evil, it doesn't matter WHAT something is, but rather how it is USED. Thus, no matter how difficult it may seem, it is possible to use the Evil Domain for good.
Keeping this concept in mind, isn't it possible to understand the ability to use divine magic as a gift from God to be used and developed in the same manner as, say, musical ability? The potential is there, but it still needs to be harnessed, and trained in order to take full advantage. This way, each character who has the ability to cast divine magic is completely free to use the gift in the manner in which she chooses (reflecting another Christian concept, free will).
Thus, it is theoretically possible for someone to be given the Evil Domain and through free will use it to obey God's commands.
So, in the name of universality and in honor of folks like Tolkien and Lewis, would it be possible for the Pathfinder guys to do a little editing and open the door to this kind of mechanic?