All I need say is this.
5E SCAG: "In the Forgotten Realms, MOST Paldins, like Clerics, are devoted to a deity". And the same section goes into how deities make devout Warriors into Paladins.
The quote from Ed Greenwood I posted on the last page is pretty clear cut in regards to this. People need to differentiate between rules of a game system and the actual lore of the settings in which that game system is used.
EDIT Added: +1 I agree. Read that post and actually saved contents locally for safekeeping in case I need to quote it :P. He created the Forgotten Realms setting, so as long as its in that setting, its clear cut absolutely. EDIT END:
If you take out lore (whatever setting your playing), the rules have no meaning, no substance, and no purpose Id argue, nor does the world your playing in nor your character. The two are wed and intertwined.
