Questions for Greek pagans:

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KingJohn

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Do you believe Zeus and the Council of gods still exist til this day?

I found no thread to ask this question on, so here it t’is.
 
being new i may be confused here. what is “RC”? and how is it that you believe in the mythical greek gods? i am not trying to criticize; i just really want to know how you have that as an actual belief and what does that faith mean for you? especially in relation to christians.
 
donna369 said:
being new i may be confused here. what is “RC”? and how is it that you believe in the mythical greek gods? i am not trying to criticize; i just really want to know how you have that as an actual belief and what does that faith mean for you? especially in relation to christians.
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RC is Roman Catholic.
 
I myself regularly sacrifice a young nubile virgin to Zeus every solstice, it seems to work as I haven’t been hit by lightning so far! 😉
 
Spyral said:
I myself regularly sacrifice a young nubile virgin to Zeus every solstice, it seems to work as I haven’t been hit by lightning so far! 😉
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That seems oddly reminiscent of Tantalus. He wasn’t struck by lightning either…
 
KingJohn said:
Do you believe Zeus and the Council of gods still exist til this day?

I found no thread to ask this question on, so here it t’is.
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I don’t think I’ve seen any other Hellenists here, so I take it this is directed at me…

Yes, I do. 👍
 
Kallisto said:
I don’t think I’ve seen any other Hellenists here, so I take it this is directed at me…

Yes, I do. 👍
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Do you guys believe in any Neoplatonist dogmas? Do you read texts by ancient writers, like "On the God’s and the World?’

Just curious to see how faithful you try to be to “authentic Hellenistic religion” or do you think its impossible to reconstruct it completely?

Curious because I wrote a graduate paper on the Emperor Julian and his attempts at reviving Hellenism. It was interesting stuff.
 
Fairwinds said:
its totally authentic.
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Well considering that Hellenistic religion was a complicated and interweaving religion that had not been practiced on any large scale for many hundreds of years, I find simply stating, “its authentic” too simplistic. It should be remembered that Hellenism was a living religion and thus an evolving religion. It was not static.
 
ltwin said:
Well considering that Hellenistic religion was a complicated and interweaving religion that had not been practiced on any large scale for many hundreds of years, I find simply stating, “its authentic” too simplistic. It should be remembered that Hellenism was a living religion and thus an evolving religion. It was not static.
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I don’t question your authenticity of belief, why would you question mine?
 
Fairwinds said:
I don’t question your authenticity of belief, why would you question mine?
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I think you are using “authentic” in a different sense than I am using it. When I use “authentic”, its in the sense of:

Do modern Greek pagans as a whole or in part intentionally study the best available scholarship to recreate as near as possible the actual beliefs, moral outlook, and ritual practices of the ancient Greek religions;

OR

Do modern Greek pagans as a whole or in part seek to adapt the basic ideas of the ancient Greek religions to the values and way of life of modern society.

I was in no way questioning the sincerity of anyone’s beliefs.
 
Spyral said:
I myself regularly sacrifice a young nubile virgin to Zeus every solstice, it seems to work as I haven’t been hit by lightning so far! 😉
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We don’t get much lightning here in the UK, Spyral; lucky for you, eh? :rolleyes: 😉

The only human sacrifice ever needed was that of Jesus, a sacrifice that reunited God with man - a sacrifice from LOVE 👍

ps I think you may be mixing up Zeus with the Druidical gods of the early times [3,000BC] of Stonehenge, regarding your solstice observances. 😉 😃

‘Ask not where the lightning may striketh!’ :eek:
 
ltwin said:
Do you guys believe in any Neoplatonist dogmas? Do you read texts by ancient writers, like "On the God’s and the World?’

Just curious to see how faithful you try to be to “authentic Hellenistic religion” or do you think its impossible to reconstruct it completely?

Curious because I wrote a graduate paper on the Emperor Julian and his attempts at reviving Hellenism. It was interesting stuff.
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Sallustius’ is one of the various ancient sources that is commonly read. Modern Hellenic polytheism is part of a category of religions collectively known as Reconstructionism. While often lumped in with Neopaganism, the two are not quite the same thing. Reconstructionist paths endeavor to be authentic to ancient religious practice, as much as such a thing is possible. This differs from Neopagan practices which are mostly wholly modern creations that may be inspired by ancient practices and beliefs but are not reconstructions of those ancient religions, and commonly incorporate New Age and/or Western esoteric practices as well. Reconstructionism relies greatly on primary (ancient) and secondary (scholarly) resources, Neopaganism emphasizes “UPG” (Unverified Personal Gnosis) supplemented with the research of the person’s choosing. Reconstructionists also tend to reject the label “pagan” as such was a derogatory label imposed by outsiders upon those who maintained the ancient ways.

Technically the word “Hellenismos” is a general term for “Greekness” of which the religion is a part. While “Hellenismos” is the general term by which modern Hellenic polytheists often collectively go by, one will find variations. Most practice what can be more precisely referred to as Olympianism or Dodekatheism of the Classical Greco-Roman world (and these terms are also used), a smaller number practice Orphism.

We can reconstruct a great deal as there is much that has survived and been documented and researched, in both ancient and modern times.
 
ltwin said:
I think you are using “authentic” in a different sense than I am using it. When I use “authentic”, its in the sense of:

Do modern Greek pagans as a whole or in part intentionally study the best available scholarship to recreate as near as possible the actual beliefs, moral outlook, and ritual practices of the ancient Greek religions;

OR

Do modern Greek pagans as a whole or in part seek to adapt the basic ideas of the ancient Greek religions to the values and way of life of modern society.

I was in no way questioning the sincerity of anyone’s beliefs.
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just like we’ve always done.
 
Kallisto said:
Isn’t that like me asking you if you’ve talked to your god? 😉

Please explain what you mean by " evil/bad spirits"?
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Negative life forces. Spirits/energy forces that seek to wreak havoc upon people.

Also, where does Zeus stand on poverty, famine, etc…?

Also, I heard this rumor…Is it true that Greek Pagans believe Jesus went up to Mount Olympus and slayed the entire Council of gods…?
 
KingJohn said:
Negative life forces. Spirits/energy forces that seek to wreak havoc upon people.

Also, where does Zeus stand on poverty, famine, etc…?
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Zeus is in favor of them.
KingJohn said:
Also, I heard this rumor…Is it true that Greek Pagans believe Jesus went up to Mount Olympus and slayed the entire Council of gods…?
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definitely false, slanderous. that sounds cartoonish.
 
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