I have to make a public apology to Mano Madytinos. I, as many did who debate what is and is not authentically Hellenismos here in the English speaking world, misinterpreted some of the statement’s Mano made over the last few months.

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For those of you who are too young to get the pop-culture reference, 7•UP was at one time marketed as the “uncola,” and it would seem there are those who are marketing Hellenismos as the unreligion. What does it say when certain individuals and groups will not even say that something as basic and essential as sacrifices and offerings were/are fundamental practices?

We had been talking about the fundamentals of Hellenismos on the Olympianism Yahoo Group, and one person expressed strong criticisms of Reconstructionists and Ethnikoi, stating not only were the definitions we use too narrow, but just flat out wrong. While she had a lot of unsupported opinions about how wrong Reconstructionists and Ethnikoi were, she did not once offer any real alternative. She used a lot of flowery words, but avoided making any statement as to what she considered practicing Hellenismos.

It took some prodding, but she finally stated that the Hellenic religion is “undefined” because it had no “systematic religion”.  She was, to a point, correct in saying there was no “systematic religion”, but she takes that soundbite to an extreme, and represents it to mean there were absolutely no systems in place, there were no traditions and customs, there were no identifiable ethics. She is an example of a certain segment that promote the Hellenic religion as the unreligion.

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In his book A General Theory of Magic, pro-magic author Marcel Mauss dedicates a chapter completely to defining what is and is not magic. In his analysis he looks at the definitions used by various groups including academics, folklorists, the religious and others. He uses a scientific approach to systematically pick through ideas such as magic is any rite or remnants of any ancient cult, magic is anything society as a whole considers magical, magic is any ritual act that causes a “supernatural” outcome, and several other definitions argued by various individuals and groups. He also focuses on ritual, divination, sacrifice, vows, healing and so on to determine whether or not these acts are magic, separating the wheat from the chaff.

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First, before this discussion begins it must be noted that Hellenismos, as a religion, makes no statement to the validity of other religions and their practices. It also does not make a statement as to the validity of the beliefs and practices of the various Celebrants who may worship any or all of the Greek Gods in a non-traditional way. Hellenismos is the reconstruction of the traditional polytheistic religion of Greece. Those who practice this religion, and work for its restoration, are only making statements as they relate to Hellenismos. Therefore, those of you reading this who a Wiccan, Neodruid, Neopagan, or some other religion that may incorporate the worship of Greek Gods into your practice, the religious opinions expressed herein have nothing to do with you. If you want to find offense in them, look inside yourself as to why.

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…sacrifice to the deathless gods purely and cleanly, and burn rich meats also, and at other times propitiate them with libations and incense, both when you go to bed and when the holy light has come back, that they may be gracious to you in heart and spirit…” ~ Hesiod, Works and Days

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Because I am a regular schmo, and a Hellenic Reconstructionist, I decided I needed to delve more deeply into the philosophers, but develop a way to do so without my brain bleeding out of my nose.

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Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism (also Hellenic Reconstructionism) refers to various reconstructionist movements that attempt to revive ancient Greek religious practices, emerging since the 1990s. Since 1997 the movement in Greece has been institutionalized under the Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes. Polytheistic reconstructionism is not a religion itself, but is the methodology for re-establishing a historical polytheistic (or pre-Christian) religion in the modern world.

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Hellenismos.us provides this Hellenic Polytheism Digest to recognize the various conversations on the Internet regarding Hellenic Polytheism. This Hellenic Polytheism Digest serves as a monthly collection of articles, postings, and writings from blogs and forum conversations we found interesting during August 2008. There is no specific statement for or against any post or conversation listed. We simply feel each will be of interest and needs special attention.

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There has begun to emerge a few misconceptions, fallacies, and misbeliefs regarding Emperor Julian, Sallustius, and Hellenismos. These myths cannot be anything else but intentional fabrications and fakelore, and should be seen as nothing less than an attempt to acquire position, power, and prestige by trying to elevate their “opinions” above those of others, the ancients included. Why does this happen? Many naive, trusting people fall pray to these pseudo-intellectuals because they would much rather trust an instructor then do a little independent research.

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