First published on hellenismos.org on May 15, 2021.
I used some
quotes from this video I discovered today on Youtube to create a kind of
fictitious dialogue between a pagan and a Hellene. I just wanted to respond to
some of the claims in the video and thought this «dialogue» would serve my aims
admirably. I'm gonna link the video at the end of the article.
PAGAN: Hi, I am a Hellenic polytheist and
I want to talk with you about my religion.
HELLENE: Hi, I am a Hellene. Please tell me
more about you religion.
PAGAN: Okay. My religion is called
Hellenism or Hellenic Polytheism. I use both terms interchangeably because they
are largely the same thing. Hellenic Polytheism is a religion based on ancient
Greek religion. (4:28)
HELLENE: If it is based on ancient Greek
religion, it cannot be Hellenism and therefore, according to your own
understanding of these terms, not Hellenic. But good to know. Now I have more
reasons to not use the term «Hellenic Polytheism.» But please continue.
PAGAN: As I said, I am a Hellenic
polytheist. But I also practice modern Witchcraft. (21:12)
HELLENE: Modern «Witchcraft»? That does not
sound very Hellenic...
PAGAN: A lot of people came into Hellenism
through modern witchcraft. Magic is a hotly debated topic in our community.
(18:45)
HELLENE: Well, in the Hellenic community
it's not a topic at all. I mean, there is literally no such topic in Hellenism.
Modern day Hellenes are not very superstition-friendly, to put it mildly. A lot
of us were raised in a Christian home and discovered our ancestral ways during
adolescence, so I guess we are «once bitten, twice shy» when it comes to
superstition. The one time I remember this subject coming up was when some
magician practiced goetia or black magic, as you would call it, to kill
Vlassis G. Rassias. He produced a katadesmos (curse tablet) with, hmmh,
I think with the names of some chthonic gods on it. Anyway, in the end he threw
it in Vlassis' garden, if I remember correctly. Vlassis laughed about that
superstitious mind and said something like: «The gods despise magicians anyway,
so who cares...»
PAGAN: Well, I think that magic is
compatible with Hellenic polytheism. The ancient Hellenes did magic ... it did
happen, we do have evidence of it ... (18:45)
HELLENE: Yes, people in Greece practiced
magic. Just like they practiced murder, war and other things that are not
necessarily relevant to eusebeia. Just look on how the Greeks viewed «Witches,»
namely as dangerous or disgusting or both. It kinda looks that Hellenes and
pagans have a totally different understanding of «magic.»
PAGAN: There are various opinions about
magic in Hellenic polytheism. Not all Hellenic polytheists are the same. Some
are reconstructionists, others are revivalists. Reconstructionism is all about
historical accuracy while Revivalists are more the creative type of people
(20:25). I myself am a revivalist and practice some festivals of the Wiccan
wheel of the year. (21:12)
HELLENE: Reconstructionism. Revivalism.
Wicca. Witchcraft. What does all of this have to do with Hellenism? Would it
not be more accurate to call your religion «Neopagan Polytheism» or
«Hellenistic Neopaganism»?
PAGAN: A lot of times people think that the
adjective form of Hellenism is «Hellenistic.» It's not. The adjective form is
«Hellenic.» «Hellenistic» specifically refers to a time period between the
death of Alexander the Great and the rise of the Roman empire. (3:40)
HELLENE: That's my point, I mean if you don't
practice Hellenic religion, what's the point of calling your religion «Hellenic
Polytheism»?
PAGAN: Well, let's make it clear,
Hellenism is not a monolith. Say it with me: Hellenism is not a monolith.
Ancient Greece was not a monolith. (5:06)
HELLENE: I agree. That's why I found
paganism's obsession with ancient «this» or ancient «that» very odd. But I
guess, if you have no access to Plethon, Marullus, the later Demeter Cult, our
lore and customs, you can only turn to the published past of Hellenism. I am
beginning to think that it's fortunate that many Greek sources have not been
translated to English.
PAGAN: Religions change over time.
Ultimately, it is up to you to create a practice that works for you. A 100%
accuracy is impossible. But I think a 100% accuracy is not such a good thing
because then you gonna get weird things like sexism and animal sacrifice.
(24:20)
HELLENE: I think the line between
«reconstructionism,» as you call it, and reenactment is very subtle.
«Revivalism,» on the other hand, appears to me as «do what you want, call it
what you want, but try also to take into account the general historical
context.» Both lack authenticity, in my view. «Reconstructionism» has its focus
on aspects of the past; «Revivalism» seems to be arbitrary and doesn't take
into account the cultural imagination. For example, you called animal
sacrifices «weird.» Perhaps they do appear «weird» to people who are not
members of Hellenism, who don't know the internal perspective, but Hellenes
know the meaning behind the sacrifices. Today, animal sacrifices are not
necessary and therefore not part of Hellenism. But this does only go for
present-time Hellenism. Who knows what the future brings? The world is changing
and so are people's needs. I also have to say, Hellenism has it's very unique
way to approach the past. We or some of us -I cannot speak for all Hellenes-
use the terms «revitalization» and «re-Indigenization.» «Reconstructionism» and
«revivalism» could not work for us, at least in my understanding. The result
would be a cliched photographic reproduction of an undefined past, and wouldn't
even work for all, since Hellenism is subject to local factors and other
specifics. Revitalization and re-Indigenization, on the other side, take into
account both the culture and the living presence. In my view that's the main
difference between Hellenism and paganism, resulting from their different
historical backgrounds.
PAGAN: Hellenism is a pagan path.
HELLENE: The Hellenism I know is certainly
not. We are not pagans, never were and never will be. Look, I don't know you,
your background, your needs. But I understand where you come from, I just
disagree with the labels you use and your opinion about my culture. I also
would like you to see and understand the Hellenic perspective. Perhaps one day
you will. It was a pleasure to meet you.
What is
Hellenic Polytheism? | Hellenism 101 by Fel the Blithe
