I recently wrote a blog talking about how our monotheistic conditioning creates a need for Americans to feel “special”, “called” or “working” for the Gods. There seems to be a desire for some of us to feel that we are on some sort of Spiritual Mission, or have some sort of Divine Calling. I have warned against this line of thinking.
I’d like to expand a little bit more on this.
I will admit freely that I have felt a “push” from the Gods. I believe that most of us that are coming to recognize the Gods have felt this “push.” At the same time, I don’t believe that it makes me special in any way.
Some that have felt this “push” have, through their own sense of overblown ego or hubris…have interpreted this to mean that they are some sort of prophet…and they waste no time posting the messages from the Gods, and contemplating how much their lives have to change in order to do “the Gods’ work”. Now they have gone so far as to ask for money “to continue this work.”
I am sorry, but this is not Hellenismos. These things are the castoffs of Christian conditioning.
Hellenismos has no prophets. It never has….and this posting of oracles from Dionysos or whatever God is suspect…and I urge those of you who are reading this to view these oracular messages with strong skepticism. I would further warn you to watch how you spend your money…and to be very careful to give money to those who ask for it “to do the Gods’ work”.
This idea of being broke because you are working so hard for the Gods is not a Hellenic Concept. “Cast off your belongings and follow Me” is a Christian Concept. Hellenismos has never been about letting other aspects of your life fall apart in order to serve the Gods. Anyone asking for money to continue to serve the Gods in this way is showing you that they are not in harmony with the Gods.
Hellenismos is about balance. Sacrificing your ability to earn money because you are doing the bidding of the Gods, again…is suspect. The Gods have never been about bankrupting us. The Gods have always been about sharing what we have with them, not going broke for them.
If someone finds themselves having to ask for money, then something is very wrong with some aspect of their lives….and this requires introspection to find out what is out of balance.
This idea that the Gods want people to give one person money to continue to spread their message sounds more like evangelical fundraising then it does pious service to the Gods. I urge all of you to think about that before you open your wallets.
There is a great danger of putting all your spiritual hope in one person. Hellenismos is about family, community, worship. It is not about giving your money to a “prophet” that has a connection to specific deities. I ask you to consider your own relationship with the gods, and work on that within your own family, your own community, your own life.
You need no intermediary to worship the Gods. You need no intermediary to build a relationship with the Gods. You need no intermediary to tell of your love for the Gods. You need no intermediary to give to a charity within your own community.
We have never been evangelicals. We have never had a need to convert, or spread the message of the Gods. This smacks of Christianity, and quite frankly, is offensive.
What we do have a responsibility to do is educate, repudiate that which is false, and teach those who wish to be taught correct worship and ethics.
Anything else needs to be looked at with skepticism.
Timothy Alexander
on Feb 10th, 2008
@ 6:05 pm:
I think this is a great post, and reminds me of one that I wrote not too long ago. I think it is very important to warn against the false oracles that seem to be popping up, with their hands out. Moreover, many people seem blind to the fact that they are being taken advantage of.
SilverWolf
on Feb 10th, 2008
@ 9:30 pm:
Great post Twinkle. I agree that we should look skeptically at those who claim to post messages from Gods, whether for profit or not.
feli_valkyria
on Feb 13th, 2008
@ 5:54 pm:
This is why it’s good to have an Atheistic side, because then I’m quick to be skeptical of anyone proclaiming that they have messages from any god or gods, ;o).
But seriously, I agree with everyone that this is a good post!
Hector
on Mar 11th, 2008
@ 1:30 pm:
I wish I’d been able to say it this way.
I have always felt this way about people who feel the need to feel special or push that idea of their “specialness” for others to see. I have always seen that as partly a problem with our psychological need for acknowledgment, and have even fallen victim to it myself from time to time.
I recently received an e-mail from someone who was concerned that my “Meditations Blog” at my website was of this type of formulation, and I had to remind them that there is only one person I am seeking to better, one person I am seeking to change, and that is me. I share my meditations and such because maybe someone else might find it useful to meditate on the Gods, but I hardly expect anyone to see me as some kind of prophet. That would embarrass me.
I think that neo-pagans of all types have far too many people who are far too gullible in their midst. Too many superstitions, palm readers, and charlatans. For this reason I have always felt rather distanced from them as much as I have from the Christians.
Walk with the Gods, not under their heels!