In recent days, there was posted a public letter addressed to me, which I had responded. This post was titled as “A Public Letter to Tim Alexander.” Therefore, I feel it is my privilege to repost that letter here, verbatim, along with my response.

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Dear Tim,

I would like to introduce myself by stating that my first encounter with your name was your book “Hellenismos Today.” I thought it was a fine introduction to our religion. I have recommended the book and have even adopted some of your ideas. I view myself as a reconstructionist. I use the term “gently reconstructionist” as my approach is not as hard-line as many. Why is this so? It is because I have tremendous faith in our Gods.Like you, I have found the Neo-Pagan connection that many view as obvious, rather alarming. I actually felt this way from the very start of my conversion to Hellenismos. Strangely enough, I credit much of this perception to my involvement in buddhism of thirty years. In buddhism, I learned of a concept known as spiritual materialism. The idea of spiritual materialism is that you can use spiritual ideas and practices in a way that is completely contrary to true spirituality. Personally, I believe that what you see as not truly Hellenic, is what buddhists would call spiritual materialism. The fact that you see a problem with this is an idea that I hold in common with you.I would propose, oddly enough, an idea that again comes from my experience in buddhism. My teacher, a brilliant man, said “I do not care what you believe, just do the practice.” This was in the 1970’s. At that time, we were a bunch of “love-and-light” hippies. By the time he was through with us, we were quite true to genuine buddhism, wearing suits-and-ties, and very happy. Our teacher had absolute faith in the truth of what he was teaching us. That reality changed us. In other words, he had faith that when we saw the truth of what he taught us, that it would, of its own accord, change us. And it did.

In a similar fashion, I have great faith in our Gods and our religion. I believe that many of the beliefs of some who follow us, beliefs such as Wicca, New Age religion etc., are not genuine to our religion. But I am not overly concerned. Why? Because I truly believe that we are being guided by Zeus and all the Olympian Gods. Also, I believe that their concept of time is quite different than ours: they have time and they have patience. I also believe in the power of reason and dignity. True Hellenic religion will eventually prevail. Why do I believe this? Because I truly believe in the Gods and that they are the very epitome of truth itself.

I also believe that I, myself, am quite incomplete in my knowledge and understanding. Therefore, I am not in any way in a position to judge anyone in concerns their beliefs. Thus, all I can proclaim is what I personally believe. I have no choice but to admit that it is merely my belief, based on personal experience compounded with what I have read and what I have been taught. But not being a God, and not being enlightened, I cannot claim to be faultless in my belief. Therefore, when individuals claim things that I find not plausible, all I can truly say is that I do not believe it. But belief is not absolute.

I hope these thoughts are helpful. When I read your book, I thought that you were sincere and making an effort to be true to our religion. So, you could say, that I have put a certain amount of trust in you, and admiration. But perhaps you are getting overly concerned about a matter that the Gods have means of their own to rectify. I feel quite convinced that most people concerned are sincere people, and that, given the opportunity to truly understand, would do the will of the Gods. With this view, I find it difficult to put a line between various factions. My approach is to simply state what I truly believe to be Hellenic practice, but since my understanding is necessarily incomplete, I cannot insist on my view over others.

Again, I hope these thoughts are helpful and inspiring and please the all the Gods.

Jim Kollens, Apollo’s friend

My reply:

Jim,
 
All things considered, I would recommend A Beginner’s Guide to Hellenismos and The Gods of Reason above Hellenismos Today.
 
Thank you for your letter. I appreciate your thoughts.
 
As I stated [previously], Hellenismos is more about correct action/practice (orthopraxy) than correct belief/teaching (orthodoxy). Your teacher’s position when he stated, “I do not care what you believe, just do the practice” holds true within the Hellenic tradition as well. Having said that, we have a responsibility not to leave “practice is more important than belief” hanging out their as a mere sound-bite. The obligations associated with correct practice are not mere beliefs, subject to intuition or feeling, and those obligations are not limited to correct ritual style. We are obligated to choose what is right based on logic and reason. We are to place character above words. We are to choose to speak the truth. We are obligated to teach.
 
When you say that I may be getting overly concerned about a matter that the Gods have means of their own to rectify,  how would you presume they would rectify it? Did the Gods handle the Christians when they came to desecrate the temples? Did the Gods strike down those who attacked the priests and philosophers? Is it so far fetched to believe the Gods could work by inspiring a person to speak out? Don’t get me wrong, I do think the Gods are taking care of business. In fact, I know they are, but the Gods cannot force people to interpret signs the way they were intended. As Sallustius stated, “…if the soul is often made to err by the body, that is not surprising. For the arts cannot perform their work when their instruments are spoilt.” It is a message reiterated from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. The issue is not saving these people from themselves, it is making sure that people who come to Hellenismos do not get sidetracked by damaged people.
 
You have shared one of your lessons, please let me share one from an early spiritual teacher of mine. “You do not have to water-down your beliefs to appreciate the beliefs of others.” I agree with having our doors open to people of other religions. I understand the need for interfaith dialog, but if a group or organization wants to identify as Hellenic then it must be Hellenic despite who they allow to participate. I believe the initial intention may have been good in most cases, but generally the final choice was to do what was most agreeable rather than what was best. I believe many of the members involved in these groups had/have good intentions, I also believe that there those who have taken advantage of those good intentions to peddle their snake-oil with a Hellenic label. That simply is unacceptable.
 
The Gods help those who help themselves can be said to be a true statement within the Hellenic tradition. We have a responsibility to do good, but also to avoid associating with those who intentionally do wrong. We are to be open to listening to everyone, but we must also fear deceit. We are expected to judge, to be on our guard, to act, and to speak plainly and truthfully. Those organizations that have moved from being truly Hellenic should honestly represent themselves, and if they are unwilling, we have a responsibility to call them on it. In addition, those individuals who intentionally deceive need to be called on the carpet. I believe our Gods expect us to do, not just stand idly by as one young person after another gets sucked into deception. Our ethical system is not a list of “do not’s”, but is one of action. When we allow wrong doing to occur, we are morally culpable.
 
In the Gods,
Tim

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**For those interested in reading the full discussion, please join or visit the Hellenic_Recons Yahoo Group.

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Tags: Ancient Greece, Ancient Greek religion, Hellenic community, Hellenic Polytheism, hellenic reconstructionism, Hellenic religion, Hellenismos, Neopagans, orthopraxy, Reconstructionism, Timothy Jay Alexander, tradition