I have, in the past, described UPG (Unverified Personal Gnosis) as an essential aspect to religion as a whole, not just within Hellenismos. There are those who reject UPG as not being valid, especially within reconstructionist religions, but those people seem to forget that UPG is what called many of us to the Gods. It was UPG of the Gods’ will that we began to reconstruct the ancient Greek religion, and it is UPG that continues to motivate our actions.
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I participate in a Comparative Religion discussion group. Typically what happens is that a question is presented, and each person simply supplies a response from their religion’s perspective. There is an unwritten rule that no one’s religious opinion is debated, but questions can be asked for clarification or to get a larger perspective. This tends to workout well.

This weeks question was, “What does your religion classify as ‘doomsday’? How is the end brought about? Is there an end in your religion? What are your thoughts on YOUR religion’s definition?”

I thought this is interesting, so I’ll share my reply. You get the expanded version.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It starts by identifying Hellenismos as a Reconstructionist religion, which it is. There are some in the Hellenic community that would take umbrage with that, but this should not at all be controversial. Personally, I feel it is an accurate use of the term, as other authors before Mr. Alexander have the same definition, notably, Drew Campbell, author of Old Stones, New Temples.

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After reading Mr. Alexander’s first book, Hellenismos Today, and being very impressed, I was very happy to see a second book out so soon. I eagerly snatched it up, as this book was marketed as an intro to actual worship.

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I received The Gods of Reason, by Timothy Jay Alexander, because I was impressed with his previous books, Hellenismos Today, and A Beginner’s Guide to Hellenismos. I began reading this book with some unease, as I knew that it was a theological and philosophical discussion. I am not an intellectual or a scholar, so I was worried that this work would be over my head.

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If it is said, “Pegasus does not exist” what subject are we talking about?

George Bernard Shaw, the 1925 Nobel Prize for Literature, stated “We must always think about things, and we must think about things as they are, not as they are said to be.” For reasoned thought, there are three principles that must be accepted. Read the rest of this entry »