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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Recently, on a private forum, I made a statement regarding the lack of open-mindedness that generally existed in the Popular Neopagan Culture, and these comments were associated with a conversation about New Age Neopagan individuals and groups who identifying as Hellenismos. I quoted another person who states, “Open-minded people go out of their way to conform their beliefs to the evidence. Closed-minded people go out of their way to conform the evidence to their beliefs,” and used that to support the statement, “Reconstructionists go out of their way to conform their beliefs to the evidence. New Age Neopagans go out of their way to conform the evidence to their beliefs.”

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I would have never thought my short little ditty Hellenic Kindergarten would have created controversy, but it has. The storm stems from the phrase “repent of sins” being used and this caused a little uproar. First, some offence seems to have been taken because of the Christian connotation of the word. Second, the Greeks had no word that easily translates specifically to sin. I am amazed with all the people claiming to have read my books this debate did not surfaced sooner. I go into great detail about the Hellenic concept of “sin and salvation” within The Gods of Reason. In any event, let us address the issue more publicly, as I am sure there are those who may not be bold enough to ask.

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In the great debate over what is and is not Hellenismos there tends to be two great factions. On one side, there are the Reconstructionists who base their practice on a historic definition, insisting that the religion embody the character, thought, culture, and ethical system of ancient Greece. On the other side are those who wish to take a Neopagan approach, identifying Hellenismos loosely as the honoring/worshiping/using/working with of at least some Greek Gods in some way. This approach favors and accepts Neopagan ideas of eclecticism and very individualistic forms of practice based on unverified (and often unreasoned) personal gnosis, and are often dismissive and have an exclusionary attitude towards traditional principles and values. It is hubris.

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Hellenismos.us provides this Hellenic Polytheism Digest to recognize the various conversations on the Internet regarding Hellenismos and Hellenic Polytheism. The Hellenic Polytheism Digest serves as a monthly digest cataloging various blogs and forum conversations that we found interesting during May 2008. There is no specific statement for or against any post listed. We simply feel the essays and articles are of interest, and needing special attention.

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I think it is important to recognize the various conversations on the Internet regarding Hellenismos and Hellenic Polytheism. Therefore, I am gong to make an effort to create a a monthly digest cataloging various blogs that I found interesting. There is no specific statement for or against any blog listed, but I simply feel the essays and articles are interesting and in need of special attention.

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This was the question posted on our Hellenic Polytheist Forum, “What are the main points of conflict in Hellenics? And what are your opinions on them?” My answer was rather simple. The biggest point of contention is answering the question who is and who is not Hellenic. Virtually every single one of the most heated debates can be traced back to that one question. In answering this query, the Neopagans are mostly on one side, while actual Reconstructionists sit on the other. In the end, most every Reconstructionist can be tolerant of the most liberal Reconstructionist opinion. We all draw from the same body of material, and use the same scholarly guidelines. Neopagans, on the other hand, do not want to “limit” themselves. They opt instead for free-flowing spirituality and practice, while at the same time insisting they be considered Hellenic.

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You may hear the comment when discussing Hellenismos outside Hellenic circles, “Hellenic Reconstruction is rigid and inflexible.” No, Reconstruction is not rigid, but it is also not easy. Hellenismos requires commitment, fortitude, and determination. It is not an effortless or uncomplicated religion, and does not provide instant gratification. Even if a person is not acting as a scholar, or participating in active reconstruction, there is an expectation of one being erudite, reasoned, and virtuous. It requires work, commitment, and perseverance, but the benefits are lasting and tangible.

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This seems to be the talk of the day across a number of venues. The questions tend to revolve around Hellenismos and it being a Reconstructionist religion. There are questions about where the boundaries are between Hellenic Paganism, Hellenic Polytheism, and Hellenic Reconstructionism. What is the importance of myths, religious obligation, and ethics? Is there a difference of opinion between different Hellenic Reconstructionists on what separates them and “Neopagans”?

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I am sure we are all aware that Sarah Kate Istra Winter is planning to publish a second, revised, and expanded edition of her Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored book in early 2008. While the original was only published a few short years ago, it was the only work on modern Hellenic Polytheism in print for a very long time, and probably warrants this second edition. It will be interesting to compare and contrast these two versions, and I encourage anyone who has yet to get it, to purchase the original while it is still available. It can be found through cafepress.com.
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