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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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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