Are there Hellenistic religious believers today (Greek Mythology believers)

[The Sum of Awe]

Playing God of War got me interested in Greek Mythology so much. Now, if I didn't know much science I'd probably make myself believe in them, just to be cool.

This made me wonder if there are still Greek Hellenists today.

 

[Revasser]

The Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes is a good place to start.

 

[Mata]

Playing God of War got me interested in Greek Mythology so much. Now, if I didn't know much science I'd probably make myself believe in them, just to be cool.

This made me wonder if there are still Greek Hellenists today.

Yup :yes:
Hellenic paganism is being revived and reconstructed by various groups. Especially in Greece and the U.S.A from my understanding.

There's actually a few organizations if I recall correctly.

 

[Ravenheart]

Yes I can confirm that being Greek myself and as I have checked everything about Hellenic Recon. I can also confirm that games, especially this one are created to attract the uneducated audience and possibly fascinate them by the powers of the gods. However I tell you, that first you should read Ησίωδου Θεογωνία (Hesiod's Theogonia) and then start searching about Hellenic Recon.

 

[ehatsumi]

do they have forums like this, too?

 

[El_Majusi]

Theodosius forbade the beautiful Hellenic cult in the IVth century. When you forbid to believe to an ancient and true belief to the people, the rebirth of that belief will be an impressing and incredible rebirth. It will happen for Hellenism, like it begins to happen for Zoroastrianism!

 

[kaknelson]

Yes there are thousands of us, although we are secretive

 

[Crystal Malik]

What are these people called though because I'm really curious.

 

[Quintessence]

What are these people called though because I'm really curious.

They call themselves different things. Those that are interested recreating historically authentic practice might variously call themselves Hellenes, Hellenic Reconstructionists, Hellenic Polytheists, Hellenic Pagans/Neopagans, Olympianists, or something else that I'm missing.

Those who incorporate the Greek pantheon into their path but are not so much about the historical recreation might add the prefix Hellenic in front of whatever the rest of their path is, and some of those labels might be the same as the ones used by the folks above.

 

[Planets and the Sun]

Yes. I wouldn't say "believe in Greek mythology", since many people who believe in the Ancient Greek deities don't take mythology literal but believe in those deities.

There's lots of Pagans that include them in a more ecclectic way in their worship but among the ones that are more historically accurate or adhere mainly to that pantheon, they're called Hellenic Reconstructionists (recons for short), Hellenic Polytheists, and other things too.

Do some searching, you'll find lots of websites dedicated to the subject if you're curious. I was an Hellenic Polytheist for several years so if you have any questions, feel free to ask, too.

The Supreme Council of Ethnic Hellenes is a good place to start.

Don't they have strong connections to the far-right, though? :sarcastic

They call themselves different things. Those that are interested recreating historically authentic practice might variously call themselves Hellenes, Hellenic Reconstructionists, Hellenic Polytheists, Hellenic Pagans/Neopagans, Olympianists, or something else that I'm missing.

Those who incorporate the Greek pantheon into their path but are not so much about the historical recreation might add the prefix Hellenic in front of whatever the rest of their path is, and some of those labels might be the same as the ones used by the folks above.

I've never heard of "Olympianists" but "Hellenes" is actually a bit controversial. Technically, that just means "Greek", and so some Greek people have come forward to explain that it's a bit vague to call yourself that since technically nowadays that's not the main religion in Greece.

 

[GoodbyeDave]

do they have forums like this, too?

Yes, indeed:
hellenismos.us

And while browsing, try visiting
LABRYS : Hellenic Religious community
Hellenion
neosalexandria | Alexandria Reborn
Neokoroi - the Temple Keepers

There's a lot of it about!

To sum up belief:
There is one God, the ruler and father of all things, and many gods, children of God, ruling together with him. (Maximus of Tyre)
Born of himself, untaught, motherless, unshakable, not contained in a name, many-named, dwelling in fire: this is God. We, his emissaries, are a small part of God. (Apollo, through his oracle at Claros)

 

[Alt Thinker]

I was brought up on Bullfinch and Hamilton and can appreciate the power of the mythology of the Greeks. I find all these years later that the depth of feeling I have for those tales actually exceeds what I feel about the Christianity in which I was raised. I believe it is because with few exceptions the Biblical stories were presented as history, yet lacked much credibility. But Perseus, Jason, Hercules, Hector, Odysseus - these live in a timeless realm where I do not need to believe in them as mundane matters of fact. They offer archetypes of ideals - courage, heroism, honor, loyalty - yet are simultaneously human with all the flaws and foibles that entails. They are images I could both look up to and still recognize myself in them. And that told me I, I could hope to be brave and heroic and honorable and loyal if I continued to try. This is what myth is: a highly polished mirror of life showing us what matters not just today or tomorrow but for all time.

* Steps down. Pushes soapbox back under bed. *

 

[Bunyip]

I'm an atheist, but have a deep love for the Greco-Roman pantheon and have raised my son according to it's principles.

So I guess I do believe. I believe that those gods, demigods and men and the parables that describe and define them are a beautiful, sophisticated and meaningful philosophy.

I don't see how any of it necessarily conflicts with atheism either - the pagan traditions tend to place no emphasis or importance on historicity or apologetics whatsoever.

Whether Zeus for example is real or not is completely irrelevant,to the moral lessons taught through parables about him. In fact to ask if Zeus really existed or not would be to entirely miss the point.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I was brought up on Bullfinch and Hamilton and can appreciate the power of the mythology of the Greeks. I find all these years later that the depth of feeling I have for those tales actually exceeds what I feel about the Christianity in which I was raised. I believe it is because with few exceptions the Biblical stories were presented as history, yet lacked much credibility. But Perseus, Jason, Hercules, Hector, Odysseus - these live in a timeless realm where I do not need to believe in them as mundane matters of fact. They offer archetypes of ideals - courage, heroism, honor, loyalty - yet are simultaneously human with all the flaws and foibles that entails. They are images I could both look up to and still recognize myself in them. And that told me I, I could hope to be brave and heroic and honorable and loyal if I continued to try. This is what myth is: a highly polished mirror of life showing us what matters not just today or tomorrow but for all time.

* Steps down. Pushes soapbox back under bed. *

Beautifully stated! :clap The Greek myths were my first love.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Hellenic spirituality has had the biggest influence on my personal spiritual views. So, yes - I believe in Hellenism.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

The Night of the Living Thread

 

[Viker]

Artemis, Hecate and Persephone. Gotta love'm.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Artemis, Hecate and Persephone. Gotta love'm.

I am more fond of Prometheus, even though he was not really a god but a titan. But I put first Chaos, for without chaos there would never be order.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I am more fond of Prometheus, even though he was not really a god but a titan. But I put first Chaos, for without chaos there would never be order.

Titans are Gods, just a different generation of Gods from the Olympians.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Titans are Gods, just a different generation of Gods from the Olympians.

At one point they were, but certainly are not anymore.