Paganism - Δωδεκάθεον

[Flipper]

So, do we have any members belonging to that religion? I'm not pagan but I do have great respect for our religion. However, in Greece there are two categories of "Pagans". We have those that I call for "real" pagans and we have the pseudo-pagans who camouflage themselves as that in order to promote other religions like for example "Scientology". It makes me sad to see how many kids fall for the second category. The material published has nothing to do with the Dodekatheon as a religion but has a rather scary background and ideals.

[edessa]

i do not think this type of post is appropriate! the official religion of greece is orthodoxy and has been since 1053
no offence to any 'pagans' or the like, but they can go sacrifice their lambs or wateva to zeus elsewhere - it just makes us an even bigger rezili talking about this sort of stuff

[edessa]

Originally Posted by Flipper

It makes me sad to see how many kids fall for the second category. :

it makes me sad to see 95% of ppl in churches are 60+...i think this is a much more worrying issue than oppressed or confused pagans dont you?

[Flipper]

Originally Posted by edessa

i do not think this type of post is appropriate! the official religion of greece is orthodoxy and has been since 1053
no offence to any 'pagans' or the like, but they can go sacrifice their lambs or wateva to zeus elsewhere - it just makes us an even bigger rezili talking about this sort of stuff

Why isn't it appropriate to ask if someone belongs to that religion? I didn't say it is an official religion nowadays. Besides, if some people do believe in that they have the right to follow it like any other Greek citizen folowing other religions. From what i've seen so far those people offer flowers and stefana to their gods and eat lamb like we do in easter. And they do it in their sacred places like we do in our churches. Contrary to you and me they can't pray in any temple.

Those who make us rezily are those scientologists that use paganism to expose other non-related beliefs. True pagans want nothing to do with these stuff. It is more a philosophical approach rather than racism and supremacy sh*t that is depicted in some books and magazines.

[HellenicPride]

Their is nothing wrong with Greeks believing in the twelve gods. Personally Im a Christian but if they want to worship them so let it be.

[Flipper]

Originally Posted by edessa

it makes me sad to see 95% of ppl in churches are 60+...i think this is a much more worrying issue than oppressed or confused pagans dont you?

Both are different cases. Both are sad.

[Tsontos]

I think edessa is reacting to trend of very pushy anti-christian people who beleive in conspiracy theories about the church and revolution.

as long as discussion sticks to facts and reason we're ok

[Slayer]

and this poses another question, do we Orthodox Greeks realy accept other Greeks if they are not Orthodox, eg:Catholic, Muslim, Atheist, Jehova witness, Pagan etc?

[Tsontos]

I see it as all being relative. I dont accept Catholics, Muslims, Jehovas witnesses or Jews as being Greeks but I do accept Pagans and Atheists

my logic might sound pretty arbitrary but its just the way I am, mostly for historical reasons

[Flipper]

Originally Posted by Slayer

and this poses another question, do we Orthodox Greeks realy accept other Greeks if they are not Orthodox, eg:Catholic, Muslim, Atheist, Jehova witness, Pagan etc?

I accept Catholics. I have friends that are Greek Catholics. Remember that those lived in a very free environment during ottoman years. As for Jews, their religion makes their ethnicity so that is the reason I see them as Jews. Now, if there are muslims who feel Greek in every way except from the religion it is ok with me. I'm more for Isokrates definition of the Hellenes, so religion is not so important for my criteria. Browsing around the net I see people that would put Ortodoxy before Hellenism, so that makes me think again about the importance of religion on the matter. Religion did never make me personally feel more Greek. If I was an atheist, Catholic, Toist or whatever, I would still be here and write and be happy for the people that surround me. I'm first a Greek and then a Christian.