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Groups and self-designations; From Wikipedia
Topic Started: Mar 9 2010, 02:56 PM (239 Views)
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Groups and self-designations

Hellenic Reconstructionism exists in Greece and in other countries. It is estimated there are as many as 2,000 adherents to the Hellenic tradition in Greece, with an additional 100,000 who have "some sort of interest" (as of 2005).[1] No official estimates exist for devotees worldwide.
There are no official naming practices for this religion, but there does seem to be an informal naming convention, based on academically accepted descriptive definitions, adhered to by groups and most individuals. Additionally, subgroups use a variety of names to distinguish branches focusing on specific schools of thought, or modern traditions focusing on the public practices of individual city-states. These subgroups can be described as denominations. Hellenismos, Hellenism, the Hellenic tradition, the Hellenic religion, and Hellenic polytheism all can be said to be used interchangeably to refer to the religion, and are synonymous. The phrase Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism refers to the overall movement, and a methodology used to revive the religion, but is not the religion itself. Dodekatheism and Olympianism refer to specific "denominations", but are within the classification of the Hellenic tradition, and part of the Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionist movement.
Hellenismos is a popular identifier, especially in English speaking nations. The word corresponds to the English word Hellenism, and means (in ancient Greek) the civilization and culture of ancient Greece, but is also used in modern Greek to refer to the totality of the Greek people and culture. The term's use in religion stems from a systemization of Greek Religion done by the Roman Emperor Julian. Its use to refer to modern revivalist Hellenic polytheism was popularized by Andrew Campbell, the author of Old Stones, New Temples.[2]
[edit]In Greece
The Greek organization Ύπατο Συμβούλιο των Ελλήνων Εθνικών (Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes or YSEE), established in 1997,[3] acts as an umbrella organization in Greece, and is publicly active. YSEE is a founding member of the World Congress of Ethnic Religions and hosted the seventh annual WCER Congress in June 2004, and is fast becoming the preeminent organization representing the Hellenic religion worldwide.[4] YSEE is also a member of the European Union's action programme to combat discrimination. About 2500 people attended YSEE's Prometheia festival in 2005. The organization primarily refers to the religion as the "Ethnic Polytheistic, Hellenic Tradition", or simply "Hellenism", in English translations, and its practitioners as "Ethnikoi Hellenes".
Another Greek organization, Dodekatheon (Δωδεκάθεον, Dōdekátheon, Of the Twelve Gods),[5] uses the term ἑλληνικὴ θρησκεία (hellēnikē thrēskeîa, translated as "Hellenic religion").
A third, the Helliniki Hetaireia Archaiophilon (Societas Hellenica Antiquariorum), prefers the phrase, "traditional Hellenic religion of the Dodecatheon".[6]
[edit]In the United States and elsewhere
Outside of Greece, Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionist organizations began to emerge around 1998, with some individuals claiming anecdotally to have been engaging in some form of Reconstructed practice since the 1970s. Old Stones, New Temples (2000), written by American author Drew Campbell, was the first English-language book on Hellenic polytheism, and identifies "Pagan Reconstructionism," as originating from dissatisfaction with the level of cultural authenticity in Wicca and other popular forms of modern Paganism.[7]
In the US, the Hellenic polytheist organization Hellenion also identifies its practices as "Hellenic Pagan Reconstructionism" and emphasizes historical accuracy in its mission statement.[8] Additionally, the group uses the term "Hellenismos" (Ἑλληνισμός, Hellēnismós) to describe the religion. Hellenion does not provide official membership numbers to the public, but an unofficial estimate of 43 members can be determined for 2007[9], though this number can only give the roughest approximation, as Hellenion offers hardship waivers to those who cannot afford the typical membership fees[10]. In early 2010, the organization had 7 demoi or proto-demoi established, which are local groups that offer rituals and other events for members and frequently for the public as well.[11]
Another American group, Elaion, uses the term "Dodekatheism" (Greek: δώδεκα, dodeka, "twelve" + θεϊσμός, theïsmós, "belief in the gods") to describe their approach to the Hellenic religion.[12] According to the group's homepage, the organization is presently "in transition", and not accepting new members. No reported numbers for current membership levels are known to exist.
Neokoroi is another group of Hellenic polytheists in the United States and abroad. While most members of Neokoroi identify as "Reconstructionsts", not all do, nor is the practise of a "hard reconstructionist" methodology required of its members; regardless, of whether or not hard reconstruction is required of Neokoroi members, academic knowledge of ancient history, including religious practises, is very strongly encouraged and members seeking Exegete status within Neokoroi are required to produce a bare minimum of two articles for the site that display a fair amount of academic knowledge.[13] The group is a rather popular, though largely Internet-based collective of Hellenic Polytheists; public worship is encouraged by most members and its mission statement, and members are encouraged to share photos of themselves, their shrines, personal altars, rituals, and other celebrations on the Neokoroi website, with hopes that this act of sharing will inspire practise in others. Neokoroi also publishes a quarterly newsletter, He Epistole, that is distributed amongst members and via members at a grass-roots level.[14]
Other terms in common usage by Hellenic polytheists include "Greek reconstructionism" and "Hellenic Traditionalism".
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