DE-CRIMINALIZE THE WORSHIP OF THE GODS IN GREECE

[Tautalos]

From this site,

www.greekgodslegal.co.uk/

It is essential that the worship of the Greek Gods in Greece be de-criminalized for those people who wish to honour and follow the ancient Olympic Gods and traditions of their country. Many people outside of Greece will be surprised to learn that the current followers of the ancient religion in Greece are to be counted in their thousands!

For many years these people have suffered quietly, unable to do anything about the very difficult situation they find themselves in. One might of thought that now that Greece is a European Union member the situation would of changed - sadly not. Therefore, this 'campaign' is now hoping to make a real improvement in this situation during 2004, Olympic year, when the world's eye will be on Greece.

At the moment the situation is one of real state intimidation in Greece for all those people who worship the ancient Gods of Greece - even in the privacy of their own home. A five year prison sentence could be imposed on people who organise worship or meetings, and even on those people who take part in such meetings and ceremonies. This state enforced intimidation is an obvious abuse of human rights and the 'freedom of conscience' (as declared by the Council of Europe) of this significant group of people.

Clearly, the basic human right to assemble for worship is an extremely important one. Indeed, it is quite unbelievable for people outside of Greece to think that a government of a European Union country who has signed the 'declaration of human rights' can act in this way against a large number of its own people.

Following discussions with a number of "unofficial" longstanding groups in Greece which still organise ceremonies and worship to honour the ancient Gods in Greece, James Head, the co-ordinator of this campaign, who has himself lived 14 years in Delphi, decided that the first priority to improve this situation is to form a 'legal' group (currently impossible!) - and to have an 'official' place of worship in Greece. This is an absolute priority if Greeks and others are to 'come out of the closet' without intimidation and harassment in Greece.

Further information about the state of religious intolerance can be found on the following links below:

1. U.S. Department of State Annual Report (2004) On Religious Freedom In Greece
2. International Helsinki Federation Of Human Rights Report 2003: Greece
3. Article by J. S. Parker Summing Up The Situation
4. Article from DODECATHEON - An Established Hellenic Group In Athens
5. Article from YSEE - An Established Hellenic Group In Athens
6. TV Documentary Details About The Campaign
7. What You Can Do To Help!
8. Contacts

Please contact James, or the other representatives of the campaign on the "Contacts" page, if you are interested in this important area and would like more information.

Supporters of this campaign of course do not necessarily have to follow the Greek Gods themselves - they only have to have an interest in human rights and wish to see this legal 'wrong' corrected officially so that those Greeks who wish, can worship the religion they choose without fear of intimidation from the state.

Followers of the ancient religion inside or outside Greece who can help in anyway with this important Delphi based campaign please get in touch.

This webpage will be updated very regularly now that 'The Campaign to De-Criminalize the Worship of the Greek Gods in Greece' has started in for real! (Last Update - November 2004).

[Dienekes]

All capital titles are forbidden. Change the title of the thread.

[Dienekes]

The worship of the gods is not criminalized in Greece. There are a few thousand individuals who worship the gods, and have public ceremonies, speeches, etc. However, they have not yet acted to get official recognition and establish a place of worship. Their rationale is that since Greek law requires that the local bishop should be consulted when a new religion seeks recognition, that they do not want to submit themselves to the scrutiny of the Church. Well, that's too bad, but that's the law, and if they want recognition they will have to go through the same process as every other religion.

But, I repeat that worshiping the gods is not criminalized in Greece, and no one goes to jail because they pray, e.g., to Zeus.

PS: Greek polytheists have their own organizations such as the one below, and u can see some pics of their religious activities. So, it's inaccurate that polytheism is forbidden in Greece.

www.ysee.gr/

[Tautalos]

admin said:

Their rationale is that since Greek law requires that the local bishop should be consulted when a new religion seeks recognition,

That's unfair, isn't it? Which bishop will accept to consider the worship of the National Deities as a legitimous religion?

[Scanderbeg]

That is ok that some Greeks still worship the Ancient Greek gods, coz there are some people in Albania the worship the Illyrian gods still, in the mountain of Tomor, the Bektashi Albanians still do rituals in honour of the Ilirian gods!

[Tautalos]

That's absolutely amazing, Ilir. Can you give further details about such Illyrian Pagan worship? Are the Bektashi Albanians really worshipping Illyrian Deities, or is it just worship of Christian saints that conserve many Pagan influences? And which are the names of those Gods?

[omegaspan]

And why would English people care about this?

[Dienekes]

tautalos said:

That's unfair, isn't it? Which bishop will accept to consider the worship of the National Deities as a legitimous religion?

The ancient gods are not the national deities of Greece. Very few people in Greece worship the gods, and the constitution of Greece begins with a dedication to the Holy Trinity. If worshippers of the gods want to be a recognized religion they should follow the legal procedure to do so, just as any other religion.

[Melnorme]

Very anti-multiculturalism, this Greek policy.
I'm surprised the EU isn't ticked off at it.

[Tautalos]

omegaspan said:

And why would English people care about this?

Who mentioned England?...

Anyway, would it be too difficult for the English to care about what happens to their Indo-European relatives' religion? After all, the Olympians are ethnically related to the Asir and the Vanir, Gods of the Anglo-Saxons.

[Tautalos]

The ancient gods are not the national deities of Greece.

Aren't Them the Gods of the Hellenic Ethnical identity?

Very few people in Greece worship the gods,

Nationality is not a matter of quantity.

and the constitution of Greece begins with a dedication to the Holy Trinity.

There is a difference between Nation and State. Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Hellenes to revolt against the Turkish rule, centuries ago.

If worshippers of the gods want to be a recognized religion they should follow the legal procedure to do so, just as any other religion.

That's were the unjustice lies - in the lack of neutrality in the legal system.

[omegaspan]

After all, the Olympians are ethnically related to the Asir and the Vanir, Gods of the Anglo-Saxons.

really?

[Tautalos]

omegaspan said:

After all, the Olympians are ethnically related to the Asir and the Vanir, Gods of the Anglo-Saxons.

really?

Yes.

[asdf]

tautalos said:

omegaspan said:

And why would English people care about this?

Who mentioned England?...

Anyway, would it be too difficult for the English to care about what happens to their Indo-European relatives' religion? After all, the Olympians are ethnically related to the Asir and the Vanir, Gods of the Anglo-Saxons.

Ethnically related?

Honestly, is there really any reason for this "religion" other than historical pride? Like the Druids in the British Isles. I doubt the majority of them care beyond the fact they think it's cool. Or worse, Wiccans....

[phrost]

The only place that I can think of religion being criminalized would be some of these hard core Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia or Iran but not Greece.