Cult of Athena: would anyone follow?

Question

Should a modern cult of the Goddess Athena appear, would it be popular?

Athena was the Goddess of Wisdom, protector of Mankind and Civilisation. She was female, but also a warrior. She defended the weak, rewared righteousness and heroic endeavour. But she would forgive her enemies and those who commited wrongings. She was meant to be a guide and a protector to humanity, which she believed was meant to elevate itself to the level of gods.

She valued knowledge, compassion, courage and strength.

I think she could become very popular again to occidental people, given a good Cult leader. She offers a bit of fantasy (like all greek myths), but good, simple-based values.

In fact, she is present in some recent pagan traditions. She can be seen on some South American coins, on the Seal of California and the symbol of the US Women's Army Corp and many other places and items.

Answer 1

Shes also on the Army Medal of Honor (a Minerva, her Roman counter-part).

Of all the Greek goddesses, Athena has always been my favorite. You left out that she was cunning, known for her quick wit, and was a great military tactician. Actually, when going to war, SHE was the one people prayed to, and not the other god of war, Ares. In Greek mythology, Ares was not very liked at times, and there are instances that show him as a bit of a pansy (though his Roman counterpart, Mars, was nothing like that).

Like I said, I've always liked her (and Ishtar/Inanna). Dionysus has to be the best god, though. Too bad those two couldn't hook up. Oh the little goddlets they would create! ^_^

EDIT-- Some people have taken offense to the term "cult". These same people probably forgot the for decades Christianity was known as the Cult of Jesus, or the Cult of Christ. In the ancient days, cult was used to describe pretty much any religion, since there was no national religion.

Answer 2

In the anthropological sense of the term cult, I'd assume there already are cults of Athena. There certainly are of Mithras and Apollon.

Answer 3

Isis from egypt was worshipped in England as late as the 1890's & some of the gods from ancient times are enjoying a resurgence in worshippers. I think a following to Athena would be cool, after all, she does represent good & could be regarded as the ceremonial figurehead of western civilisation due to her being the patron goddess of athens & the second most powerful greek deiety.
EDIT: BTW, some christians have obviously taken offence to this "heathen gods" question & answer hence all the thumbs down lol

Answer 4

no, it's a cult. if it sounded cool, like " the coolest club of Athena" then maybe people might think about it. I mean Americans are all into what is cool.

Answer 5

Ahh, yeah, sounds like a good idea, I have always wanted to join a cult.........

Answer 6

I know several people who worship Athena specifically, and quite a few more, including myself, who worship various Goddesses.

Paganism modernly is a very varied set of religions and beliefs.

Answer 7

It got stolen by the Romans

Answer 8

You talk of Athena as if she actually existed.

She was part of the mythology of the Greeks and Romans - i.e. she was "dreamed up" to explain natural phenomenon.

Why would anyone worship a figment of their imagination? The human heart longs for truth, not lies and poor substitutes.

Answer 9

Ok, if you worship Greek gods then you are basically choosing to give creedence to the mythology (read stories...fables) of the ancients.

This makes no sense!

That's like saying I'm going to worship something out of a Grimm's fairy tale because it sounds really cool.

Eeegads - people, where is your reason and common sense?

Answer 10

Sounds cool