whats the difference between Hellenic Reconstructionists, and someone who believes in the twelve gods of?

Question

olympus?

Answer 1

The two are very similar. There is a wide variety in modern Neopaganism, and many different ways to understand and worship the Gods. A Hellenic Reconstructionist looks to history, archeology, classical literature, and scholarship to best determine how to worship the Gods. A Greek Wiccan uses a Wiccan ritual structure, and a Wiccan holiday calendar, and just "Hellenizes" it by plugging Greek Gods and Goddesses into the appropriate slots. A Greek Druid uses the Druidic (ADF) ritual structure, and plugs the Greek Gods into the appropriate slots. An eclectic Greek Pagan does whatever feels right at the moment. So there is a wide range between spontaneity and structure, inspiration and tradition, intuition and intellect, form and function. And most Pagans are somewhere in between, seeking a balance between the heart and mind, between what works, and what is historically accurate.

Answer 2

The greek gods stemmed from earlier pantheon of 12 commonly know to the Sumerians and Babylonians. The only difference as seen by most is that the Greek pantheon is only somewhat corrupted from earlier sources. This corruption is seen in the names for example. But the relations and original stories are in many cases the same, just slightly altered.

Therefore, strictly speaking, any attempt to reconstruct the Hellenic culture is indirectly related to the original Pantheon of 12.

For a good example of an older story that has been made Greek. Google: The Epic of Gilgamesh

Answer 3

To be a Hellenic Reconstructionist, you have to both believe in the gods AND be a Reconstructionist.

One is a prerequisite of the other.

Answer 4

Reconstructionists strive for historical accuracy. They try to worship the Greek deities as closely as they can with the ways of the ancient Greeks. Besides Greek religion, ritual and mythology, they also tend to study Greek language, philosophy, and culture.

There are plenty of non-reconstructionist Pagans who also believe in the Greek gods and who may or may not worship them. They have a variety of eclectic and more modern approaches and/or understandings of the gods.

Anyone can believe. Reconstructionism is a specific method and approach for believers.

Answer 5

Recons believe in worshiping the way the ancient Greeks did.
Someone who believes is just that - someone who believes, and doesn't care how the Gods were worshiped.

I'm a Hellenic Reconstructionist.

Answer 6

The Hellenist reconstruct it to the best of their abilities apply all resource to find out what they did exactly and the repeat it some one who worships the 12 can do what they what to worship them and not do what the original Greeks did. I am Hellenic recon.

Answer 7

One tries to recreate the practice of worshiping the Greek gods as they were originally worshiped.

The other has decided, "gee, wouldn't I be so cool if I started worshiping the Greek gods?"

Answer 8

It's all greek to me.