01-25-2007, 08:22 PM
well its a big discussion and cannot be covered within few posts. The issue has social, historical and even political hues and im not sure if we are allowed to discuss it in this forum cause its not all about ancient history.
My opinion in short is that there is a historic reason related to the relligion convertion to christianity and the way the ''ethnic'' religion was dealled from church, a social reason that relates to what the people are used as ''proper'' and a political concerning the fear of lost votes for any politician that will oppose church and what is thought as established customs. Offcourse there are religious fanatics but i think in the same analogy as in every country in the world and even less comparing with some (i will avoid examples).
Now there is another extend also. The way Hellenes supporters (i dont say believers) of ethnic relligion interacted with the public (not on that occasion) and presented or even ''sold'' themselves if im allowed to use the language of my trade (graphic design) to the media and public opinion. To tell you the truth they presented a very foggy and comfused image. What exactly they are? True believers of the Olympian pantheon? Just worshipers of the tradition and the ideas that this enclose? Reenactors? What?
Even i that i want to believe that i spend enough time reading and studying about greek heritage and history, that i have absolutelly no affection for ''shops'' that sell salvation and even contradict the original teaching of the founder of that belief (christianity) i cant say that i was thrilled by the ceremony i saw. For example the ceremony of Olympian fire is a very imposing one. that had not that quality. If i that im positive towards such ceremonies, i cant take it too serious then what do you expect from grandpapas that think those things as ''devilish'' or common people that never tryed to understand and read greek history, but their only worry is to what ''bouzoukia'' they will spend 500 euro in a night?
My opinion in short is that there is a historic reason related to the relligion convertion to christianity and the way the ''ethnic'' religion was dealled from church, a social reason that relates to what the people are used as ''proper'' and a political concerning the fear of lost votes for any politician that will oppose church and what is thought as established customs. Offcourse there are religious fanatics but i think in the same analogy as in every country in the world and even less comparing with some (i will avoid examples).
Now there is another extend also. The way Hellenes supporters (i dont say believers) of ethnic relligion interacted with the public (not on that occasion) and presented or even ''sold'' themselves if im allowed to use the language of my trade (graphic design) to the media and public opinion. To tell you the truth they presented a very foggy and comfused image. What exactly they are? True believers of the Olympian pantheon? Just worshipers of the tradition and the ideas that this enclose? Reenactors? What?
Even i that i want to believe that i spend enough time reading and studying about greek heritage and history, that i have absolutelly no affection for ''shops'' that sell salvation and even contradict the original teaching of the founder of that belief (christianity) i cant say that i was thrilled by the ceremony i saw. For example the ceremony of Olympian fire is a very imposing one. that had not that quality. If i that im positive towards such ceremonies, i cant take it too serious then what do you expect from grandpapas that think those things as ''devilish'' or common people that never tryed to understand and read greek history, but their only worry is to what ''bouzoukia'' they will spend 500 euro in a night?
aka Yannis
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Molon lave
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Molon lave
