Holier-Than-Who?

Samson was a friggin' suicide bomber. With a final cry to God, Samson pushed over the central pillars, collapsing the temple and killing more enemies at his death than he had in his life. [1] Of course, he was dubbed a martyr and a hero after that and not as the dangerous fanatic that he was.

Moses was an ungrateful junkie. After being raised as a prince, he had the nerve to revolt against the kingdom that nursed him, and smoke weed for 40 days and 40 nights under "religious purposes" (well how else could he talk to God?).

And Yahweh, that murderous racist. “In the cities of the nations the Lord is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.” [DT 20:16] He's inconsistent too. First he says Adam was to die right after eating the fruit [GE 2:17], then a few passages later he claims the guy lived up to 930 years [GE 5:5]. Make up thine mind!

Oh, and Jesus? There isn't enough evidence to prove he actually existed. Most of his mythology was probably taken from earlier 'dying-and-resurrecting' gods like Dionysus, Tammuz, and Osiris.


Now before you plan to burn me at the stake (or hang me if you're Protestant), first of all, you can't. So don't waste your time. Secondly, I actually meant no disrespect. All that was just an example. I just want you to think of how painful this all sounds - you bloody fundies - the next time you slander other people's religions, myths, and deities. I know this is a common Christian ("Christian") custom. So drop it, please. For Christ's sake. I'm pretty sure Christ wouldn't have encouraged bad-mouthing other people's personal belief systems, yes?

A little respect, please. A little more humanity.

To the Pantheon

Snagged from Hearthstone, fellow Recon (and Hellene), this lovely devotion to the Gods in their Greek variety. (I am just too lazy right now to muse on my own, you see.)


Hestia, heart of the house, first born and last:
for light and warmth, home and hearth, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Awesome Zeus, mightiest of all the gods:
protector and rain-bringer, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Noble Hera, defender of marriage:
for family and fidelity, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Poseidon, lord of the ocean depths:
friend to sailors and seafarers, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Demeter, best of mothers, gracious one:
for fertile fields and fruit-filled trees, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Hades, ruler of the vast underworld:
for a gentle end to a long life, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Athena, grey-eyed daughter of great Zeus:
for wisdom, for skill, for victory--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Shining Apollo, archer unerring:
for health, for art, for music--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Artemis, first-born child of fair Leto:
protector of our children, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Hermes, clever son of Zeus and Maia:
for wit and luck and humor, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Glorious Aphrodite, kind one, fair one:
for love, for lust, for passion--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Ares, who takes joy in combat and strife:
for strength, for will, for vigor--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Skillful Hephaistos, maker of marvels:
for craft and invention, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Dionysos, beautiful god of the vine:
for rapture and transcendence, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Great Hekate, ever-watchful maiden:
torch-bearing guide and guardian, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Persephone, lovely queen of the dead:
you who will welcome us all, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Goat-footed Pan, roamer in wild places:
for instinct and unreason, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Eros, irresistable force of desire:
for mindless, ruthless passion, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Gaia, ancient one on whose flesh we tread:
for our lives, for existence, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.