Lastly - We As Hellenic Polytheists Need To Be Better About Our Ableism.

HelPol Discourse & Ableism

A more nuanced addition to this post - which I made on a low spoons day (if you're just interested in the ableism part then scroll to the bottom).

The Dunning-Kruger Effect

“The Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people with limited competence in a particular domain overestimate their abilities”

- Wikipedia

The Duning-Kruger Effect was first pointed out to me by another pagan practitioner - and in that context it was used to describe those who claim to know what is “right” or “wrong” for all practitioners within a given tradition.

This fellow practitioner (I can’t remember their name - this was at least 2 years ago) pointed out that those who are incredibly knowledgeable about a given tradition don’t tend to go around policing others practices.

Why?

Because being knowledgeable about any religious or spiritual tradition means recognizing how incredibly human made traditions are. They are loose - flexible - ever changing and ever evolving within both individual and community practice.

Now - that doesn’t mean “anything goes” within a tradition or religion, quite the opposite.

It instead means that the best way to create a cohesive tradition (or revive a cohesive tradition) is through working together as a community to discuss what is and isn’t valid praxis.

One individual (or a small group of individuals) speaking on behalf of an entire community is very rarely a good idea.

Bold “unpopular opinion” posts - telling others what is and isn’t valid praxis - is not only incredibly hubristic, but is also only going to lead to anger and infighting.

It is through conversation that we can get to the root of an issue and try to find consensus as a community.

As an example: I could make a post explaining my interpretation of, and feelings around, people worshipping Medusa. I could explain that I have negative feelings because this type of worship was not seen in antiquity. But then I could also make it clear that this is just my opinion - and that I’d be interested in hearing others points of view*

*some of those caught up in this controversy have done this, and have wrongly been demonized for it - while others have done the exact opposite, stating their opinion as law.

If someone makes a post similar to the example and you’re still going to be antagonistic or cruel - then just block that person. You’re going to save both them and yourself a lot of needless stress.

If someone makes a post that is actively inflammatory - you can do one of two things:

1. If you have the energy and bandwidth, you can engage with them in a discussion or civil debate.

2. If you don’t have the energy or bandwidth, or if OP is unwillingly to engage you in such talks, then just block them. Again - it will save you a lot of needless stress.

Lastly - we as Hellenic Polytheists need to be better about our ableism.

If there is something in our faith that is ableist (example: you must always stand with arms outstretched during ritual) then it shouldn’t be part of our faith.

Just because some people do not have any limitations on their physical mobility or mental energy - does not mean that the able-bodied way of doing things gets to be the default or “correct” way of practicing our faith.

I want to make a longer post on the ableism that is rampant in both the HelPol and wider Pagan communities - but for now I think that will suffice.

Askbox is open, as are DMs - The Temple is always open to community building, community discussion, and (civil) community debate.

Eirene - peace and farewell,

- Temple Hyacinthus

More Posts from Alasthegeese and Others

3 weeks ago

Hello my supporting friends

I would extend my deepest gratitude and thanks for being supporters of people who are in dire and bad need due to the shortage of all living necessities. 😥😥😥

My family has been undergoing all forms of humiliation and oppression for almost ten months . Being jobless, my father is suffering much because lots of our basic living necessities can't be attained. 😢😢😢

Living circumstances are getting harder and harder, and this makes our daily life tragic and disastrous. Getting the basic needs has become our biggest challenges, leaving behind our dreams and aspiration. Our daily sufferings have become too great for us to bear. ,😥😥😥

Hello My Supporting Friends
Hello My Supporting Friends

A photo taken for the same girl before the war and nowadays.🤯🤯🤯

Hello My Supporting Friends

A photo of our beautiful house taken after the invasion of our neighborhood. Much destruction and rubbel have taken place. Nothing has been left for us to live in. Our belongings and possessions were completely destroyed😥😥😥

Hello My Supporting Friends

The life inside the tents under the hot weather is another tragedy. Such a life of sufferings and hardships is adding to our pain and sorrow. But with your support and standing by us, you have been lessening our loads lifted on our shoulders. So please keep helping us by donating whatever you can, sharing as much as you can and reposting messages to help get the campaign promoted.

1 month ago
Lover's Eye Bracelet
Lover's Eye Bracelet
Lover's Eye Bracelet

Lover's Eye Bracelet

c. 1860

Watercolor on ivory set in a gold bracelet

probably British

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1 month ago

Don't worry they were like that when he found them

3 weeks ago

Hello, wonderful souls! 🤍🌍

I hope you're doing well. 🌿

Could you help me amplify my family's story and bring awareness to our struggle? 🙏🏻

💬 Please reblog my pinned post or consider donating just $5—your support could truly make a difference in saving lives amidst war and hardship.

Your kindness and voice matter more than you know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! 🤍🌿

🕊️ @mosabsdr | Every share counts. 💫

palease donate if you can, or at least spread the word. just a few clicks and a few moments of your time could change lives 💛


Tags
3 weeks ago

The situation here is beyond tragic. The closure of the crossings and the lack of aid entering Gaza have led to food shortages and rising prices. Death is not only from bombing, but also from hunger. Donate even a small amount; it would mean a lot to me. Thank you all for your support of me and my family. Don't let us down and abandon us in these most difficult times.

You, your family, and everyone else in Gaza deserve so much. You all are incredibly strong and brave💛

Please donate if you can, they should never be abandoned, especially at such difficult and scarring times. If you are unable to, please reblog and share with friends and to those close to you


Tags
1 month ago

People try so hard to avoid any possible indications of polygamy among the Greek gods.

3 weeks ago

‼️‼️We will die at any moment‼️‼️

The war has returned after 15 months of death and genocide. We have never rested. We are losing people every day, most of them children and women... The bombing is everywhere. Our children are afraid...The sound is frightening.😭

‼️‼️We Will Die At Any Moment‼️‼️
‼️‼️We Will Die At Any Moment‼️‼️

There is no food, no drink, no medicine, the crossing is closed and everything is expensive.

‼️

"We don't want to die. Please donate and help us buy food and medicine for my husband and save our lives. Just donate."

😭🙏😞🫂‼️😭🙏😞🫂‼️

Please save us before it's too late. Help me donate to us.

Campaign checked by 90-ghost

Reblog by @90-ghost · 1 image
Tumblr
💬 69  🔁 5471  ❤️ 1272 · My name is Suheila from Gaza 🇵🇸, a mother of 5 children, living with my family in a tent after the war destroyed ou

Donation link

Donate to Support Suhaila's family in their time of need, organized by Mickey Dee
gofundme.com
Hi my name is Mickey and I'm raising funds for: Suheila, who is a m… Mickey Dee needs your support for Support Suhaila's family in
3 weeks ago

Dont skip 🔴

Save my life.please!! 🙏🏻🍉💔

Hello, I am Marah from Gaza, I am 23 years old, studying at Al-Azhar University.

I am writing these words after deep thought, as the urgent need to save me and my family is beyond my ability to bear.

I would like to add that I am studying law, and I aspire to become a valuable lawyer in my country.

I wish my days were better and that I would not live in a war deprived of my most basic rights.

Dont Skip 🔴

But the war came and destroyed all our dreams and ambitions.

We had a supermarket and my brother worked in it and our life was very happy, but it was completely destroyed and now we have no source of income.

My mother also suffers from an enlarged thyroid gland and diabetes, and because of what we are going through we cannot provide her with any treatment, and her condition is getting worse.

My father also had a stroke because he heard about the loss of our relatives, and he also lost our home. He worked all his life to build his life's home. We suffer from diseases and lack of clean water.

We are living death.

Please help me protect and help my brother, my family and my cat to restore life and hope to them. Every donation, even if it’s just $5, can make a difference. It means so much to us and our child. Please reshape their lives with love and safety, and help build new hope in them.

It makes a difference in helping me save my family.

I feel so sad and embarrassed to ask for help, but I have no other options left. I know this is a tough ask, but I also know that there is still humanity and conscience and I believe in miracles.

Your support during this very difficult time will give us hope in the midst of devastation and despair.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask me!

My sincere regards and thank you.

My campaing vetted by @/90-ghost

‼️Donate via credit card

Donate to Emergency: Help Evacuate My Family From GAZA WAR, organized by Mohammed katoa
gofundme.com
Hello, I am Marah from Gaza, I am 23 years old, studying at Al-Azhar U… Mohammed katoa needs your support for Emergency: Help Evacuate My Fa

‼️Donate via PayPal

PayPal.Me
Go to paypal.me/Mohammedkatoa95 and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure. Don’t have a PayPal account? No worries.
4 months ago

I saw a post yesterday saying that someone was surprised people read straight fanfic and it actually had me tweaking out. I ship mainly lesbian ships as I find them the most relatable and most comforting although winners do NOT love winning. I ship straight ships too and I feel like that's how fandom spaces started is the fact that you ship something that wasn't canon. You found two characters that made sense together. Idk just let people ship what they want as long as it's safe sound and consensual. That's my yap session for today.

2 months ago

Hey *hand on shoulder* you know that Greece, along with most of the balkan countries, has been under ottoman turkish rule for more than 400 years? You know that Greece today has many economic problems today, despite it's history being rich?

You know that Greece is very prone to forest fires and natural disasters?

Also, do you know that Greece, along with Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Montenegro... They are all protesting against corruption, and no one talked about it.

You talk about wanting to have temples to worship in modern day, but you don't care about the land that those temples would be built on?

Greece may be an Orthodox Christian country. But trust me, the gods are still very much living there. Their spirit is still there. Poseidon is still ruling the waves, Zeus is still watching over in the sky, Demeter is taking care of the crops.

All i am asking is... Spread awareness. I am saying this on behalf of my greek friend, firstly, who has complained to me about their issues not being heard. LEARN HISTORY. STUDY CURRENT WORLD EVENTS. SEND LOVE TO THE LAND OF GREECE, WHO HAS ENDURED GREAT HARDSHIPS.

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alasthegeese - emilee
emilee

hellenic polytheist pansexualinherently strange * greek mythology* the hunger games * criminal minds * hannibal (2013) * yellowjackets

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