Greetings to all!

I am new in AW and one of the reasons i joined is this group.
Its great to be amongst all of you.
To the subject now.

The Greek religion was not a religion in the sence we understand today!
Robert Garland professor of classical studies in the univercity of Colgate wrote: " I can't think of any better way to describe the leading trent amongst the Greek religion, so i can show you how diferent it was from todays religious systems; than this:

-There wasn't a Dogma.
-There wasn't a system of faith that everybody should aprove.
-There wasn't an official Theological interprintation regarding the appliance of religious values.
-There wasn't anythink that looks like todays Church authority with one central Hierarchy.
-There wasn't the sence of missionaries to the world of a God.
-There wasn't an absolute clarification between Holy and Unholy.
-There wasn't the idea of Sin or redemption.
-There wasn't any specific rules of life.
-There wasn't any denial of the worldly plesures.
-There wasn't any great fear about an eternal condemnation into some kind of Hell.
-There wasn't Boundaries between religion and everyday life.



So the first thing he says is that there was not an Dogma ,that means there were not any foundamental rules to follow. If you worshiped a god and you were a Honest and Ethical person your life was that of a free man. If you didn't worship any god and you were still an honest and ethical person nobody would judge you for that and surely you wouldn't go to any kind of hell.

In that sence the Greeks although in all their work(philosophical also0 they seem to know of the existance of a Creator, they choose to have a lot of gods which they see them as the ones that help the universe work and so they payed them someform of tribute!
This led to a Free man (at least in spirit), they had to make this time that had been given to them here on this place ,worthwhile!
Philosophy was created from that simple thought. To make the most of our life time before we meet the Creator.
Todays religions are full of Dogmas and superstitions , the Greeks didn't have any of these.

I recall a story about a great Spartan general that went to the oracle of delphi to seek knowledge about an up coming battle , when the priestess was about to give her advice a black crow flew above their heads in circles! the priestess cried out that this was a bad Omen send by the Gods! and the General throwed a rock to the crow and said " one omen is the Best one! to Defend your country from your Enemies"
(ΕΙΣ ΟΙΩΝΟΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΜΥΝΕΣΘΑΙ ΠΕΡΙ ΠΑΤΡΙΣ!)

and of course the story of Odysseus and that is a Greek mans way of life and his journey to return home.