Here's an interesting controversy. A Greek Pagan revival group in Greece, who were just awarded legal recognition last year, are demanding access to Greece's ancient temples, to worship the gods for whom the temples were originally built. A ceremony is planned for today at the Temple of Zeus desp[ite opposition from the Greekl Government. Pagans performing ceremonies in the past at the temple of Hephaestus were chased away by members of the Ministry of Culture, apparently under pressure from the Greek Orthodox Church.

The Church, which represents the vast majority of religious Greeks, is vigorously opposed to legalized paganism in Greece. A representative of the church made the comment last year opposing recognition of Greece's pagans, calling them "miserable resuscitators of a degenerate dead religion who wish to return to the monstrous dark delusions of the past." The real question here is, why would a government office charged with preserving and protecting Greece's Pagan cultural past so vigorously oppose group that openly embraces the ideals and beliefs of that culture?

More: Hellenic Paganism

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