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Locally Available Support Resources in the DC Metropolitin Area

Research Project: Create a list of locally available support resources for a family with children who want to learn about our religion. This might include Demos activities, Hellenion curricula, library resources, classes, etc.

The first part of my answer, I will address to non-Hellenic polytheist parents whose children have become involved with our organization. One of the recommendations proposed by the Foundation for Religious Freedom is to "Get More Information" (29). I will use their list of sources of information to organize the first part of my response.

  1. CALL THE GROUP DIRECTLY (Foundation, 30)

    We do not currently have an information phone number locally but may have one in the future if the group becomes larger. However, the public relations person for the local group can be contacted through email at Demarkhos@duttond.topcities.com or through postal mail at Hellenotamiai, P.O.Box 18185, Washington, DC 20036.

  2. IF THEY ARE DISTANT - CALL THE GROUP'S 800 NUMBER (Foundation, 32)

    We also do not have an information phone number for our national organization. The public relations person for the national organization can be contacted through email at Epistates@Hellenion.org or through postal mail at Hellenion, P.O.Box 59, Auburndale, MA 02466.

  3. GO VISIT THE GROUP (Foundation, 33)

    Our monthly meetings are open to the public as are most of our religious festivals. You can find the time and place of our meetings through the local contact (above) or by joining our email list, for a trial period, at groups.yahoo.com/group/Hellenion_mdvadc.

  4. ARRANGE A SPECIFIC MEETING (Foundation, 33)

    Our Demarkhos is available, by appointment, to answer polite questions about our beliefs and our organization.

  5. MEET GROUP MEMBERS SOCIALLY (Foundation, 33)

    Due to the nature of our jobs (mine at least), "casually dropping by" is not possible but, just like the previous item, our Demarkhos is available, by appointment, to meet socially and discuss our beliefs and our organization.

  6. IF IT IS ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS, CALL AROUND. YOU CAN GET UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION (Foundation, 34)

    We are not currently associated with or located on any college campuses.

  7. TALK TO A MINISTER OF FAITH YOU KNOW (Foundation, 34)

    Our organization is new enough and small enough that few (if any) ministers know of our beliefs. The attempts I have made to contact ministers of other faiths for interfaith efforts have been rebuffed. However, if your minister wants to contact us, our Demarkhos is available, by appointment, to answer polite questions about our beliefs and our organization (as mentioned above).

  8. TALK TO A PROFESSOR (Foundation, 35)

    Same as previous response concerning ministers.

  9. VISIT THE GROUP'S INTERNET WEBSITE (Foundation, 35)

    The web site for the national organization is at www.hellenion.org/ and for our local group is at duttond.topcities.com/Hellenotamiai/.

  10. VISIT AN INDEPENDENT WEBSITE (Foundation, 35)

    Same as previous response concerning ministers.

  11. WHAT ABOUT NEGATIVE WEBSITES? (Foundation, 35)

    The Foundation recommends that "When you come across a website by such a person, make sure you take it for what it is worth." (36).

  12. WHAT ABOUT ANTI-CULT WEBSITES? (Foundation, 36)

    The Foundation recommends that you "Find out who is writing or sponsoring any 'cult or anti-cult listing' website - it should be right there on the site or quickly available by e-mail. Evaluate the contents of such accordingly." (36).

  13. USE YOUR LIBRARY (Foundation, 37)

    The book that best describes our beliefs is by Campbell. I have been unable to find books or articles written by independent authors regarding perceptions about our beliefs.

  14. WHAT ABOUT NEGATIVE BOOKS? (Foundation, 38)

    The Foundation recommends "If you do read negative books, check out the author's agenda. You may have to read between the lines." (36).

  15. TALK TO THE LOCAL POLICE (Foundation, 39)

    As far as I know, we haven't done anything (or been accused of doing anything) for the police to have any interest in us. Our meetings are held in a public place and none of the merchants have complained of us.

  16. FIND OUT IF THEY ARE FOR PROFIT, NONPROFIT OR TAX-EXEMPT (Foundation, 39)

    We are a not-for-profit organization established for religious purposes 501(c)3.

  17. GET COPIES OF THEIR INCORPORATION AND TAX RETURN DOCUMENTS (Foundation, 40)

    At this time, we haven't had the need or oppurtunity to file a tax return. Our most recent financial statements can be found at www.hellenion.org/members/Financial%20Statements%202001.pdf.

  18. LOCAL INTERFAITH ORGANIZATIONS (Foundation, 41)

    As mentioned above, local interfaith organizations do not know of our existence and attempts to contact them have been rebuffed.

The following are some resources to help Hellenic polytheist parents introduce our religion to their children.

Works Cited

Theoroi Hellenionou.
Approved
22-Dec-02.