#xenia declaration

[witchy-shxt]

So I’ve seen multiple posts on Reddit asking “Can I worship the Gods if I’m ___”. Usually the asker is part of the LGBTQ+ community. I hate that anyone feels the need to ask this. (Part of the reason I ended up drifting away from Heathenry in the past was because I’m black, and didn’t want to screen for Nazis anymore.)

I’m giving my answer here, but I want to make it clear that I’m only speaking for open traditions (Greek, Heathenry, Roman, Egyptian).

YES. THE GODS ARE OKAY WITH IT.

They are our divine parents. They WANT to be worshipped. They love us and want what’s best for us. They won’t care if you’re BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, etc. Disability, mental health status, race, gender, sexuality, and nationality are human concerns—the gods are above that.

If you feel called to this path? GO FOR IT. YOU ARE WELCOME.

[crazycatsiren]

As a devout Hellenic Pagan, I consider it my duty to speak curses upon the bigots who violate the sacredness of xenia and do harm to the marginalized members of the community.

[arkefthos]

Just had someone follow me who had "Gender critical feminist" in their bio and directly next to it "not a radfem". Let me make myself clear - I am a proud transmasculine man and do not have time, space or energy to give to people like this. If you are gender critical, or whatever the fuck else you want to call yourself - because honestly, it's transphobia - fuck off right now. I do not want you in my space. You are not welcome.

[roibindallbhride]

Signing the Xenia Declaration!

I wasn’t aware of this beforehand, but now that I know it exists, I just want to let everyone who comes across me and read this blog know that I just signed the Xenia Declaration!

[cavorta]

The Xenia Declaration

This may be interesting if you follow a hellenic pagan path or a interested in that. Yesterday, I read about the so-called "Xenia declaration". I quote from their website:

"Xenia is Greek for “guest-friendship”, the ancient Greek virtue of hospitality. We may recognize modern words deriving from it and ones that are similar to it. The most notable being “xenophobia”, which is the fear of strangers and foreigners, derived from “xenos” which means “foreigner.” Xenophobia is, in many ways, the opposite of the virtue of xenia. Zeus is sometimes called Zeus Xenios, or protector of travelers. He protected the religious obligation to be hospitable to strangers, and for said strangers to be hospitable in return.

This is a declaration in a similar spirit of the Declaration 127 in modern Heathenry, except for those of us who are modern Greek polytheists. We also stand with the Declaration of Deeds, which is a similar effort to ours."

More details:

Xenia Declaration What is the Xenia Declaration? Xenia is Greek for “guest-friendship”, the ancient Greek virtue of hospitality.

[teawiththegods]

Have you signed the Xenia Declaration?

Of course

[thetheoicalled]

Xenia Declaration What is the Xenia Declaration? What is xenia? Xenia is Greek for “guest-friendship”, the ancient Greek virtue of hospitality.

Hello everyone! I’m so excited and pleased to announce that our community is coming together to be welcoming and uphold Xenia. Many of you know that I am an American, female, and LGBTQA+. While my country tries to limit rights I’m so encouraged to see this movement. 

I have proudly and a bit tearfully signed this declaration with my online names (since that’s how most of you know me) and have linked this blog. All to stand for equality and welcoming attitudes. 

Myself and “The Theoi Called” embrace Xenia and hope to see many of your names on the Declaration. 

In the next few days, I will do a more in-depth post about Xenia.