'I Still Worship Zeus' is now on youtube

In 2004, underground filmmaker Jamil Said released a documentary about modern Hellenists living in Greece. In a little over an hour, the basics of the religion are explained, the viewer is introduced to a few Hellenists and their reasons for worshipping, we are shown some rituals, and we watch as the people who worship the Hellenic Gods are subjected to hate and ignorance because of it. The documentary is called 'I Still Worship Zeus' and is a must-see for any Hellenist. Required viewing, so to say. The DVD is hard to get these days, but thankfully, modern technology is catching up: 'I Still Worship Zeus' is now on Youtube!

"Thousands of years ago, the Ancient Greeks honored and worshipped the twelve gods of Greece. Today, ninety-eight percent of the population in Greece is Christian Orthodox. However, some natives of Greece--ranging from successful doctors and lawyers to university professors and artists--believe that the ancient Greek religion never died. Many of these believers continue the traditions of their great-great grandfathers and beyond who worshipped the twelve gods. And many try to emulate the values of the gods and, during some rituals, even dress like them. There are several organizations of these people in Greece, and their membership is estimated to be in the thousands (including some in the countryside who are supposedly too afraid to admit their beliefs). All of them are united in their plea to the Greek government to recognize their faith as an official religion. For 10 years, however, these requests have been ignored, in violation of European Union human rights laws. 

This documentary focuses on individual case studies of believers, as well as the private rituals and large ceremonies they perform--such as the yearly honoring of Zeus at Mount Olympus, which attracts followers from all over the world. Also featured is a multi-step Apollo oracle performed in Delphi at the temples of Athena and Apollo. The film acknowledges the skeptics, including an ancient Greek scholar, a political scientist, a psychologist, priests, journalists, and the general public. These skeptics examine, re-evaluate and challenge the validity, philosophy and politics of the twelve gods believers. The film provides insight into the devout citizens who adore ancient Greek history and seek to express their religious beliefs in whatever way they see fit, even the right to build temples to Zeus."

'I Still Worship Zeus' was--and is--a very important documentary for the Hellenic Polytheistic Community in Greece and world wide. Not everyone was happy with it when it came out, but it tells a story that needs to be told. It's a dated story, however, and we could do with an update on this 10 year anniversary. Some of the issues in the video have been resolved or at least managed, but others have emerged. We could use a world-wide outlook. For now, though, we have 'I Still Worship Zeus'. What do you think about this documentary?