MYCENEAEN MYSTERIES : THEOLOGICAL ANSWERS              

   The purpose of this document is to explain some of the positions
of The Myceneaen Belief system that are considered important and
controversal to other Religious groups, many times to the point
where they will place their views not only in public view but to
enforce them upon others not of their beliefs 'for their own good'.
These positions are important, as they help show where we stand and
also explain a bit more of what we are really about. These views
are not forced on the membership of the Laos, but are the official
accepted policies, beliefs and viewpoints of the organization in
todays world - based on the overall religion.

1. Contraceptive Devices.
      We realize the importance of life, as most nature-oriented
   religions do, and have a high respect for it and for the right
   of all to live. On the other hand we strongly believe in the
   right to choose one's path and actions in life. Thus, because
   of these factors, and in consideration of the high risk of
   disease in todays social circles, we support the use of all
   non-destructive Contraceptive means to prevent the spread of
   disease and the possibility of unwanted children being conceived.
   We do not support, on the other hand, operative contraception
   thru vasectomy or sterilization - since these cause an actual
   mutilation of the body and because they are both questionable
   in recent studies as causes of increased cancer rates. We have
   a strong belief in taking responsibility for our actions, and
   to utilize contraceptive devices is to take responsibility in
   ones sexual activities.

2. Homosexuality/Bi-Sexuality.
      These concepts in Sexuality are not nor ever have been in
   our beliefs or those of the original Myceneaens anything but
   Natural. To call such actions and feelings perverse, or worse,
   is to deny the realities of nature and of the human condition.
   We are born bi-sexual annd make our choices based on environmental
   enforcement. We accept Homosexuality and Bi-sexuality as true
   parts of life, not something to be encouraged nor discouraged,
   but accepted as normal.

3. Public Nudity.
      This one is obvious and simple, throughout most of the
   Neo-Pagan community it has always been : if you feel comfortable
   and won't be making too many others uncomfortable then feel
   welcome to any level of dress or undress that suits you. It is
   suggested that amoung a Damos that a full level of acceptance
   and knowing each others bodies, at least by sight, be eventually
   accomplished to improve the ability of the Damos to work as a
   true group bound in the love and trust they have declared (if
   you can't trust to be nude in someones prescence you probably
   can't trust them entire). This will be difficult for some, it
   is suggested that if a member seems uncomfortable with this that
   they be introduced to it slowly by the rest of the group so
   they become more comfortable. Not only does this build trust,
   but it can also help in keeping tension levels down and to
   improve health of the group overall in some ways.

4. Smoking.
   The smoking of tobacco in todays society is deeply enmeshed,
   but slowly people are bring the realization of the damage of
   utilizing this herb as an addictive substance regularly. We
   also understand the difficulties of eliminating the effects
   of it upon the body in withdrawl. Considering all this, there
   shall be no useage of such materials within ritual or within
   a celebration's public confines (the exception is the use of
   pure, natural, unchemically treated indian tobacco for use in
   American Indian smoking rituals - which are rare and very
   limited in scope or exposure). If a smoker choses to do so at
   a celebration they must go off away from the Damos and Guests
   to a secluded area where their second-hand smoke cannot affect
   anyone else in the group. The Damos should join in on trying
   to help the smoker get past the addiction and back to a sense
   of personal worth where such is unneeded (all addiction is
   caused by a sense of personal inferiority and incompleteness).

5. Ritual Drugs.
   The use of these substances should only be within certain very
   controlled circumstances, under extreme supervision by people
   who are experienced and obviously personally balanced in the
   matter. The use of illegal or highly controlled drugs is not
   encouraged and anyone choosing to do so are doing so as an
   individual, not as a represenative of the Laos. Again, the
   main word is caution with all drugs if you don't understand all
   the risks then don't use the substance.

6. Alchol.
   The Myceneaens were the inventors of Beer and several other
   naturally fermented alcholic drinks, and so we cannot
   deny this part of the past nor the religious aspects of it.
   Any naturally fermented alchol is acceptable for libation in
   Ritual and in celebration, but the taking of distilled alchols
   shall not be within Ritual (its alright for celebration though).
   Unless a ritual is specifically to Dionyseus, the taking of
   enough alchol to be considered 'Drunk' in circle is to be
   frowned upon and felt offensive. Becoming drunk in a celebration
   if so wished is acceptable, so long as one maintains the rules
   of hospitality and does not attempt to do such morally wrong
   things as driving intoxicated (Hosts be warned that if a guest
   is so intoxicated you are under obligation to make sure they
   either have a ride home with a non-intoxicated person or that
   sleeping space, at least upon your floor, is made available to
   them). Alchol in small amounts acts as a natural remover of the
   mental shields that can block ones ability to perceive the powers
   of nature and oneself, thus being useful in this way.

7. Abortion.
   This is for many groups one of the most discussed area of
   personal choice. In Myceneae belief, ones spirit is not found
   within an embryo until the finish of the third month, and so
   we support the right of a woman to choose wether or not to
   take such an action, but do want her to consider all of the
   available options before doing such. Life is precious, both
   that of a mother and that of a child, but an existing life will
   hold priority over a yet-to-be born, since if an abortion does
   occur the spirit of the child will find another body to gain
   re-entrance into the lifecycle. We do support the use of all
   natural abortificent herbs and drugs over physical operations,
   but again this is the choice of the mother and not for the
   religion to enforce.
 
8. Pornography.
   We believe that the true pornogrpahy in the world is depictions
   of humanities cruelties unto itself for the purpose to glorify
   it and encourage it. This means we label books and movies of
   a purely violent nature to be Pornographic (Examples of such
   are 'Faces of Death', 'The Green Berets' or any of the numerous
   'slasher' films). Additionally we feel that films of a sexual
   nature that show women as inferrior, mere sex objects or actually
   depict violent rape as something its not to be pornorgraphic
   (ex: The Story of O). We have no objections to sexuality in
   books in films, displays of nudity or love within such. We
   also oppose Child-pornography, beastiality and slavery of any
   kind.

9. Sexual Responsibility.
   Myceneaen beliefs have nothing in opposition to group sex or
   group marriages, from Menage-a-trois to full multi-faceted
   tribal families. We do have a strong ruling of community to
   regulate ourselves, and to reduce the risks of disease and other
   related problems. Any member of a Damos who has a sexually
   transmutable disease should warn all other members of the Damos.
   When a person enters into a Damos they must expose such info
   to the members, to protect all. If a member of a Damos is in
   a relationship with someone outside the Damos they should refrain
   from sexual contact with members inside the Damos, unless sure
   that they are clear of such afflictions. Relationships within
   the Damos should be encouraged, as this will prevent an influx
   of diseases from outside unknown sources. Members of a Damos who
   are sexually active in any way should seek out a medical check
   for such problems routinely and should share the results with
   the members. Keeping everyone within the Damos healthy is of
   import to all members of the Damos. Remember a Damos is more than
   just a group of friends and acquaintences as is common in most
   Neo-Pagan groups, it is an extended family and community.

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    *          Copyright (C) 1989 By  Joseph W. Teller        *