While Rational Hedonists are neither theists nor polytheists--we do not worship the Greek gods or believe they intervene in human affairs. However, we cannot simply isolate philosophers like Epicurus (or any Greek philosopher) from the rich Greek culture in which he lived.  His ideas emerged from a society deeply rooted in mythology, art, and intellectual discourse,

     Although Rational Hedonists honor the symbolic significance of Estia, Prometheus or even Gaia in certain ceremonies--it is not in an act of worship, but by expressing through the needs of human nature the creative spark of artistic and poetic license, drama, storytelling, and education, using personification* or anthropomorphism**.

     While Hellenismos is an example of a modern, polytheistic reconstructionist religion that worships the Greek gods and seeks their favor, we reject the idea of god-revealed sacred texts.

     It has always been the human voice through which the decrees of gods have spoken. It has always been through human hands that holy texts have been written. However, through poetry, rituals, and vivid storytelling, Rational Hedonists can temporarily suspend reality for the sake of breathing life into nature and mythology, using them as metaphors for human experience rather than for worship. 

     .... And besides all that, it's fun--so lighten up ... It's not like Zeus is going to strike you with a lightning bolt!

* Personification -- figurative language giving inanimate objects or natural phenomena humanlike characteristics in a metaphorical way.

** Anthropomorphism-- where non-human things display literal human traits and are capable of human behavior.