The player Athene became known many years ago for his videos on World of Warcraft and other games. However, for some time now, he has withdrawn from gaming and instead founded a religion.
Who is Athene? Bachir “Athene” Boumaaza is a Belgian streamer and content creator who became famous in 2007 for his videos on World of Warcraft. Back then, his videos largely consisted of trolling and an increased self-presentation as the “best paladin in the world.”
At that time, it was not as common as it is today, and Athene became one of the first “stars” in the young gaming internet.
A big question with Athene has always been how much of what he does is serious and how far he plays a fictional, exaggerated role. In that respect, he resembles the now well-known Twitch streamer DrDisrespect.
Over the years, Athene’s content changed, transitioning from World of Warcraft to Hearthstone, poker, and science to philosophy and charity. He is still largely active in these areas today.
Why we are reporting on Athene now: An hour and a half long exposé video by British journalist Chris Bratt deals with the current events surrounding Athene.
For some time now, Athene has been running a religion based here in Germany, on the Polish border.
This video discusses what the religion is supposed to represent according to Athene, but it also addresses that apparently, there are many problems and issues around Athene.
What’s behind Athene’s “Religion”
What kind of religion is this? In 2015, Athene founded the network “The Singularity Group“, created with the idea of helping and is in the spirit of the “IPower” also founded by Athene. Important pillars are logic and willingness to help.
Athene secured a large house for the network in Forst (Lausitz) in Germany on the Polish border. Here, the volunteer staff lives and keeps the network alive.
They are not paid, but receive food and accommodation.
Registered as a “religion,” according to Athene himself, this helps to avoid complications with payment and taxation.
The network includes projects like “Gaming for Good,” which are supposed to help combat suffering in the world, help children, and generally encourage people to think solution-oriented and make the world a better place.
This is how “Athensism” works: The actual religion behind the Singularity Group is referred to as Neuro-Spinozism or “Athensism.” This is supposed to help members achieve a better life in four steps:
- Step 1: Develop unconditional trust in logic
- Step 2: Discover what one’s own emotional drive is
- Step 3: Realize that life never feels complete or meaningful as long as “experience” is the goal
- Step 4: Selflessly “click”
The “clicking” is the core of the religion, around which everything seems to revolve, a kind of enlightenment. It refers to the point in life when one understands what has gone wrong so far and how to do everything better.
The further goals are logical decisions and solution-oriented action. Those who think in problems rather than in solutions are more likely to be part of the problem and not part of the solution.
What does the religion promise? According to the official website of Athensism, there are numerous benefits that one obtains through “clicking.” Examples include:
- Addictions (like drugs) are easily overcome, as the status for which they are needed has now been reached.
- The urge to eat is reduced, as one has less desire to reward oneself with it.
- Social anxieties and depression are said to gradually disappear, which is supposed to improve the ability to find a partner.
- All problems are supposed to disappear immediately as one begins to think in solutions instead of problems.
Problems with the Religion
Why “Athensism” could be problematic: For a long time, journalist and reporter Chris Bratt has been filming a documentary about the religion for the YouTube channel People Make Games.
In the hour and a half documentary, he uncovers grievances that the religion apparently suffers from. According to impressions, it is not such a harmonious religious community, but rather a cult. Some major problems include:
- Misogyny/Misandry: Athene himself describes women as manipulative and men as their victims.
- Hurtful content: Athene claims that depression is self-inflicted. Once one knows that one is depressed and still is, one deserves it. Because depression is tied to how one feels and to one’s experience.
- Ban on criticism: Criticism of the group, the ideas or Athene is generally prohibited by confidentiality agreements.
Furthermore, Athene himself makes several promises. The religion is supposed to be “the thing” in the future, and whoever “clicks” will have as much “pussy” as they want. Women would throw themselves at him when he approaches one in a bar and says he has “clicked.” Even at the headquarters, everyone gets as much as they want.
Problems of former members: Bratt spoke for his video with former members of the community, who told him that they wouldn’t wish what they experienced there on anyone.
One of them was even something like Athene’s partner and accused him several times of toxic behavior and emotional abuse (such as insults, humiliation, etc.). However, she returned several times and prohibited Bratt from using her statements because they had originated from emotional confusion.
Bratt himself also attempted an interview via a livestream with Athene, where he was muted for several minutes. It lasts nearly an hour and is visible in the video above.
What do you think of Athene’s development and his religion?
