Re: Different theologies seeing the same thing

From: Peter Metcalfe <metcalph_at_quicksilver.net.nz>
Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 18:54:55 +1200


On 5/16/2013 7:43 AM, drscience3000 wrote:

> For example, would a Yelmi assume that the Orlanthi sun god, Elmal, exists or just that Orlanthi refuse to call it "Yelm" in order to not acknowledge Yelm? And if it is the latter, how do Elmal followers get magic without the right names and rites?

The Dara Happans know that the Orlanthi worship a rebel god which they call Elmal. They also know that the Orlanthi believe that their rebel god is the Sun.

The Orlanthi know that the Dara Happans worship Yelm the God of Stagnation. They also that Dara Happans believe Yelm to be the Sun.

There are many ways in which the two sides cope with this apparent contradiction.

  1. The other side are deluded liars. Simple, effective but not very satisfying.
  2. The other side may believe they worship the Sun but in truth they are worshipping divine energies that have some association with the Sun but do not actually proceed from the Sun. The Dara Happans, the Orlanth believe, worship the Stagnant Autocrat of the Sky who was a different celestial body that was put down by Orlanth. The Orlanthi, the Dara Happans believe, worship the Light that comes from the Sun after it proceeds through the body of their murderous God but they do not worship the Sun itself. Only Scholars believe this.
  3. The two deities are different masks of the Sun. To the Dara Happans, the Sun shows his Yelm mask while to the Orlanthi, his mask is that of Elmal. Only Lunars believe this.

--Peter Metcalfe

Powered by hypermail