Re: Belief in the RW vs G

From: Loren Miller <loren_at_wharton.upenn.edu>
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 1996 15:34:08 EST


 "Carlson, Pam" <carlsonp_at_wdni.com> replies to Oliver:
> > Working from the supposition that in our world the
> > only way you can accept a religion is through faith (if this is even
> > true)
>
> Quite arguable, IMO. In the RW, most western religions make a big deal
> about faith, but I don't think many others do. Not all religions insist
> on a detailed and exclusive dogma which is (by its own definition) best
> for everyone.

Modern Western religion is for the most part dogmatic rather than mystical, and this is why it appears to depend on faith. Mysticism by no means requires that you take anything on faith, except the evidence of your own senses. Heck, go to a Pentecostal service and watch the people being possessed by the Holy Ghost. Is there any room for doubt in them that what they are experiencing is a Divine Gift? No need for faith in the mere existence of God is required.

> Just imagine what it's like for people in the RW who have seen (to them)
> tangible elements of the divine. It provides great joy and confidence,
> and sometimes, great commitment to purpose.

Not necessarily so. As someone who has for some time been seeking out mystical experience, I can say this much, that even if you undergo an experience you believe to be caused by a Divine actor, you can still doubt that the Divine essence which you experienced is worth worshipping.

Respect, yes. Care, yes. Worship, maybe not.

Of course, this points us directly at an old question on this list, what IS worship?

> Now, if you are talking about Gloranthans who believe that their
> gods have petty personalities and are quick to inflict punishment,
> (much like the popular modern conception of the ancient Greek
> gods), you get fear and desperate actions as well. Examples are
> the proprietary worship of the Malign Earth, Subere, Shargash,
> etc., or the strict adherence to geasa for cults like Yelmalio and
> Humakt.

Just one petty correction here. It's "propitiatory worship" (as in sucking up to the god) rather than "proprietary worship" (as in owning or being owned by the god).

Otherwise, I agree with the sentiments expressed by Pam in this paragraph and later.

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