Re: 3 small Qs re Gods and Free Will

From: Douglas Bailey <trystero_at_mediaone.net>
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 14:29:26 GMT

>richard <richard.develyn_at_nwpeople.com> writes:
>Subject:=20
>
>I can think of three ways in which gods "appear" to be exercising free
>will.
>
>1) The way they answer divination,
>2) the way they grant DI,
>3) the way they communicate through dreams.

I don't think any of these are necessarily exercises of free will. Divination and DI are both powered (and instigated) by the mortal worshiper, and are limited (as, indeed, I'd think dreams would be) to areas of the god's influence. It's more like tapping an existing resource.

Actually it's a bit like saying the Internet exercises free will by providing information: the truth is that the information is out there, but you can only reach it if you know the proper rituals (Netscape Navigator ritual, anyone?) and have the proper links (a computer wth a modem or network link for the real world, the initiate's sacrificed Power link in Glorantha).

<ahem> Hope that wasn't too geeky an analogy. :)

Now, here's my follow-up question: are the gods *bound* by the Great Compromise, or do they choose to limit themselves according to its stipulations? If the latter case is correct, then it seems to me the gods really *must* have free will after all...

doug

• --------------douglas bailey (trystero_at_ne.mediaone.net)-------------- don't you let my letter get you down... --david bowie

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