Atheists and God

From: Julian Lord <julian.lord_at_wanadoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 09 Nov 2000 00:09:04 +0100


Peter Metcalfe :

> > > >That's a bit of a theological tail-chaser IMO : surely, by
> > > >_definition_ an impersonal god doesn't engage in personal
> > > >relationships with mortals ?
>
> > > I never said the relationship was "personal".
>
> >But the personal-ness is implicitly suggested by the use of the
> >word 'relationship'. Only people (or other entities having
> >personality) can engage in relationships, surely ?
>
> But it does not require that both parties to the relationship
> be capable of personality. "I love my country" is a statement
> of a personal relationship to a demonstrably impersonal entity.

Symbolised over here in Frogland by "Marianne" ...

Anyway, I'm buying your first point.
I _could_ argue that one's country isn't necessarily a "demonstrably impersonal entity", but not on this forum.

> >To start with : is 'God' within Creation or not (shades of the olde
> >Saint Plane debate) ?
>
> Split between the Loskalmi and the Rokari. The Loskalmi believe
> that the Godhead is Irensavel who is "totally separate" from the
> world, and thus hidden. The Rokari believe that God's ultimate
> identity is Makan who is immanent within the Creation, and thus
> invisible.

Now you're talking !!

So (easiest first), Loskalm has more atheists than Seshnela (makes sense).

The Rokari would see atheism as blasphemy ; but the Loskalmi would have a more varied approach to the issue.

That's cool info.

> >what sort of 'relationship' would the uneducated have with such
> >an 'impersonal god' ?
>
> Fidelity to the laws.

Obedience ? AKA ritual ...

> Development of their logical faculties through
> philosophy that allows them to appreciate the splendor of the same.

We're talking about the Loskalmi, right ?

I can see that this is the ideal of Hrestoli religion ; what I can't see is that it would be generally successful. I don't think most peasants would accept the Idealism, so I guess that the educational dimension of their religion must be basically lost on them. Bums on pews.

Which is fine for Glorantha BTW.

Julian Lord


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