Subject: Re: Conversion

From: ian_hammond_cooper_at_...
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2001 15:24:01 -0000

Many of the arguments o conversion have related to the material and political benefits of joining the Empire, not necessarily the benefits of the state's official religion. Much of the Empire is not 'Lunar', some of those religions are able to co-exist with the state religion and are incorporate/tolerated/ignored and some don't.

But don't forget that the Lunars may also be able to convert people by providing them with an ideology that appeals to them more than their existing ideologies. Part of what the Seven Mothers is, surely, is a respinning of the successful missionary Lightbringer religion of the dawn, clothed in Lunar philosphy. Orlanthi will recognise social roles/positions and will find much that is familiar but may be feel *liberated* by the Lunar roles. Look at the number of posts here that saw Orlanthi society as sexist. Sartar was founded by religious conservatives - the children of those founders may not all share the same values. They may find the liberational theology of the Lunar way attractive and tempting, far more than the religion they grew up with. Most people grow up without choice, an 'invading culture' offers new possibilities and ideas some of which may be voluntarily chosen. Not all conversion is by fire and sword.

Ian Cooper