Re: Terror in War - Long

From: donald_at_zY3kgB4WKfGbrvSsqyynRLFxvwp1_C6_BBr1Nv1s6hCpeoFyM_PawutHVwyQw8hMdsNX-
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:44:59 GMT


In message <52211415a98847c4bc321d2c49d6ad00_at_u376bu5oFeiYIRW7AuLDLnJbRwIBB9Xn9LsGoM27N7MQBO7vgy97SXvkXL4-duYHpesHgT7ZNFL3jR8fM3x6e1GH2-WyUYA52rAhNAXxmPlSzC66.yahoo.invalid> Dan Guillou writes:

>We don't mean the same thing by "fanaticism". I think that perhaps I
>would use the word "zealotism" for what you're talking about. When I
>use "fanaticism" I'm talking about the strength of ones convictions,
>about how important religion is for how one thinks about the world and
>ones place in it, how likely one is to formulate self-esteem (or
>judgement on others) in religious terms.

I'd use the word "devoted" to describe this state of mind. Fanaticism or zealotism implies an intolerance of other ways which is incompatible with a multitude of religions and forms of magic.

>I've always thought of Glorantha as a place where religion is as
>important to peoples lives, as christianity would be in the RW, if
>christians were able to go the Via Dolorosa, see the Lord with their
>own eyes, experience for themselves how their sins were actually lifted
>from them, sing along with the angel choir (is that in grief or in
>triumph? ...I've always been a bit unclear on which one it is supposed
>to be) and do this _every_ easter.

I see this applying more to magic than religion. Sure there are individuals who follow a particular god's path and experience their successes and failures. But the majority watch major rituals from the sidelines and use magic from various sources.

> And also -perhaps almost as
>important- a place where minor magical miracles, based on worldview or
>religion or whatnot, are as matter of course, as electronic cash
>transfer to a 7-11 shop assistant.

There is a case to be made that the modern temple is a shopping centre (mall for USAns) and the shop assistants are minor clerics performing magical rituals they don't really understand.

>The desire to convert others, now, that is something else. Sure there
>are examples... the Lunar way, EWF, the Return to Righteousness
>Crusade... But I don't think that kind of thing is exactly typical of
>Gloranthan religion?

Agreed, it's no more common than it is in the RW where the desire to convert is an attribute of Christianity and Islam among the major religions.

-- 
Donald Oddy
http://www.grove.demon.co.uk/

           

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