Constriction.

[smarriveurr]

It seems increasingly as though I should learn to program in Python.

For those to whom that is just so much gibberish, I present a link to the Hellenic rendition of Chick Tracts.

If neither of those makes sense... why do you read this blog, again? ;)

Comments

[firynze]

Except for that part about not elevating mortals to godlike status, that was pretty funny. Especially ironic considering they reference Herakles and Asklepios.

[smarriveurr]

Herakles and Asklepios were both at least demigods, though, weren't they? Herakles was the son of Zeus, and Asklepios of Apollo.

[firynze]

They were still mortals. So technically...

Besides, if you use the demigod argument, you're opening yourself up to "but Jesus was a demigod! Just not in your tradition!" which creates a whole world of confusion.

Better to leave out the whole "erm, we sometimes elevate mortals up to god status, if the circumstances are right" thing entirely. And go with "worshipping false gods" rather than condemning worshipping mortals.

[smarriveurr]

Demimortals! Vital distinction! It's like "mostly dead!"

Yes, but, like any good scripture-thumper, I can say "He wasn't a demigod, because your middle eastern skyfather is just a comforting myth, unlike Zeus."

Of course, it's kinda hard to condemn anybody to eternal anything as a traditional pagan. Most pagan religions were ludicrously open and syncretic. "Oh, you got a god for that? We got a god for that! Maybe it's the same god. Maybe your god is a kid of our god! Other way? Naw... but I hear you have a god for this other thing. We don't got one of those. We'll use yours!"

One thing I totally loved about the HBO series Rome was the scene where Pullo is in lock-up, methodically working through a list of gods, offering them sacrifices if they're the right god to help in this situation...

[troubleagain]

I read your journal because you're funny, and a good person, and crafty/creative and *most* of your posts are accessible to me, even though some go right over my head.

[steegness]

What's odd about this post is that those two points are related in my life: the man I talk about Python the most (owner of uselesspython.com) is also one serious Hellenic dude.

[smarriveurr]

... the world is full of strange and terrifying coincidences.