19˚: in which the role of deity is examined

[watchmakergod]

Locusts today. A somewhat more--interesting plague, albeit one I sense will make walking a hazard. The prescribed solution to this one would be an equal plague of birds, though it would be interesting the size of the flock up to handling this task

Comments

[saunturing_down]

It is hard to respect any sort of gods that, as you stated, have no sense of maturity and often come off as children in their demands. They take instead of ask, and refuse to pay what they rightfully owe.

Maemi killed Dorian because he was having a temper tantrum. So his blood is the price to pay to make it up, but instead they are taking ours. There's a reason Greek and Roman mythology died and the current popular religeons are monotheistic; because in the end, no one likes a childish god.

[watchmakergod]

A natural--and a human--response, to those who abrogate the social contract. "Do unto others" appears to carry the meaning as well of "and permit to be done unto you" in the minds of many. However--would you carry this expectation of them if they did not wear human faces, or make a pretense of walking among you as simply another person?

The death of the gods of Greece and Rome was not entirely related to their power as exemplars for mankind. Human politics played a role; the vitality of gods went with the military power of their followers. What other reason would otherwise "peaceful" gods so often authorize the extermination of obstacles to their cause?

There may be something to your claim, however. Certainly for all the Hebrews railed against and bargained with their capricious god, they remained loyal to YHWH not because He lacked the habit of making unappealing demands or visiting tribulation on their heads, but because His punishment was inevitable. He was not a personified god, as Zeus, who was human in all but power and role;

[saunturing_down]

Because they wear the face of a human and clearly flaunt human attributes, they are more easily associated with humans and therefore more easily brought down to that level.

The Hebrews did remain loyal to their God because they could not see him. They were only told they were made in his image, but no one knows what exactly he looks like. Damn ineffable bastard.

[watchmakergod]

Interesting. But the ineffability--being unable to see God--seems equally undesirable.

The question remains--what does humankind desire?

[theinfinite_667]

Simple, for the City's deities. That they let me leave.

Why? I have better things to do than sit here and wait for curses to pass. This City doesn't matter to our worlds except to destroy them. What happens here does not impact them. So if I go back, and our world is destroyed, I don't care -- I'm nonexistent. Whatever. I just want to go back there.

[watchmakergod]

The means to your own end are present here as well. Why not seek them?

[theinfinite_667]

No, they aren't. The City has its own kind of immortality that nothing supercedes.

As for the Y-Data, I don't believe it will do anything significant here in the City. Its ties are to Old Miltia.

[theotokos]

Exactly why no one is going to take them seriously. So I've steered so far off from my mother's faith, but we were always taught that OUR God was respectable, merciful and full of dignity. If all they're going to do is parade around, whine, and bitch about, why should anyone take them seriously? WHY? Why should I spend an hour thinking DEEPLY of what I have to provide as a gold ribbon? Ridiculous, that's what it is.

[watchmakergod]

But--if you and I speak of the same native faith--was that god not also infinitely just, and jealous, and intensely interested in the private doings of mankind? And similarly demanding of sacrifices, though those of a more ethereal nature?