Hubris from Revelation: the Social Engineering of Ultimate Truths [Monday, Period 2]

[atreideslioness]

"In religion, a prophet is a person who has been contacted by, or has encountered, the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other humans. The message that the prophet conveys is called a prophecy," Ghanima began. "Claims of prophets have existed in many cultures through history, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, the Sybilline and Delphic Oracles practices in Ancient Greece, Zoroaster, the Völuspá in Old Norse, and many others. Traditionally, prophets are regarded as having a role in society that promotes change due to their messages and actions."

"And where prophecy walks, the concept of destiny is not far behind. Destiny refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. It is a concept based on the belief that there is a fixed natural order to the universe."

"Some believe that divine guidence may be ascertained by divination. In the belief systems of many cultures, one's destiny can only be learned about through a shaman, babalawo, prophet, sibyl, saint or seer. In the Shang dynasty in China, turtle bones were thrown ages before the I Ching was codified. Arrows were tossed to read destiny, from Thrace to pagan Mecca. In Yoruba traditional religion, the Ifá oracle is consulted via a string of sixteen cowries or oil-palm nuts whose pattern when thrown on to a wooden tray represents the 256 possible combinations whose named "chapters" are recited and verses interpreted for the client by the babalawo. Every society has their own way of fortelling a future, from worm entrails to crystal balls. My empire put its fate in the hands of a family that can walk the veils of time, forward and back, to see what lies beyond, and now they're stuck with the future that the Mahdi chose. Oracles can be a tricky bunch, and you must always assume that they may have a hidden agenda of their own."

[OCD UP!]

Comments

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[atreideslioness]

As if you're divinely inspired!

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[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis

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[vanillajello]

Kate Gregson

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[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

Chuck Bass

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[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

Jonas

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[trigons_child]

Raven

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[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen Haras-Uquara

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[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri Veila

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[noteviltwin.livejournal.com]

Andy Gallagher

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[momslilassassin]

Ben Skywalker

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[endsthegame]

Andrew Wiggin

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[cataclysmicluck.livejournal.com]

Zayne Carrick

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[furnaceface]

Jonothon Starsmore

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[findingelena.livejournal.com]

Elena

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[likethegun]

Sam Winchester

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[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin

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[iamnotallgirl]

Jill McTeague

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Jaina Solo

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[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah Levine

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Fiona Post

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[bitten_notshy]

Jack Priest

During the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

Take notes, pass notes, etc.

Re: During the Lecture

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

Even though there was still a lot of information, more of today's lecture rang a little more familiar to Jonas. Sure, he hadn't labeled any of the Elders as prophets but hearing definitions now and listening to examples, he was almost comfortable with labeling them as such.

Re: During the Lecture

[vanillajello]

Kate... was really paying attention this week. Paying attention, and thinking, thinking back to a conversation from a while ago.

"My father could see the future. It isn't as easy as you think."

Kate was deep in thought but listening attentively; watching Ghanima but thinking about her twin. She probably wasn't going to have many thoughts to share during the discussion.

Re: During the Lecture

[trigons_child]

Raven had robo-baby Ariela with her for class this morning and was doing her best to keep her quiet and content while still paying attention to the lecture.

Re: During the Lecture

[momslilassassin]

All told, this was generally Ben's least favorite subject.

He was taking notes, but those notes looked a lot like doodling.

Re: During the Lecture

[cataclysmicluck.livejournal.com]

This was one lecture where Zayne was actually really familiar with the subject matter. Not that he had a lot of precognitive visions or anything, but four of the Masters on Taris were among the greatest seers in the Order.

It felt nice to actually be on top of the topic on a day when he was exhausted.

Re: During the Lecture

[weetuskenraider]

This hadn't been a fun topic of conversation last semester, and it wasn't any more fun now. Tahiri wasn't taking notes, and not even trying to look like she was, but she was doing a decent enough job of passing for focused on the lecture. She wasn't, really, and felt bad about that.

Re: During the Lecture

[furnaceface]

Jonothon only managed to look mildly put off by the subject matter, today, idly tapping his fingers against his knee as he listened to the lecture.

He really didn't care to learn about the future. Especially if tomorrow only promised more of what his todays typically involved.

Re: During the Lecture

[findingelena.livejournal.com]

Elena was frowning to herself, wondering about fate and destiny and all of it as she took notes.

Re: During the Lecture

[likethegun]

Sam couldn't help but think about Carver Edlund as he took his notes, paying special attention to all the parts about prophecy and divination.

Re: During the Lecture

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah was paying attention since she knew that divination could sometimes cause trouble.

Class Discussion: Prophets vs. Oracles

[atreideslioness]

"To some people, the terms prophet and oracle mean two completely different things. To others, it's two names for the same function," Ghanima said. "Either way, prophecy - and religion - can be easily controlled and distorted through the words of mere mortals. What are the differences between prophets and oracles to you? What are the similarities? If you wanted to control a religious group, which option would you use? Why? Would you be the oracle yourself, or simply twist the words of the divine to suit your own purposes?"

Re: Class Discussion: Prophets vs. Oracles

[momslilassassin]

"It depends on the religious group," Ben said, waving wryly at his Jedi robes. "We aren't exactly worshiped. And glimpsing the future is seldom a gift."

Re: Class Discussion: Prophets vs. Oracles

[cataclysmicluck.livejournal.com]

"Most of the Jedi Masters at my Academy are actually gifted with visions," Zayne said. "And they're respected for it, but they're definitely not worshiped or in a position to control anything but the Taris Academy."

As far as Zayne knew.

Re: Class Discussion: Prophets vs. Oracles

[momslilassassin]

And Ben's grasp on ancient history wasn't enough to be able to contradict anything.

"My dad and cousin could see the future," he offered. "So far, I can't."

Not that he'd really been trying.

Class Activity: Divination

[atreideslioness]

For when you get tired of talking about oracles, you can try your hand at being one. At various stations around the room, Ghanima has set up various fortune telling equipment. Tarot cards, books on chiromancy, crystal balls, the I Ching, and various types of runes. Pair up, and either try to divine your own destiny, or that of your partner, and discuss.

[OOC: As it says, have fun! Feel free to handwave, mod the equipment on your table, or use the power of the internet to get a reading for your character.]

Re: Class Activity: Divination

[trigons_child]

Raven decided to give the tarot cards a try, asking the question of if her father would ever find her in Fandom. The card representing "something to be embraced" made sense: Temperance, or balance, as did her role or attitude -- a fear of failure. She wasn't sure what to make of her environment being represented by The Fool (though she was sure Anakin would have a lot to say about impulsive actions, given the bomb incident). Her hopes and fears were represented by the Four of Coins -- a balance of power and suspension of conflict. The ultimate outcome card was the Two of Staves reversed, which was supposed to mean a stalemate. That had her a little worried. But they were just cards, right?

Re: Class Activity: Divination

[cataclysmicluck.livejournal.com]

Zayne glanced at a crystal ball and decided to take a shot at that. Maybe focusing on an object like that would help him open himself to a vision the Force might provide. It was worth a shot, right?

[OOC: I'm around for like an hour, then on a plane and afk until around 7 Central.]

Talk to the TAs

[atreideslioness]

Once they tag in.

Re: Talk to the TAs

[rocksthescarf.livejournal.com]

Chuck was there, yep. He wasn't really into the whole fortune telling thing so he'd just be staying away from that, thank you.

Re: Talk to the TAs

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah was here and weighing the ideas of the different types of divination.

Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

She's around although the player is slow before and after class.

OOC

[atreideslioness]

Is it too early to go back to bed?

Re: OOC

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Never, omg. I got woken up by a phone call and have yet to MOVE from bed omg.