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

[atreideslioness]

"Welcome to our last class of the semester," Ghanima said. "Today, I'd like to hear from you."

"We've covered another of religions in this class, looking at how and why they developed, and their basic belief structures. Now I'm going to ask you to think about what you've heard, and use your imaginations."

"I'd like you to picture yourself dropped into a hostile environment. You have no money, no allies, and the natives are quite hostile to outsiders. Luckily, you are exceedingly familiar with the planetary religion and it's resultant myths and legends."

"Out of all the various religions we've covered, which one would you find the easiest to use to your advantage in this situation? Or if you cannot picture yourself in such a situation, what religion that we've studied has intrigued you the most?"

[OCD up!]

Comments

Sign-In

[atreideslioness]

Godlike, one last time!

Listen to the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

It's rather short today!

Discussion One: Choices

[atreideslioness]

If you had to pick a religion to manipulate, which out of all the ones you've studied in class would you choose? Why? What strengths/weaknesses appeal to you? Is it the culture as a whole, or some aspect of the power-dynamic? Would you rather be a prophet or a messiah?

Or if you feel you cannot answer that question: which of the religions studied this semester has intrigued you the most? Why?


[OOC: Feel free to ping off each other and discuss all over the place!]

Discussion Two: The Ethical Reaction

[atreideslioness]

If you had to use a religion to your advantage, would you feel guilty about it? Do you have any ethical or moral qualms about pretending to be someone you're not?

Conversely, what if a role is thrust upon you? If a people see you as a prophet, or believe you to be filling a foretold destiny, would you have any qualms about walking away if you didn't want to do it? Could you let an entire faith suffer out of pure selfishness?

Talk to the TA(s)

[atreideslioness]

Should they be there!

Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

She's around, before & after class.

OOC

[atreideslioness]

I would be fine with ending the world today.

Re: Sign-In

[bitten_notshy]

Jack Priest

Re: Discussion One: Choices

[bitten_notshy]

"What I'm wondering is whether the most effective thing might be making up a religion of our own," Jack offered. "I could say blond hair is a sign of favor from the Gods, if I was on a dark-haired and gullible world, and that might be better than any real religion."

"But if that isn't an option, I'd implement polytheism in the Greek or Roman model. It seems to be the most natural to primitive peoples, and with so many Gods, one is bound to agree with whatever I want. And it allows a fitting place for oracles -- like, of course, myself, or my lackeys."

Re: Sign-In

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

Jonas

Re: Sign-In

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri Veila

Re: Discussion One: Choices

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"Something simple," Jonas said after a moment's thought. "Perhaps the Abrahamic religion since it's fairly straightforward - as compared to other religions - but also allows for some differentiation of people. It's a monotheistic religion which means everyone would worship one exclusive god thus eliminating the need for which god is better and why."

Jonas paused and pursed his lips. "Of course, you could then run into the issue of people not wanting to worship that god and branching off to become their own religion. Still, finding out which god is supported by the majority and using that to your advantage might mean an easier way into the society since you'd have the support of the many."

Re: Discussion Two: The Ethical Reaction

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I'd feel guilty," Jonas said, already feeling that for even thinking about it. "Being used, in any sort of way, isn't the most fun thing to feel. And when you're able to imagine how those who are being manipulated feel, it makes the situation worse."

Jonas could only imagine how he'd feel in the first circumstance but the second he knew from personal experience. "If the role is pushed upon you, at least you would have a choice to walk away. Yes, it would be a difficult choice but it would be your choice and you would be the one living with the consequences of your action, good or bad."

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[trigons_child]

Raven
You didn't say it had to be a good god

Re: Discussion One: Choices

[trigons_child]

A sick feeling started to develop in Raven's stomach at the question (and not just from the champagne last night). She knew her father was very accustomed to manipulating the religions of worlds he conquered so that he could proclaim himself their new god.

"I would consider it wrong to manipulate another culture's religious beliefs for my own benefit," she said shakily.

Re: Sign-In

[vanillajello]

Kate Gregson

Re: Sign-In

[endsthegame]

Andrew Wiggin

Re: OOC

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

There's zombie fog in Virginia. I think the world IS going to end today. GOODBYE SWEET WORLD.

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[vanillajello]

Kate came in early to talk to Ghanima. Three guesses why.

By now, she was kind of considering not taking a Monday class next term.

"So, I missed class again, last week. But I found out later it was all Fandom's fault." Beat. "I'm still sorry, though."

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

"I got your message," Ghanima said, regarding Kate with some mild concern. "Are you quite alright Miss Gregson?"

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[vanillajello]

Oh God how freaked out had she sounded when she was leaving that message? Kate resisted the urge to cringe.

"I'm fine," she said, going for a smile but failing just a little at making it totally believable. "Now."

Re: OOC

[atreideslioness]

I have more snoooooooooooooooow and very very cold winds. There's totally an apocalypse of some sort on the way.

Re: Sign-In

[likethegun]

Sam Winchester

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

"Losing an entire weekend rarely makes one 'fine,'" Ghanima pointed out gently. "Especially considering the brand of island madness that happened that particular weekend."

Re: Discussion Two: The Ethical Reaction

[likethegun]

"I would probably feel guilty," Sam said. "But I think it would depend on how I used the religion. If it was just to keep people from being hostile towards me long enough for me to find my way home...well, maybe I wouldn't feel that bad," Sam said, looking a little uncomfortable as he continued. "As for accepting a role, it would depend on the destiny. If the prophecy was for something bad, I'd like to think I'd be strong enough to walk away."