Re: 3 questions on Free Will (and Humakt)

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From: richard (richard.develyn@nwpeople.com)
Date: Wed 22 Apr 1998 - 16:25:40 EEST

First re Humakt:

I have, BTW, read through a lot of the old posts, so I hope I'm not
re-treading recent ground.

I wondered why Humakti did not oppose resurrection in others. Then I
found I couldn't figure out whether they opposed undead and why?

Sure, they don't want to become undead, or resurrected, but why do they
care what happens to other people?

Next re Free Will:

One thing about gods and free will, BTW, here's a little theory:

What would happen to sun worship, on Earth or Glorantha, if one day it
didn't bother rising, rose late, or appeared coloured blue? I think a
lot of worshippers would give up and go worship something more
predictable.

ISTM that clarity and consistency are important in establishing
worshippers, and become more important the more worshippers you want to
keep.

So I think Gods sacrifice their free will in order simplify, and
therefore broaden, their appeal. If Humakt answered a DI call to
resurrect someone (and word got out) then it would severely shake
Humakti faith. So he ain't gonna do it - even if he could.

I think gods have to do what we expect them to do - or they cease to
become our gods. Actually I think this is true of any leader.

If you take that argument, that the lack of free will is due to a choice
to behave consistently, then I answer my own 3 questions about Gods and
Free Will. In particular, a god will send out a dream to you because
(were you in full possession of the facts) that is what you would expect
him to do in the circumstances. In other words, he HAD to send you that
dream, he HAD to answer your DI call and divination in that particular
way, because anything else wouldn't have felt like it was him (or her).

Richard
- --
_______________________________________________________________________
Richard Develyn Tel: (UK)-1732-743591
Principal Architect / Development Manager Fax: (UK)-1732-743597
Network People International http://www.nwpeople.com

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