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Re: Literature in the Flanaess - Philosophy (Score: 1) by GVDammerung on Tue, May 24, 2005 (User Info | Send a Message | Journal)
Hi CSL,
Interesting note of Das Kapital as Marx opined that "religion is the opiate of the masses." That is essentially where the Rationalsts take exception.
The "gods" of GH are comprehensible and that comprehension undermines the idea of a true "faith." Gods die. Mortals become gods. There is no awe of the divine for the "divine" is not truly divine. Gods are just jumped up mortals, even while their abilities are impressive.
Certainly, one could have a "religious science" with Rao or any number of other "gods." I prefer the conflict between rational thought and blind faith.
This helps explain why technological progress on Oerth is so halting - science and the rational thought that gives rise to such from attempts to understand the natural world's laws is suppressed by religions bent on selling faith in the divine.
Don't question - believe. That is the fundamental truism of religious belief in the gods of GH. Even Boccob - who carefully defines magic in terms of himself. To say nothing of so radical an idea as "science" or "technology."
While the notion of religion sponsoring rational thought is a nice thought. History shows too much that goes the other way. Even today. Stem cells? It makes GH too much of a "happy land" for my tastes to have religion and rationism coexisting peacefully.
