tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482791619320478550.post3087505343870039162..comments2023-12-26T03:55:24.907-05:00Comments on Speaking in Foolish Tongues: Functional Gods of the NativesTWFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06016277303703254572noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482791619320478550.post-88261813173874120722012-10-01T22:20:29.857-04:002012-10-01T22:20:29.857-04:00PN, I'd heard of El, but I hadn't dug in t...<b>PN</b>, I'd heard of El, but I hadn't dug in to the history yet. That is pretty interesting the El evolved from a city leader. I guess the Canaanites were kind of following the Egyptian model of a ruler/deity. As you say, I suspect redefining good was a major part of the process! :-)TWFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06016277303703254572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482791619320478550.post-71429732568968016262012-10-01T21:45:21.863-04:002012-10-01T21:45:21.863-04:00I don't have theories of transition, but it is...I don't have theories of transition, but it is my understanding that in the Middle East the word 'El' referred to both the leader of a city and later the god of that city (and much later to the god of the general area). Perhaps the growth of the god from revered mortal leader to abstract feared force pushed it from able to acknowledge shortcomings to redefinition of 'good'. Or perhaps the deities became less mature and less able to own up to foibles. <br />PN<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482791619320478550.post-8799670264119874432012-09-28T14:22:33.816-04:002012-09-28T14:22:33.816-04:00Thanks prarienymph. I suspect that you are right ...Thanks <b>prarienymph</b>. I suspect that you are right about an aspect of authoritarian government system forging the god or gods into images of perfect goodness, but I think getting to that point may be a bit of a struggle, requiring the right circumstances. I've got to ponder that transition a little more. Do you you have any theories of that transitions that you like?<br /><br />I'm with you: it was sadly funny seeing that line about them worshiping out of fear. :-)<br /><br />TWFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06016277303703254572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482791619320478550.post-84381861305866279872012-09-28T11:10:13.313-04:002012-09-28T11:10:13.313-04:00I think it more likely that an authoritarian gover...I think it more likely that an authoritarian government system, not time or 'civilization', is more likely to lead to the conclusion that a deity (or ruler, often the same thing) is all good. It is part of authoritarianism.<br />Thinking and nuance show us that our leaders and our world is not 'all good'.<br /><br />I found it sadly funny that his proof that the Native's god was a devil was this its worshipers followed more out of fear than love. How convenient that Christian theology often redefines fear of God to be love or wisdom. <br /><br />- prairienymph<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com