Challenge #02202-F012: Examining Uncertain Truths
Humans have had alot of time and reasons to think up Gods and Dieties.
How would they(aliens) react If they learn about the flying Spaghetti-Monster-Religion or the disturbing Cult(ure) of Cthulu.
Or even worse.... Boy-bands and their fanatic Fans !
Have fun :-) -- Anon Guest
Welcome to Xenotheology, the most complicated course in the field of omnistudies. We begin by acknowledging that all faiths are true, for interesting values of 'true'. You will come across materials in this field of study that will disagree with your own personal values. This is to be expected. However, I do not expect anger from you about this. This is a study on the nature of religion across all known cultures within the Galactic Alliance. This is not a debate about which one is 'correct'.
The professor waited a span of minutes for all the forewarned to leave the room. Some would stay for this introductory lecture, but never return. This was normal.
While we expect a certain theme from certain types of civilisation, there are those statistical outliers who will worship anything.
An image on the display board of the 'warning placard' from Terra, sent out on their extrasolar probes. There was laughter from some of the audience.
Theories abound in regards to why Humans will worship anything, some say it's a result of their pack-bonding instincts, others maintain that it is a symptom of their insanity. We are not looking into that. We are looking into their assorted faiths and the motifs and morals behind them. Thus, we begin with the most diverse set of pantheons known to one origin planet. The assorted faiths of Terra, past and present.
We begin with some of the ones with lasting power: Judeism, Hinduism, Tao, Buddhism, and Atheism.
An uncertain rumbling from the audience.
There are more popular and wide-spread faiths, some of you are members of those. However, these are the ones that have lasting power, even measured in subjective time by colonial Humans. These are faiths that have lasted for as long, if not longer, than recorded Terran history. Only two of the five operate on the concept of wrathful gods, and even then, one is the only one with a single deity.
Some have argued that Tao and Buddhism are more philosophies than religions, but they have supernatural entities upon which the believer can wield influence, therefore they are religions. End of discussion.
Many are prepared to argue about the classification of Atheism as a faith. In order to believe in Atheism, one must believe that supernatural entities that influence the physical world are not real. As such, Atheists have a relationship with, and a belief system in supernatural entities. More than a few have made successful arguments about the nature of Atheism being, in actuality, a relationship with the god or gods of the area. Some may even argue that an Atheist does worship, and the being they worship is themselves for being so darn clever.
These are what you might call the 'base' religions. The ones that have stood the test of time. Others, such as Animism, offshoots of the core five, Jedi-ism, and belief in the Flying Spaghetti Monster... all are more or less in relation to the cores presented here.
Yes, that does include this fellow.
An image of Cthulu popped up in the board, much to the amusement of the audience.
We will, of course, be exploring the fictional faiths that became realities in later lectures. But first, we will be exploring pop culture faiths as a means to understanding the mechanics by which fiction, fact, and faith can intermingle. This includes the First through Third Churches of Elvis, the Faith of Freddie, and the cult of All My Daughters.
Starting tomorrow, we will be thoroughly delving into what makes a faith maintain longevity. Study up on chapters one through three of Analysing Theologies. Good day.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / kevron2001]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends!
Send me a prompt [46 remaining prompts!]