Yeah to some it’s just an adaptation of some popular ancient mythology, but is that actually the case for anyone here?
(puts hand up)
I mean, I’m on record as trying to live my life by an interpretation of the aforementioned hate filled, ancient, and poorly written story book that’s been used to justify countless atrocities throughout history.
But Marethyu’s story is (consciously or unconsciously) an adaptation of Gnosticism, a popular ancient mythology which has used the bible among other sources.
Why should that be threatening to me as an evangelical? I’ve found Gnostic stories (like the Preacher comic book) to be as engaging and thought-provoking as those of any other religion I don’t subscribe to.
Of course Shoelip’s totally right that “There are a large number of people out there whose only reason for not being deeply offended by this game is that they don’t know it exists.” But there are lots of other people all along the spectrum.
Oh i did! And it was very interesting!! I like how you explain the different layers of existence! And the weird fluke about earth! Its so interesting!
As for the angels and hellbeings, so awesome!! I like how you added tge detail of how magic users of Ialdabaoth had to dilute it because it was unacceptable by the king, but the hellish ones are all about flexibility! It kinda makes sense really! evil has many tendrils in which to corrupt and manipulate, light shines straight and true, but very rigid
Ok, it was pretty dumb of me to doubt the number of moderates on this forum considering how peaceful it usually is.
@Havenstone Evangelicals take issue with other belief systems by definition. Evangelizing is the act of attempting to convert people to your particular interpretation of your particular religion. If you aren’t fighting against the beliefs of every other interpretation of your religion and every other possible interpretation of reality in general then you aren’t actually an evangelical. You’re just religious.
@Marethyu Describing the Bible as what it would look like to a non-believer who read it without someone else giving them an artificially warm and fuzzy interpretation can be highly offensive to believers, true. But my point was that you’re covering a topic that is inherently controversial and offensive. If you bring to light all the dark stuff that believers are unaware of, conveniently ignore, or brush under the rug, you’ll insult those believers. If you don’t you’ll insult the people’s intelligence. I suppose it’s just a matter of numbers and in that case It’s probably better to go the safe generic route. There are more Christians that most other demographics, so you may as well give them what they expect.
It’s just disappointing, because this could be so much more.
@Shoelip
What I’m trying to point out is that I’m hardly going into depth! I’m planning to just touch on it and maybe in the future I could decide to go more in depth but I doubt it. See I think you’re under the impression that religion is the entire foundation of my game. It’s not. But of course you are right about how controversial it is. However I can’t help that. Just because it is controversial that doesn’t mean I cant write this story and use it to further my story. I’m in no way going deep enough to insult anyone.
Also I didn’t know that this had elements of Gnosticism so I researched more about it and thought provoking is definitely the right word. The concepts in it are actually kinda reminding me of stuff in my story.
@Shoelip: Evangelizing is, literally, the sharing of good news. It’s speaking and acting in a way intended to attract people to a particular way of living. There are as you say quite a few religions that don’t “evangelize” nonmembers; but even the evangelistic religions have lots of ways of doing it, not all of which (by any stretch) are the fundamentalist war for the one true interpretation that you describe.
One can evangelize for something without believing that all the other options are valueless. One can also believe that a “fight every wrong interpretation” approach is pretty ineffective in winning people over to your interpretation.
Democracy also has its evangelists; not all of them believe that the US system must be replicated as closely as possible, or that we have nothing to learn from the evil and corrupting alternative systems of government.
Finally, “Evangelical” as a Christian identity label includes but isn’t limited to evangelizing, just as “Baptist” means more than just your views about dunking people in water. And my evangelizing, bible centered, Christ focused, activist, personal-relationship-with-God, emotive, rock’n’roll worship version of faith has so much that’s characteristically “evangelical” that it would feel disingenuous for me to call myself anything else.
Marethyu, yes, with anything where the real creative force (Cosmos) gets displaced by demigods who pretend to represent ultimate reality, you’re on well-worn Gnostic turf.
Like many games or movies it intruiges me alot when the viewer or in this case the player is shown that both sides can be horrible, representing the opposite extremes, light, and evil,
Traditionally angels would have been looked upon as a source of comfort, sanctuary, purity, when this changes the usual perception it creates a whole new perspective! Its amazing! It makes you wonder, "perhaps what is good is what exists in a balance! A form of neutrality right? To be in any extreme is bad but finding that right balance is just as difficult!
Like marethyu’s game! Iblis embodies chaos, destruction a definite nono for me! I favour ialbadaoh slightly more however! His form of control and rule is Absolution! Where one cannot exist without fear of him and there are not alternatives, cosmos created a chance! A chance for peace between the two extremes ! probably to cancel eachothe out? Idk
I also love these hybrid angel-demons, they seem to be the kind of race id gravitate to at the same time i do love the observers…this reminds me of something i came across once, a hermetic teaching i guess, “everything is the same but only differs in degree” so just like iblis and ialbadaoh they are both the same! The only difference is their degree in where they stand? Extreme dark and extreme light different sides of the same coin!
I have to admit i really am gonna love to see more of what mar is gonna make! :3
@Specter
Yes they are but those Nephilim aren’t what I wanted as a race. You know giant havoc wreaking monsters weren’t really the goal of me creating the hybrids.
@Xhandas_Antonidas
You got it exactly right! Neutrality or extremes? Which one is right? Will you ever truly know? Hehehe if that’s what you like then you’re definitely going to like where the story goes!
I’m going to be a wanderer , I wanted to be human like a prophet perhaps but you didn’t make that option, possibly a demon I mean ialdaboth is a total douche , I mean real God I got no probe with him but this guy DOUCHE
@Xhandas_Antonidas, It looks great and I’m sure the damage it deals is wonderful, but how’s assembly? Do I have to track down each piece of it in separate monster infested burial crypts, then fit all of it into a magic box from a previous quest before usage?
@Xhandas_Antonidas
WOAH! You really drew that? That’s really good! Man I wish I could draw like that. Holy staff all the way!!
@Doctor
No it’s a starter wep but I am working with special weapons obtained in different ways. Speaking of that I’ve cleared the path for a weapon for people who can survive Hell. Anybody know any weapons that are especially hell-like I guess?
different sides of the same coin!