Brother Parvus realizes a problem for himself and his coreligionists. Having crossed an interstellar distance and landed on a planet with a very long day and night and two moons, they no longer know when it is Friday, Sunday, Advent, Lent, Easter etc.
There are several possible solutions:
question and dispense with religious observance;
worship God within without reference to days or seasons;
after their Exodus, someone might claim a new revelation that might even be accepted by a majority;
more probably, the clergy will make pragmatic decisions about observances in their changed circumstances;
Sir Roger argues logically:
"'...that God himself has commanded us to this war!'" (p. 58)
- and that he, Sir Roger, will cut down anyone who disagrees.
See also:
Enforced Unity Or Continued Diversity
Uncertainties About Gods
In SM Stirling's Nantucket Trilogy, some time travelers have the theological problem that they are practicing Christianity before Christ. See Endings And Beginnings.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I think you could have also added that Sir Roger, while reassuring his shaken followers, pointed out that Our Lord said the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way about. So, yes, I can see these exiled Catholics adjusting the liturgical year to fit their strange new worlds.
Sean
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