A spring in a poplar grove on the side of a hill four miles from Bactra is sacred to the god of underground waters. Offerings are made for protection from earthquake, drought and murrain. I used to feel sorry for people asking for help where there wasn't any. Now I realize that they did not expect help every time and, in any case, were recognizing sacredness.
Theonis has had the shrine remodeled and rededicated to Poseidon and sends a priest to conduct rites. Local people identify Poseidon with the earlier deity, sometimes still use the old name and feel that the rededication might have benefited their horses. The poplars surround a low wall enclosing "...the temenos, the holy ground." (p. 102)
If I were a Patrol agent based in Bactra, then I would visit the shrine to meditate and participate in rites. However, the Exaltationists cynically use the shrine for their subversive ends:
the Syrians besiege Bactra;
the city defenders formulate battle plans;
the plans are known to Zoilus, government minister;
the courtesan, Theonis, learns the plans from Zoilus;
Theonis relays the plans to the priest who visits the shrine;
a high-ranking Syrian is an Exaltationist posing as a devotee of Poseidon;
he visits the shrine when the priest is there...
- as does Everard.
9 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I understand what you mean, but I could not participate in religious rites I did not believe were TRUE. In such cases, the right way to behave, if I was present, would be to stay off to one side or in the back.
And we Catholics and Orthodox still have shrines where we believe God has literally granted miracles thru one of His saints, Lourdes being one of the more famous examples.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
I think of a ritual as a dramatic performance. Indeed, drama grew from ritual in the Greek tradition. Thus, Hamlet did not exist but he speaks for us about life and death.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Yes, but the MEANING and intention of that rite is what matters. I could not participate in rites giving worship, say, to false gods. No, I would stay in the back.
Ad astra! Sean
All gods are one.
Kaor, Paul!
I cannot agree with that. Are "gods" like Moloch or the horrible Aztecs idols worthy of worship? No, there is only the ONE God.
Ad astra! Sean
Such gods represent the awesome aspect of reality but not the moral response of humanity so no, they should not be worshiped.
There are aspects of the Old Testament deity that would not now be worshiped.
Some gods have to be reclassified as demonic.
Kaor, Paul!
I agree beliefs about God and "gods" were also meant to express the awe felt by men before the splendor and terror alike of the universe.
What you said about the OT Deity belongs more to the times when the ancient Jews were fierce barbarians with correspondingly savage ideas about YHWH. But, as centuries passed God patiently instilled in them higher and purer beliefs about Him. One example I cited not so long ago was Elisha forbidding the king of Israel to slay the Aranaean soldiers who had tried to capture him. A process which was continued by the later prophets.
Ad astra! Sean
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