Ivar lists the various "'...strong...particular reverences...'" (p. 220) in Aenean culture:
traditional religions
paganism
Cosmenosis
ancestor service
etc
"Ancestor service" is a new one. The plan outlined to Ivar by Jaan and the High Commander is that:
Orcans traveling around on newly arranged trade missions while fervently practicing their particular beliefs will inspire other Aeneans to redouble their own devotions;
meanwhile, Jaan's message does not contradict any of the various faiths;
"'Rather, the return of the Ancients fulfills all hopes, no matter what form they have taken.'" (ibid.)
The message has been designed to unite, not divide, Aeneans - at least initially. Ultimate cynical manipulation.
As a matter of fact, any secular political movement must, genuinely, not cynically, unite people despite their religious disagreements. Bad movements of necessity mimic good ones.
See also "The Divine Is With Us."
7 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Actually, I don't agree that Cosmenosism does not contradict what is vaguely called "traditional religions." Its pantheistic aspects certainly does contradict what Catholics believe about God and the uniqueness of the individual. And Commissioner Desai will later comment about the "internal contradictions" deliberately built into Cosmenosism by Aycharaych.
And there are far too many bad political and "spiritual" movements in our times. It is easier to be destructive than constructive. And, frankly, I believe most of them are from the political left (ion politics) or New Age sects, the most extreme "evangelical" Protestants, and fanatical Muslim jihadists (in religion).
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
The claim is that Jaan's message does not contradict any existing religions, not that Cosmenosis does not contradict traditional religions. Aycharaych did not invent Cosmenosis. Desai points out contradictions in Jaan's message.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
But Christianity was one of those existing religions. And most Aeneans of the dominant culture seems to have been either Christians or lapsed from that faith.
And those contradictions were deliberate on Aycharaych's part, to sow seeds of strife and conflict within any Cosmenosist theocracy. Which is what happened with Islam, for example, when disputes over the succession to the caliphate led to the splits between Sunnis and Shias after about AD 660.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Yes, except that you are still confusing Cosmenosis with Jaan's message. Only the latter came from Aycharaych.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I don't think I'm confusing it, if only because Cosmenosism is itself confusing balderdash.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
What I mean is simply that Aycharaych initiated Jaan's message about the Elders and the Others whereas Cosmenosis is just about the Elders.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
But it was still material Aycharaych seized on to adjust, revise, and manipulate for his own purposes.
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment