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August 21, 2005
False Gods
It seems the theme of the weekend is false gods. First there was this week’s “Stargate SG-1," then a column at TSR about how to tell a real god from a false one.
In “Stargate SG-1" the new enemy is the Ori who profess to be gods and demand to be worshipped. Their acolytes are combing the galaxy proselytizing. In the episode, the people on a planet refuse to worship the new “gods," having just recently rid themselves of another set of false gods. The acolyte destroys the people and their entire planet.
My response? Well, to me nothing says false god like slaughtering everyone who won’t worship you. That to me always sounds like a false god or at least an acolyte who has seriously misunderstood their gods’ intention.
I think you can determine what is/is not the true God or His will by the effect. If the effect is hateful, destructive, and petty, then I’d be suspicious and tend to think it’s not true-god material. If the effect is loving, creative, and healing then that sounds like the God I believe in.
True, a lot of destructive, hateful stuff gets done in God’s name. Frankly I think it must really upset Him. I think that stuff is acolytes gone wrong.
Posted by Selena at August 21, 2005 11:22 AM