Darwi wrote:
> The only new books I read were 3 prequels, therefore I can not say
> anything about religion intentions of the 2 new writers of Dune.
> But for your discussion, especially if it is involving the F. Herbert
> work I think that first and foremost is im****tant to define term
> 'GOD'. Todays definition of the major monotheistic religions implies
> that the 'GOD' is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent,
> omnibenevolent. Neither of those qualities was attributed to any of
> the DUNE characters. In polytheism you have a bit 'lesser' gods, which
> abilities are limited, and duties are limited. If you apply that
> definition than you can declare some character gods, in the same way
> ancient Roman emperors were declaring themselves gods. So in the
> polytheistic sense Paul can be a god.
>
> My opinion is that F. Herbert did not wished to include the
> monotheistic God (the God) in his writing simply because one can not
> have interesting and tense story with omniscient, omnipotent,
> omnipresent, omnibenevolent main character.
Well, there were people who believed in what you are calling "The God"
in Dune ref. the Orange Catholic Bible, but it was not a main component.
I also believe that FH was likely, like his Bene Gesserit, essentially
atheist or agnostic, although I really have nothing to back that up. I
feel he didn't include that character as it would be like having the
Easter Bunny as a B.G. Acolyte. Although FH doesn't include the
traditional "Guiding/Creating" God, he does reference a "higher plan"
and the sense that there might be something, other than the described
characters/groups guiding or influencing things.
with such character as
> sup****ting character you can have a story (remember Q from Star Trek),
> but not as main character. Unless you limit him/her in some way. But
> if you do limit the God than it is not the God anymore. So F. Herbert
> did gave different views about the God and the religion in his
> stories, because he was describing the human nature. I clearly
> remember that Chani never thought that Paul was the God nor a god
> (polytheistic one). She knew he has some strange qualities, but for
> her he never was a or the god. Same was with Leto II, not a single
> Bene Gesserit reverent mother considered him a god and definitely not
> the God. On the other hand, Fish Speakers did. But their opinion did
> not made him the God.
I think this is what makes GEoD such an interesting read. We, the
reader, are in on Leto II's "true" nature, even as we watch the reaction
to his "Godhood" in those around him, especially Nayla and Moneo, who
should have know better.
It just made interesting point of how people can
> be forced to believe strangest things. After all, even today you have
> people which believe that computer or Elvis is god. But every one of
> them, including a computer or Elvis can be declared gods in
> polytheistic sense.
Indeed, there are still people who believe in the Christian God, even
given the improbable stories and effects laid down the the Bible. Not to
mention all the other improbable offshoots or original
gods/demons/controllers/creators, most who seem to have been
active/visible in earlier times, but who, for now, seem to be happy to
be invisible.
WM
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