Religion: General

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Discuss Terrapyre Religion here. Or start your own concise topic in the Celestials section.

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Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:28 pm

EJ wrote:

*singsong* Jess? Jessica? I know you're lurking... sign in and let's talk about the difference between religion and faith and why Terrapyres might sometimes belong to a denomination other than the Living Word... perhaps even other than Christ-centric... Wanna go there, grrl? I'll go with you.

EJ

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Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:30 pm

Brianne wrote:

Uh-oh, Jess . . . . We lurkers have been caught!

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Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:32 pm

EJ wrote:

Totally caught

I know we're touched on this topic in the past, but in the spirit of allowing writers to truly customize their characters (not just their decks LOL) I'd like to explore this further. There is such comfort that can be found in denomination and a great many people need the structure to guide them on their path.

I should also probably rephrase my earlier post. "...a denomination other than the Living Word..." That isn't correct, of course, as the Living Word is faith not religion and so not a denomination unto itself. Which is why a Terrapyre could so easily have room in their life for religion/system of beliefs/denomination.

Wow... am I making sense? The Sabbath is usually my clear-headed day :}

EJ

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Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:33 pm

MG wrote:

...I think what you're saying is that, other than the very basic elements of faith, Terrapyres might have a different system of how their beliefs play out. For instance, one might attend an outgoing, rock-band-on-the-platform, hand-raising church, and another might attend a more conservative, introspective service that is intended to worship through quietness rather than a "joyful shout."

I could be totally wrong, but I think that's what you're saying.

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Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:33 pm

EJ wrote:

That's it exactly, Abbie Good thing you can read my mind like that XD!

EJ

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Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:34 pm

MG wrote:

Hee. We have ESP!!! xD

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Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:37 pm

Luz wrote:

This is a very nice touch, EJ. I have always thought of Maria in terms of the Catholicism I saw during trips to our family's estate in Mexico and I wondered how this might play out in the Mardi Gras 3000 universe. I welcome this ability to add even more unique attributes to our Terrapyres.

I assume that "Catholic" Terrapyres would not be overly concerned with the pope?

Luz

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Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:27 am

EJ wrote:

Exactly, Luz. Right.

More on Terrapyre faith and religion is brewing over on the Prayers thread. I got a tiny bit off topic :}

EJ

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Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:46 pm

Erik Egan wrote:

I was also really excited to hear this because I had always assumed it was true! I have two Terrapyres whose religion is a popular VR denomination that a lot of coders (programmers) follow in post-Prime Time. Glad to see I wasn't crazy off track.

Erik

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Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:39 pm

papa nurgle wrote:

When I think of Terrapyres, I see them running not only the gambit of Christian religions but also rejecting man's religious wrappings and worshiping at any time for any reason the individual Terrapyre finds reasonable. Some could use the trip on the maglevs to and from work to quietly pray and reflect on the day. Others could use dawn or twilight (heh) a times to worship with song and praise before searching for the Grail. It would all depend on how the Terrapyre was raised and what insight the Terrapyre's nonlinear memory gave to them about how to worship.
<Erik>
A Living Faith is something very personal to each Terrapyre. While they are very happy to share their worship and faith with any who would want to understand, many people may not be able to handle how open ended such a thing can be. Many Terrapyres and Humans need the structure of religious organizations to feel that they are 'doing it right' even if they know there is no one true answer in how to worship. Sometimes structure is its own reward.

Could there be Terrapyres who feel their way of worship is the only way? If so what would they do to those who do not worship the way they feel is correct? What about those who would condemn their way of worship?

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Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:29 pm

NinjaJess wrote:

"Brianne wrote:
Uh-oh, Jess . . . . We lurkers have been caught!"


We sure have, Brianne. And I was a bad girl to stay away for so long. I have to make time for what's important and MG3K is. I won't preach to the choir. Nuff said.

I was thrilled to hear about the clear lines between faith and religion being drawn in MG3K. Terrapyres are all about finding what's true in their hearts (like Matt is saying) and so some of them would find comfort and the "yes, I'm doing it right" structure of a denomination. It just makes logical sense and that's the best way to build a world, no?

As for pokey little Terrapyres who think their way is the only way... well, there are certainly humans like that, aren't there? Big sigh. I suppose some Terrapyres might be like that. I would hope that most of them are like Angel -- I can't imagine a more punk Christian person but I'm certainly never seen her force religion on anyone. I remember she once posted on the forum, actually, that NTC (New Testament Christians -- which I think the Terrapyres' Living Word is kinda based on) don't actually believe that trying to convert across denominations is right. Like, it's a sin kind of thing. (Angel? Correct me if I'm wrong, okay, honey?)

Overall, Christ's teachings were (and are certainly being painted in the MG3K mythology) gentler than the fiery stuff found in the Old Testament. Not to take the spunk out of the fighter Christ was at times (I know this part of Him is also important to Terrapyres) but I don't really see Him as passing lessons down to Terrapyres that they should go around brow beating anyone. More teach through example. Sway by showing rather than telling. lol

A Terrapyre who might ignore this gentler approach... I have to say I think of Maria She doesn't impress me as a gentle, patient, huggy type. Also, I think Tyger might be a bit fast to judge. Luz? Sha? Weigh in. Those are your characters, after all.

Jess

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Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:12 pm

Brianne wrote:

Jess? Angel did say that. In her blog. =]


Quote:
For a New Testament Christian does not come from a place of hubris. Does not argue with other Christians. Does not convert cross denominations, cut down other Christians, or even point out things we may see as inaccuracies in other scriptures.


I've always thought about Terrapyres and organized religion as I do in RL. It's not necessary, but if it works for you? Great. Awesome. If that's what you need to find Christ? Go for it. But the point, is the relationship that you have with Christ. That is what *is* necessary.

As for some Terrapyres thinking that their way is the only way? They need to read EJ's blog.

LOL

Okay, seriously, though. I think most Terrapyres wouldn't really have the time to be forcing their opinions and their religion in someone's face. They're Immortal, of course, but I also see them as very realistic with their time between the Grail dropping. Training. Rumbles. More training. =] Helping Raws figure out what the heck is going on. Feeding their lairmates. =] There are so many other things that they could be doing than trying to convince someone else that *their* way is right.

And I think that most (not all, because no one is exactly alike) would see that there isn't *their* way. There is *His* way. =] The end.

Like I said, they should read EJ's blog. =D

Brianne

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Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:36 pm

MG wrote:

^There are a WHOLE lot of things humans should be doing besides running around trying to "correct" everyone on thinking their way is right. There are likely some Terrapyres that feel this is so important that they will neglect some of the things that really are important to do it.

Now, for instance, someone who believes that there is a standard of truth and corrects someone else who claims to believe it but is acting/living otherwise, that's different.

Akin to Paul rebuking Peter openly, literally "I withstood him to the face," because he said he was down with the Gentiles ("YAY" says the Gentile me) but then was trying to kind of...pander to Jews by not associating with them. That was a case where Paul and Peter were claiming to have the same faith, and yet Peter wasn't living by it. I think Terrapyres would be very quick to rebuke someone who was playing the hypocrite in their lives, because Terrapyres are all about being "real." You can't be real if you claim to believe one thing and do something else.

I think that the term "organized religion" is too...constricting in terminology. For example, I go to a Baptist church, which many people (as far as I know) would consider to be an organized religion. But it isn't. Maybe we should refer not to them as "religions" (for what I believe is far from anything that can by definition be called "religion") but as belief systems. This simply means of course that different people interpret Scripture differently, even believe different things about Scripture. It's not as narrow-minded as the term "organized religion" or even "religion," yet it does cover all the possibilities.

I really don't know about Terrapyres and other belief systems. You want to know why? (I'll probably be overruled on this, but...) What about systems that are not Christ-centric? Or that do not have him as the only main figure? Doesn't that go against what Terrapyres know of him or what they feel is important?

Also, consider this: Some belief systems have completely different beliefs about Jesus himself or the life that he lived. How do they reconcile these beliefs, on which whole systems are sometimes founded?

Ultimately the relationship with Christ himself is the most important thing, which is why I think that many belief systems where he isn't emphasized enough will not draw Terrapyres.

Isn't it possible that they would have their own sort of church, because how can you have a faith based in people that knew Christ (in their nonlinear memory) that's founded in principles built by humans who have no direct knowledge of him? I do believe they should mingle with humans, but I'm not certain that within manmade systems is the way they would do it. I think Terrapyres would "fudge" in a lot of areas, understanding that some people are just different from them, but I also think they would not fudge about things like Christ himself and what they believe about him.

I'm a little torn on this issue. EJ? Help?

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Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:09 pm

papa nurgle wrote:

While I am not sure what E.J. would say about it, I have to think that while Lairmates might worship together, the idea that Terrapyres would have their own church just does not sit well with me.

I would think that they would worship as a personal affirmation of their belief in Christ. While they would not mind participating with others to do that, they are just as fullfilled, just as content to do so on their own.

I believe that the early society of man created these belief systems to not only glorify their creator but to also have fellowship together. They looked to their place of worship to also be a place to meet and mingle. To give glory to Christ but also to see how the neighbors are doing. These places of worship are still used that way today, and many Terrapyres would love that fellowship. Sure the Terrapyre may see through certain parts of a ritual in a Lutheran worship service, but he or she still also sees the tremendous positives the service brings to the congregation (and to the Terrapyre itself). So long as the Terrapyre did not see something blasphemous. I think he or she would be fine with whatever type of service the Terrapyre was comfortable with. Just like us silly mortals, Terrapyres would see some ways of worship as positive, some as ambivalent, and others as just not their cup of tea.