re: #274 Guanxi88

On the subject of polytheism, old William S. Burroughs offered an interesting take on it. He argued that a monotheistic universe was psychologically frustrating because it couldn’t explain failure. Polytheism, though, with many active divinities, could account for it by one god defeating another in a given situation.

Interesting idea. But in the Christian monothesim there is an enemy, Satan who actively opposes God. And there is free will, individuals are free to choose paths and actions separate from God and God’s will. As to natural events it works in with the whole creationism meme. Creationism supposes a high active God continually manipulating creation to His ends. Such a hands on God could then cause or prevent a natural calamity.

Failure and “bad” things aren’t hard to explain. Maybe hard for some to understand.