Religion on RAT

[P. Lilius Frugius Simius]

I lost that thread and the events that are mentioned through this one, but my view (for as little as it's worth) is that religion was a very important topic in Ancient times (as much and probably more than it is today, specially for the Romans, the Greeks, the Persians, the Egyptians, and all the other Peoples they met; and considering that most religions of yore shaped each other through interchange and divinity adoptions or identifications, a very fitting subject as well) and any serious discussion with the purpose of learning and gaining a better understanding of what the ancients thought, felt, and believed in should be encouraged like any other aspect of knowledge of the ancients.

Religion, as today, shaped the daily life of civilians, shaped the natural cycles of their yearly lives (through celebrations, holidays, etc) and, in some instances, shaped their political agendas as well. Understanding Alcibiades's accusations of impiety by the broken Hermes little statues throught Athens in the wake of the Sicilian Disaster needs a good grasp of Greek religion; understanding the role of the contract with the Roman gods and how being Flamen Dialis almost spoiled C. Iulius Caesar's political-military life forever, or being Pontifex Maximus allowed him a mix of civil life experience in Rome that many of his adversaries would have killed for (most of them being pontifices, and augures, etc themselves!)...

It's wrong to apply current sensibilities to ancient beliefs, because their behavior was not (logically) influenced by our thinking, actually it's their thinking that has shaped ours!!! But there's, certainly, a point were fair study and even critics from a certain POV becomes bashing others' beliefs.

We should stop in that point. If possible, because we noticed we were reaching it; if not, because the other party tells us: no need to leave, just let everybody know there's muddy waters agead in that direction; we are all adults and learners of the Past, uh? On the other hand, we should be bold enough to hear others' thruths (even about ours) and learn from them, not necessarily take insult!

And as a Discordian Pope, I can't be wrong on this,therefore trust me... ;-) )

best regards!