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Anonymous

Interesting read. Regarding gods as feudal lords, its good to remember that in pantheistic traditions, just in monoitheistic ones, the gods intervened very often in people's lives. They started wars, sired demigods, overthrew regimes that offended them. I think this 'active deity' is the part most GMs and players overlook. When their cleric uses an ability they are calling on their god. If they succeed it is because their god approves. All players should be able to appeal to active gods but we need to remember that gods do not have our own (21st C) morals either, nor are most of their actions for the benefit of mortals. They are above such concerns, if they notice them at all. Clerics, on the other hand, are often messengers between mortals and gods, and their abilities should be more like prophets or oracles, as well as enforcers that ensure proper sacrifice is made (in real terms and in behaviour) to ensure the good faith of the gods.

Anonymous

(Also, this is why Runequest is great!)

Anonymous

Also, on the atheists front, there were many thinkers that rejected the gods and worship of them. However, to reject them is to admit to their existence in the first place, a very different mindset to atheism or agnosticism.

justinalexander

Exactly. "I refuse to obey the king and would like to see him removed from his position of power and honor" is a very different philosophical position than "I don't think the king actually exists."