Contemporary Society and the Gods

[herkles]

Hello,

With modern society that has things that did not exist back pre-christian times, how do we view the gods? Do you see them being willing to use modern technology and items that did not exist back then?

I was inspired to ask this question from my biblical studies class that I am taking for my medieval studies minor, as well christanity was just a little bit important back then. anyways, we were talking about the prophets in the old testament and the question my teacher asked was "if they were around today, what sort of things would they speak on" This made me think on how does that apply to my own pagan path, ie how do I see the gods.

for example, computers, the internet, cameras, planes, guns, tv, phones and so forth; none of this existed back in ancient times. So how do you see the gods and modern society? do you see them using it at all?

I read a post, i think here but I can't be sure, that was about a hindu deity that had in addition to ancient symbols also the telephone in one of its hands. reading that and thinking on this question is what lead me to my own UPG about one of the celtic deities, Lugh. Since in the tales Lugh is stated to be skilled to be in many skills. So it came to me, that lugh could be skilled in arts and skills that are modern inventions, such as engineering, building computers, web design, just as much as he is still skilled in the things that would have existed in the celtic times.



so I wonder what you think about these questions, and if others have had thoughts like I did when it comes to diffrent gods and goddesses?

-herkles

[Waterfall]

Hello,

With modern society that has things that did not exist back pre-christian times, how do we view the gods? Do you see them being willing to use modern technology and items that did not exist back then?

I was inspired to ask this question from my biblical studies class that I am taking for my medieval studies minor, as well christanity was just a little bit important back then. anyways, we were talking about the prophets in the old testament and the question my teacher asked was "if they were around today, what sort of things would they speak on" This made me think on how does that apply to my own pagan path, ie how do I see the gods.

for example, computers, the internet, cameras, planes, guns, tv, phones and so forth; none of this existed back in ancient times. So how do you see the gods and modern society? do you see them using it at all?

I read a post, i think here but I can't be sure, that was about a hindu deity that had in addition to ancient symbols also the telephone in one of its hands. reading that and thinking on this question is what lead me to my own UPG about one of the celtic deities, Lugh. Since in the tales Lugh is stated to be skilled to be in many skills. So it came to me, that lugh could be skilled in arts and skills that are modern inventions, such as engineering, building computers, web design, just as much as he is still skilled in the things that would have existed in the celtic times.

so I wonder what you think about these questions, and if others have had thoughts like I did when it comes to diffrent gods and goddesses?

-herkles

I've thought about this before. Had a conversation about it with my roommate too. Most of that conversation was about what different gods would be associated with if the myths were being written in the modern age, and it got ridiculous real quick, but I do remember saying that Loki would be associated with heavy traffic. Now anytime I'm getting into traffic, I can't help but to think of Loki.

[Annie Roonie]

Hello,

With modern society that has things that did not exist back pre-christian times, how do we view the gods? Do you see them being willing to use modern technology and items that did not exist back then?


so I wonder what you think about these questions, and if others have had thoughts like I did when it comes to diffrent gods and goddesses?

-herkles

Douglas Adams had me thinking that when I first read his works. And it was fun to think about in that vein. American Gods by Neil Gaiman did the same thing in a slightly different way for me.

It is difficult to imagine the mind of a god without anthropomorphizing, and it may be that difficulty which causes the idea to be handled with levity so often.

Personally, I think a god would use all the tools in the tool box and if the entity did not find one suitable, another would come to be.

[Sharysa]

for example, computers, the internet, cameras, planes, guns, tv, phones and so forth; none of this existed back in ancient times. So how do you see the gods and modern society? do you see them using it at all?

Personally, I think the Morrigan would ADORE the cut-throat world of politics. XD She'd probably adapt to modern warfare very well, although the thought of her with a nuke or land-mines is terrifying.

She would also have no problem with the rise of feminism or the proliferation of porn on the Internet. XD

Lugh would also adapt very well to modern society, as mentioned earlier, and I'd think the various healing gods would be interested in all the leaps medical science has taken.

[Nachtigall]

Hello,

With modern society that has things that did not exist back pre-christian times, how do we view the gods? Do you see them being willing to use modern technology and items that did not exist back then?

I was inspired to ask this question from my biblical studies class that I am taking for my medieval studies minor, as well christanity was just a little bit important back then. anyways, we were talking about the prophets in the old testament and the question my teacher asked was "if they were around today, what sort of things would they speak on" This made me think on how does that apply to my own pagan path, ie how do I see the gods.

for example, computers, the internet, cameras, planes, guns, tv, phones and so forth; none of this existed back in ancient times. So how do you see the gods and modern society? do you see them using it at all?

I read a post, i think here but I can't be sure, that was about a hindu deity that had in addition to ancient symbols also the telephone in one of its hands. reading that and thinking on this question is what lead me to my own UPG about one of the celtic deities, Lugh. Since in the tales Lugh is stated to be skilled to be in many skills. So it came to me, that lugh could be skilled in arts and skills that are modern inventions, such as engineering, building computers, web design, just as much as he is still skilled in the things that would have existed in the celtic times.

so I wonder what you think about these questions, and if others have had thoughts like I did when it comes to diffrent gods and goddesses?

-herkles

I think that, for example, a mobile phone can become a modern symbol of Hermes as the God of communications, thus, all the communication means, ancient, or modern, or not yet invented, are within his domain. But I'm not quite sure what you mean when you mention deities actually using the mobile phone - I guess in my view the gods aren't so anthropomorphic.
Same with other deities. I can definitely see Athena governing over modern research facilities, Ares over all the modern warfare, Aesculapius over modern medicine and so on. Just because that's within their nature and has always been, not because they suddenly decide to "adapt".

[Kylara]

With modern society that has things that did not exist back pre-christian times, how do we view the gods? Do you see them being willing to use modern technology and items that did not exist back then?

I think that it would depend on the temperament of the God or Goddess in question. I definitely believe that some adapt very well to the modern world, but some remain more traditional and 'stuck' (for lack of a better explanation) in their own time frame.

Kind of the same way that people have variance. My grandparents don't trust computers, and barely use theirs because of it. I know another lady who is about their age who probably does more on her computer than I do.

[Silverlight]

Hello,

With modern society that has things that did not exist back pre-christian times, how do we view the gods? Do you see them being willing to use modern technology and items that did not exist back then?

I was inspired to ask this question from my biblical studies class that I am taking for my medieval studies minor, as well christanity was just a little bit important back then. anyways, we were talking about the prophets in the old testament and the question my teacher asked was "if they were around today, what sort of things would they speak on" This made me think on how does that apply to my own pagan path, ie how do I see the gods.

for example, computers, the internet, cameras, planes, guns, tv, phones and so forth; none of this existed back in ancient times. So how do you see the gods and modern society? do you see them using it at all?

I read a post, i think here but I can't be sure, that was about a hindu deity that had in addition to ancient symbols also the telephone in one of its hands. reading that and thinking on this question is what lead me to my own UPG about one of the celtic deities, Lugh. Since in the tales Lugh is stated to be skilled to be in many skills. So it came to me, that lugh could be skilled in arts and skills that are modern inventions, such as engineering, building computers, web design, just as much as he is still skilled in the things that would have existed in the celtic times.

so I wonder what you think about these questions, and if others have had thoughts like I did when it comes to diffrent gods and goddesses?

-herkles

I thin that they would adapt to the modernity of the world if they could see the usefulness of it to them. Often I feel that my patrons use contemporary technology to point me in the right direction soemtimes. Also, if you think about it, back in the olden days, even the long-bow was considered new technology, and many of the gods are depicted with bows and other such technologies that were new back then. So I think I can see how even in this very electronic age, the gods would find it useful to utilize the new resources.

[Maps]

so I wonder what you think about these questions, and if others have had thoughts like I did when it comes to diffrent gods and goddesses?

-herkles

I think Itzamna would take very well to nuclear and theoretical physics, have a good laugh at paranormal studies, and be right at home with (respectful!) recreational drug users, as well as artists and engineers of all sorts.

[Celtag]

I think Itzamna would take very well to nuclear and theoretical physics, have a good laugh at paranormal studies, and be right at home with (respectful!) recreational drug users, as well as artists and engineers of all sorts.

I think Amaethon would and does appreciate the advances in agriculture, and how people have been so initiative to produce so much food.

[catja6]

...

Sometimes I think of the Internet not as a thing Hermes would like, but as a thing that is, on some level, a manifestation of him and his energy.