What would you think of a group of people who gathered every week to listen to readings from the Iliad?

Question

Not just occasionally, but every single week. Sometimes more. And the only other book they ever read was the Odyssey, which of course is bound together with the Iliad in one volume.

And every music cd they ever bought was based on the stories in those books, and every television show had to meet some criteria based on the interpretation of those books. And every meal was a blessing from characters in those books.

And they only liked other people who also based their entire lives on those books.

And they only voted for politicians who agreed with those books.

And they only married other 'true believers' who also shared this fascination with the books.

They even base their decisions about war and disease on....you guessed it.....Homer's Odyssey and The Iliad.

Would you think those people were more than a little nuts?

Especially if you found out that none of them were even Greek?

Answer 1

Does Homer promise eternal life?

Answer 2

But these are epic poems that scientists among other professionals find extremely rich like the bible. You know what, they did gather like that especially for Homer who was a blind bard, and would listen to the stories of a bronze age destroyed by the eruptions at Thera. It was excellent entertainment plus informative with insights into the great Minoan people and those greek colonies in Asia Minor. I used to go twice a week at night taking ancient history courses at my university so I get your drift here and I understand.
Seriously in some parts of the ancient Hellenistic world, your argument was in the norm.

Answer 3

I would think isn't it great we live in a country where they can believe what they want, without getting persecuted...After all that was the basic foundation of our country...to flee religious persecution...Oh wait a minute you are soo making fun of Christians.. very witty..but what if I told you I was a Christian and I read the Iliad every week...would I be doubly nuts?

I like my life, so I choose to base it on what you consider to be just a book... I am happy, I am not hurting anyone..What does it matter to you..if it makes you uncomfortable when someone mentions the name of Jesus walk away.. if someone started swearing at me I would walk away..
For the record not every single thing that every single Christian does is based solely on the Bible..I watch Harry Potter, and I totally disagree with what it stands for and represents but the special effects are really cool (I like the whole flying on broomsticks to chase the little gold thing)

Answer 4

Honestly, I would think they're deluded and strange. But I would absolutely respect their lifestyle choice and keep my opinions to myself.
But if they were to start trying to pass laws to force all the non-Illiadians to live the same way? If they were to start going door-to-door trying to convert people to Illiadity? If they were to threaten me and call me names for refusing to accept the Illiad-centered life? If they were to try to force my child to recite Illiadian slogans in school? I would speak out against them every opportunity I had. I would not vote for aggressively Illiadian candidates. I would not buy goods sold by aggressively Illiadian companies. And if things got bad enough, I would even take up arms against an Illiadian theocracy to defend my freedom of choice.
You Christians reading this question might think it's silly and pointless. But it's exactly how you look to many people outside your faith. You folks would do well to try and think of your actions from that perspective every now and then. You aren't the only ones in the world.

Answer 5

I could see them going through the books once, because they're good books. But after you've read the whole story, move on. There are other great stories out there. If they want to revisit it in twenty years or so, that's fine. But if they did it every week, I would worry about them.

Answer 6

It seems like these people are obsessed with Iliad. I don't think they are nuts. But there is a very fine line between sanity and Insanity, or madness. As long as their obsession doesn't hurt anyone, its OK.

Answer 7

It appers that you have a new group to associate with. When do you begin your weekly services? I might be interested in selling tickets to your first musical and playright. By the way, a True Christian would never choose his/her friends based on their religion or make major decisions based on it. They might pray that our FATHER would assist in daily activities though. Have a wonderful LORD's DAY.
Thanks,
Eds



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Answer 8

Nice try, but no, not really. People obsess about a lot of things -- Klingons, Paris Hilton, football, baseball, and just everything else you can think of. By and large, they're normal people who are fascinated with one subject.

I mean, there are guys who've missed their own children's baptisms or birthday parties because there was a "must-see" game on TV that particular Sunday. And I don't think any of those men were professional football players, either.

So your attempt to discredit Christians and their beliefs with your implications just doesn't hold up. As usual.

Answer 9

I think they would get way bored and then get up to mischief to try and alleviate the repetition of the stories, they'd read various different meanings into them and the group would schism and split into various sects and so on ad infinitum.

Strangely it's almost reminiscent of the way people obsess over the Bible isn't it ?...but I would never say a thing like that about Christians ...

Answer 10

I'd think I might want to join. The Illiad and the Odyssey are much more interesting books than the Bible at least.