quote:

ORIGINAL: Koa

I can only guess as to the reason he put in the Initiate caste, that being that throughout history man has always had a religious view of some kind or another. It would be hard to believe that this world that he created would be believable without some kind of religious group. I do believe that Lang did not go into any great detail about this caste on purpose. He probably didn't want a religious cult following like other writers have done. The philosophy that he taught in the books was his religion, in a manner of speaking. The philosophy is what was important, not the following of a deity that we had no control over. But a philosophy that empowers you to take control of what you can control, what you do in your daily life.

quote:

ORIGINAL: UllrsIshtar


It's also quite clear that he doesn't oppose spiritual views per say, as long as they're tempered with a healthy dosage of agnosticism, and are defined by the person themselves, instead of by religious leaders.

quote:

ORIGINAL: UllrsIshtar

He used the initiates as a literary device to give an illustration to several morals, behaviors, social adaptations, and believe systems he disapproves of.

Based on the negative comment he makes in regards to the initiates, it's not hard to tell that he doesn't have too high an opinion of organized religion.

It's also quite clear that he doesn't oppose spiritual views per say, as long as they're tempered with a healthy dosage of agnosticism, and are defined by the person themselves, instead of by religious leaders.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

quote:

ORIGINAL: UllrsIshtar

He used the initiates as a literary device to give an illustration to several morals, behaviors, social adaptations, and believe systems he disapproves of.

Based on the negative comment he makes in regards to the initiates, it's not hard to tell that he doesn't have too high an opinion of organized religion.

It's also quite clear that he doesn't oppose spiritual views per say, as long as they're tempered with a healthy dosage of agnosticism, and are defined by the person themselves, instead of by religious leaders.

Early in the books (3? 4?), when Tarl learns the truth about the Priest-Kings, he initially wants to reveal this to the Goreans, but there's a discussion about how the bulk of humanity needs an artificial structure like the Initiates, that few are ready for the discipline self-determination requires.

Certainly later, in Marauders, Ivar Forkbeard shows a disdain for clergy, including their possessions, status, and their very lives. Not really a stamp of approval (though the characters and the author need not share views, of course, necessarily).

But that Norman (a pen-name suggesting his affinity with Norse-like characters like Forkbeard) created a fictional world where the gods are actually technologically advanced non-human species, and humans merely part of the food chain (and not at the top), it's unlikely he was a deist. Add to that his reliance on Nietzsche, who, while raised Christian, was harshly critical of Christianity (which may or may not equal atheism on his part), I'd say the odds favor atheist on Norman's part.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Malkinius
Norman as a name has nothing to do with Norsemen. The Normans were the Frenchmen who invaded England in 1066.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

quote:

ORIGINAL: UllrsIshtar

He used the initiates as a literary device to give an illustration to several morals, behaviors, social adaptations, and believe systems he disapproves of.

Based on the negative comment he makes in regards to the initiates, it's not hard to tell that he doesn't have too high an opinion of organized religion.

It's also quite clear that he doesn't oppose spiritual views per say, as long as they're tempered with a healthy dosage of agnosticism, and are defined by the person themselves, instead of by religious leaders.

Early in the books (3? 4?), when Tarl learns the truth about the Priest-Kings, he initially wants to reveal this to the Goreans, but there's a discussion about how the bulk of humanity needs an artificial structure like the Initiates, that few are ready for the discipline self-determination requires.

Certainly later, in Marauders, Ivar Forkbeard shows a disdain for clergy, including their possessions, status, and their very lives. Not really a stamp of approval (though the characters and the author need not share views, of course, necessarily).

But that Norman (a pen-name suggesting his affinity with Norse-like characters like Forkbeard) created a fictional world where the gods are actually technologically advanced non-human species, and humans merely part of the food chain (and not at the top), it's unlikely he was a deist. Add to that his reliance on Nietzsche, who, while raised Christian, was harshly critical of Christianity (which may or may not equal atheism on his part), I'd say the odds favor atheist on Norman's part.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Malkinius

By the time the Normans were the Normans who invaded England the Norse had been mixed with the French and they thought of themselves more as French than Norse. Also, Norse are not one group but multiple groups from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and to a certain extent other countries around the Baltic Sea. Just as many or more Norsemen went east instead of west and down the rivers to Constantinople they stopped along the way and became the Rus (reds) or the Russians. At the time of the Norman invasion, sorry folks, but they were considered more French than Norman including by themselves. That still doesn't say why he chose the name.

Malkinius

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ORIGINAL: Cell

The Priest Kings though are a different kettle of fish.