St. Augustine, Homer Simpson, Apu, and the Gods
I just came across an interesting passage from Augustine's classic City of God. It is remarkable in that it applies just as much today as it did in 415 A.D. Note that Augustine is not talking literally about pagan gods. He's actually referring to anyone and/or any value we put in the place of God, such as riches, power, appearances, ego, ideology, external religion, or whatever or whomever we elevate to the position of God in our lives.
Here's what Augustine writes, and it is indeed remarkable...one of many reasons we have to read the classics---especially in our times, as the classics are by their nature timeless and always pertinent.
"To worship fallen gods as patrons and defenders is more like having poor odds than good gods." - St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
St. Augustine's above remark reminds me of no other than Homer Simpson when he derides Apu Nahasapeemapetilon's gods, especially the one in the form of an elephant ("Ganesha"). Upon looking at the statue of the god, Homer says to Apu, "Gee whiz, Apu, when they were handing out gods, your religion sure got screwed!"
Of course, Apu in his typically polite way says, "Please Mr. Simpson, do not make fun of my gods." One of my favorite Simpsons moments! Apu for president!
The Hindu Elephant God, Ganesha, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in Hinduism and India. Hindu sects worship him regardless of other affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
Although he is known by many attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify. Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles (Vighnesha, Vighneśvara), patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. He is honoured at the start of rituals and ceremonies and invoked as Patron of Letters during writing sessions. Several texts relate mythological anecdotes associated with his birth and exploits and explain his distinct iconography.
Ganesha emerged as a distinct deity in clearly-recognizable form in the fourth and fifth centuries, during the Gupta Period, although he inherited traits from Vedic and pre-Vedic precursors. His popularity rose quickly, and he was formally included among the five primary deities of Smartism (a Hindu denomination) in the ninth century. A sect of devotees called the Ganapatya, (Sanskrit: gāṇapatya), who identified Ganesha as the supreme deity, arose during this period. The principal scriptures dedicated to Ganesha are the Ganesha Purana, the Mudgala Purana, and the Ganapati Atharvashirsa.
- Wikipedia