On Discouragement

[ragnvaeig]

I had a discussion with a friend about a particular prospect who is currently considering dedicating himself to religious path that's at least very similar to the one I've chosen. Without having any real information on said prospect's level of commitment, to me this person seems to have an incomplete understanding of what this particular deity

Comments

Hubris.

[edwarddain]

How do I know what the "right" or the "wrong" reasons are? They are not asking to dedicate themselves to me - so it's really between them and the Divine.

Same thing with "an incomplete grasp" - who am I to say that they will or will not only be working with a highly limited aspect of the Deity in question?

Or perhaps my version of Deity is off and the other person is more correct than I am? That's a rabbit-hole for the philosophically inclined, but the possibility always exists...

Seriously, perhaps it's just me, but I tend to believe that Deity can and will do an excellent job of "protecting itself" - if it wants my help it will give me a very clear message to do so. If I did think what you are suggesting, my reaction is more based on the personality of the person involved. If they are an ass, I'll start on the popcorn so I can watch the fireworks as the Divine deals with it (assuming that they are within my field of vision so to speak), if they are a basically nice person I'll wince and hope that it doesn't hurt too much (and perhaps be inclined to see if I need to pick up any pieces afterwards or help with sutures).

Re: Hubris.

[ragnvaeig]

...well if that's the angle you want to put on it, how would one determine that it is *not* the deity's wish that I talk to this person and be an avenue of information and reason?