thread: 2005-09-20 : Dogs in the Vineyard, the Vision
On 2005-09-21, Christian Fasy wrote:
"Then you did. The end!"
Man, I laughed a lot over that one.
Well, Vincent, I'm sorry I didn't write sooner, but I'm very glad that I finally did. In fact, I'm honored to have hit the right button.
I want to state that gaming Mormons are a special breed, a narrow target indeed. I admit to choosing which friends could seperate the fantasy from the history, and not feel uncomfortable. Let's not forget that Mormons, just like other humans, come in all shapes and sizes, a rainbow of flavors, and a wide spectrum of thinking. Some have more open minds than others.
I was so impressed with your respectful but upfront treatment of the 'Faith', the fantasy threads woven into the historical context, and the bitter-sweetness of the 'what if' that raises so many questions about faith and religion and right-action (to borrow a buddhist phrase); the questions of ethical behavior when you can, by default, be a law unto yourself, can never actually be wrong; and what kind of person that makes you. Really, just a thing of cognitive and emotional beauty. I just HAD to share it with my friends. We had so many moments of "That is SO COOL' overlaying the kind of chuckle reserved for describing big motorcycles, fast cars and action heroes.
I know that my friends all love the flash and bang, the sturm und drang of it, and the opportunity to identify with the characters in a new way, a safe way that touches on their most deeply held beliefs without mocking those beliefs at the same time. Me, I also dig the philosophy. There were a lot more things that happened in that game that I just loved. I'll try to put all of it down in the Forge sometime this month.
Brand, I haven't met you, but this quote was telling:
"But I'm a swearing Mormon who hangs out with a pot smoking marxist and only did a Service Mission".
You have excellent references. I come from a long line of brilliant cursers that could put long-shoremen to shame with the licks of flame that come from our tongues. I've hung with my own share of pot smokers, apathists, communists, anarchists, fanatical republicans, wiccans, homosexuals, goths, gun nuts, libertarians and social democrats and that's just my immediate family.
Only a Service Mission? Only? Don't be so modest.
You know, Jesus hung out with sinners and tax collectors. Should we do less? ;-)
This makes BR go "Next time I'm in Utah I'll look you up."
Or you can look me up if you ever come up to Toronto.
This makes CF go "That would be cool.."
I've never been to Toronto. Here's my email:starshield@xmission.com
