[j. d. worthington]

nigourath: should you check in here, I've got a few comments on your post...

Going somewhat in reverse order: you should check out the more recent findings in Jewish archaeology. While I've only got small bits of it myself, from my understanding there's a lot going on there that's turning a lot of accepted ideas (in the region, at any rate) on their head. Also... it is seriously doubtful that Christ was an historical person. What precious little has been cited in support of that claim largely comes from Josephus... but is a later interpolation which does not exist in the original writings. One can't say, of course, that a person bearing that name who had a following (albeit, from the evidence, a rather small one for some time) didn't exist; but, given the lack of supporting evidence coupled with the obviously syncretistic nature of Christianity (adopting various ideas, motifs, and mythemes from numerous other beliefs of the region), the existence of such a person is extremely unlikely.

And on the idea you present as to such a person's sincerity, etc. -- you might be interested in reading Michael Moorcock's novel Behold the Man, which deals with a time traveller who goes back to witness the crucifixion and, finding things aren't as they've always been believed to be, finds himself fulfilling the role religious history has presented us with....

Incidentally, Lovecraft had some interesting things to say on the subject of Christ and his "normality" or sanity. I'll look up the quotation and post it here, should you be interested.

On the subject of the "Cthulhu Mythos" -- I, for one, have no problem with your support of the Derleth-derived version, as long as it isn't mistaken for Lovecraft's own vision. I enjoy no few of those stories myself, and even in those I don't necessarily think are good, there are often some good concepts embedded in them now and again.

I'm interested in your singling out "hypnotism" here, as -- at least with Cthulhu -- I'd say it was more telepathy than hypnotism; but perhaps you're intending a hypnotic influence delivered by telepathic means? At least, your post seems somewhat to point that way. In which case, this would seem to tie in with part of what you were saying about the shoggoth earlier, but in a rather contradictory fashion (it seems to me). Any thoughts on that aspect?

And while it is indeed possible -- indeed likely -- that Lovecraft intended some parodying of the idea of the "resurrection and the life" (after all, the denouement of "The Dunwich Horror" is clearly a parody of the crucifixion, while the final lines of "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" definitely echo -- with horrific meaning -- the 23rd Psalm, sixth verse), I think that the aspect you're pointing out here is a good bit less likely (though not impossible); and any such idea on this point is more likely Derleth's (who was raised a Catholic, unlike Lovecraft, who declared a staunch atheism from a very early age -- most likely predating his twelfth year).

Now, on the subject of Satan... he has long been seen, by artists, poets, and writers in general, to be a symbol of rebellion against oppressive authority, as well as the taking many elements from various pagan deities (the Goat of Mendes, for instance, having a hefty dose of Pan, especially the more lubricious fertility elements -- now there's a Lovecraftian connection for you: "Iä, Shub-Niggurath, the Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young!"). So your take here, while not new, certainly has some serious merit to it. I'm not sure I agree with you on all points, but that the Zoroastrian conception of an opposing force to God would be used by a Christian orthodoxy to control the more anarchic elements in the populace certainly has a fair amount of reason to it. And such an opposing, rebellious entity seems to be a necessity in the majority -- if not all -- mythologies: Iai the Rebel (an aspect of Ra), Coyote, and Loki being some examples....