(urth) The Outsider

[David Stockhoff]

I think this is correct. I presented my scheme of gradual 
improvement/enlightenment because Severian specifically describes it and 
it helps sort out why one iteration would have our experience and 
Severian's another, but that's all I'd add.

On 12/16/2010 3:32 PM, James Wynn wrote:
>
>
> There's another possibility I've mentioned before. And IF I were 
> inclined to justify tBotNS with Christian theology I would prefer it. 
> I don't, but I would.
>
> Since the cycles of Briah are not linked in Time, they are from a 
> practical standpoint indistinguishable from parallel universes. In 
> There Are Doors, although the parallel universes are based on a 
> fundamental difference, they are very similar too each other anyway. 
> For example, Green noticed that Lara's universe doesn't have ice 
> cubes. Green explains that this is because the universes are like 
> strings on a guitar tuned to the same note. Pluck one and those next 
> to it vibrate. So the parallel universes keep each other in line. Men 
> in Lara's universe where black tuxedos to their wedding because they 
> die after sex. Men in Green's universe do the same only because the 
> men in Lara's universe do.
>
> So in Severian's cycle, there was a Christian Church because there was 
> in _our_ universe. The Jesus mentioned in Silk's Holy Book is a figure 
> of myth. Neither Severian nor the Rajan could any more go back in time 
> and meet him than you or I could go back in Time and meet Cinderella 
> or Jason or Thor. But that doesn't mean he hasn't heard of him. The 
> Outsider is the God of all cycles, and the vision he shows Silk of 
> Christ on the cross is from _our_ cycle.
>
> Thus the Good News of the One Event spreads to all cycles for the 
> salvation of all.
>
> But that's a very geeky explanation. I prefer to just call it a 
> fantasy story of the distant future in our own universe.
>
> u+16b9
>
>


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