(urth) planetary problems

[Lee Berman]

>James Wynn: Here's the deal: I've read that story since before I could read and I 
>never associated the wickedness of all mankind due to the Nephillim. I've never 
>heard or read one teacher claim that.
 
This is to be understood, if you've had a modern Christian upbringing. "I read it before
I could read" has interesting connotations. I had a similar conversation with James Jordan 
(who is extremely devout) years ago and the same exact thing bothered him. Modern Christians 
tend to reject the competitor gods and demons and Nephilim and such found in the Old Testament 
as not compatible with the One True Kind Good God of the New Testament. It isn't taught.
 
Still, they remain there to be read about (as seen below).  I'm quite sure Gene Wolfe 
has done this reading. How could he not have? He puts demons and Nephilim, giants and vampires, 
human-demon matings etc. in the play called Eschatology and Genesis.
 
 
I have no personal opinion on the matter so I am interested in the topic only from a Gene
Wolfe perspective. Despite the modern Christian view, the older (gnostic?) view can be 
found extensively with any internet search of "Genesis" or "Nephilim" or "fallen angels"
etc.
 
>The ability of the Megatherians and the inhumi to torment mankind is due 
>to his own wickedness and corruption.
 
True, but the giants and demons exist in Wolfe's stories as real beings. Why deny them simply 
because they cannot always be seen.
 
 
 
>But we have bat creatures in An Evil Guest and they are (seem to be) 
>good guys. I don't think we can draw anything universal about that. As 
>for Lilith/vampire, you are on the right track:
>Jahlee, the Fire Aelf, Sabra
>She shows up over and over.
 
Are the Inhumi really all bad? I'd say they have a certain charm. Are the Megatherians pure evil? 
The Gods of the Whorl? Godlings? Undines and sirens? Do they not serve God's purpose and play their 
roles in equal faithfulness to God's Plan as the angels and we humans? 

 
James I am not trying to convert you. I think you have good reasons for your beliefs. But I admit to
using you as a foil here because you have a knack for bringing up the exact issues that need to be 
addressed. And others may be interested.
 
 
Genesis 6
 1And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were 
born unto them,  2That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took 
them wives of all which they chose. 
 3And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his 
days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 
 4There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto 
the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, 
men of renown. 
 5And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the 
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 
 6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 
 7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and 
beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 
 8But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.