Playing these video games will lead to Gnosis! We promise! The only faster way is by contributing to our patreon! (Links below.)
Jason Mehmel and Nic Lacetti explore the similarities between the mythology and metaphysics Gnosticism and the Elder Scrolls series of games. (Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim, among others!)
Continually developed, and blossoming within the game Morrowind, the Elder Scrolls suggest a metaphysics very different from a lot of other fantasy, consisting of divine beings that explore the nature of stasis and change, as well as creator figures that are either benevolent or malevolent, depending on your perspective. Not to mention, some of those divine beings seem to know they’re in a video game, and some of the mythology reflects the ‘reality’ of a video game experience.
Both the characters in the world and the real-life fans continuously debate and theorize about the nature of these mysteries. They generally assume there there is no ‘final’ answer to be gleaned; the debate is the point.
Nic and Jason reflect on that as connected to Gnostic communities and reflect on the value of discussion within the community!
Some of the stuff we mentioned in the show:
Nic’s website: www.thelightinvisible.org
That Ursula K Leguin note about escape: https://thetolkienist.com/2014/01/03/not-a-tolkien-quote-fantasy-is-escapist-and-that-is-its-glory/
link to discord thread breaking down parallels: (on the Gnostic Hub Discord) https://discord.com/channels/617284392603090974/1111048104767127634/1151827139239354388
A great article breaking down more metaphysical parallels between the in-game texts and the game itself: https://fallingawkwardly.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/the-metaphysics-of-morrowind-part-1/
This ep and all our content is also out as a podcast, subscribe where ever you usually listen or go to https://pod.link/845230843
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The opinions expressed in this show do not necessarily reflect those of the Gnostic Wisdom Network, the Apostolic Johannite Church, or any other organization.
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The Apostolic Johannite Church is an esoteric, Gnostic, Christian community. Many of us seek a real spiritual community which is loving, inclusive, spiritually lively and empowering of people of all genders, races and sexualities, both rich and poor.
The Johannite tradition represents just such a community: founded by Saint John the beloved disciple of Jesus, rooted in the tradition of John the Baptist and guided by direct, experiential contact with the Divine, this tradition encourages personal responsibility and freedom of thought and practice. Learn more at http://johannite.org
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[https://ia801300.us.archive.org/23/items/pop-gnosis-elder-scrolls-games-can-teach-you-gnostic-skills/%5BPop%20Gnosis%5D%20Elder%20Scrolls%20games%20can%20teach%20you%20Gnostic%20skills.mp3]
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