From: matthew.malthouse@guardian.co.uk
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 08:14:14 +0100
Subject: Re: (urth) Some problems if the Pancreator/Outsider is theHoly




On 11/06/2002 06:58:32 Roy C. Lackey wrote:

>In addition to the objections raised by others, there are all those
stories
>in the Brown Book, clearly recognizable to students of Classical
mythology
>as founded on Earth's mythology. It also contains a direct quote from
>Genesis, and another from Marlowe's FAUSTUS. No. No. No. Urth is in our
>Earth's far future.
>
>Facts aside, as well as theological difficulties, the notion of Severian,
>turning water into wine, being baptized, dying and being resurrected, a
>world savior, etc., in a previous iteration of creation, makes him the
>prototype for Jesus. Kind of cheapens the whole Holy Spectacle, doesn't
it?
>Putting the cart before the horse.
>
>Not to mention it plays hell with Nick Gevers' idea of placing 5HC in the
>SUN universe. A separate creation with an Earth, complete with Ireland,
>Scotland, Wales, and New York City, DAVID COPPERFIELD, and Catholic
saints
>(all mentioned in the text), stretches credulity past all endurance.

I agree. The internal evidence of tBotNS is only consistant with it being
set in the very far future.

I'd be curious to know if the external statements were delivered
ex-cathedra or if they were accompanied by any explanation or rational
that gives reason for the change.  I have to suspect pure mischief.

Matthew



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