*laugh* Good call. I seem to recall that it's generally good against undead creatures as well... something about holy water and vampires ^_^
But "real world" (insomuch as it is real) is what I was more referring to. However, to say that it is "touched by [deity(ies) of choice]" doesn't really, by itself, tell me anything. For example, if a certain rock has been touched by god (because it's shorter for me to type god) what difference does that make? Why do people make such a big deal about such items?
So you are not looking for why is something holy, but why are holy items of such value to the people that believe....
This is a bit of a complex question, and dives right from the safe and easy area of logic and right into the depts of the murky mud of emotion as a sub set of religion.
I guess it is very close to someone holding onto a gift from their first love one. Sure the item itself seems rather plain and useless to anyone else, but the emotional responce of knowing this gift was from a loved one makes it important to them.
I guess to put a more family spin on it, it might be the same as a child keeping their parents watch, or a parent keeping their childs first piece of art. The item itself does not mater, cause it is all about the emotional responce to it.
So a holy item is important because of the emotional impact it has on the people that believe.
I really should have a better answer. But I'm just going to give you a series of questions
What does it mean to you? Is there a difference between something that is holy and something that has been blessed? Ever meet a holy person? (I don't just mean priests and monks or whatever - regular people) What are they like? How do they make you feel when you are around them?
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-04-11 02:34 pm (UTC)A holy weapon is one that will do 2d6 extra damange to creatures of evil, and bypass their DR to such damage
*blinks*... hmm are you talking real world?
I am guessing the real world definition is something along the lines of "touched by god" or touched by (insert powerful figure).
no subject
Date: 2006-04-11 02:47 pm (UTC)But "real world" (insomuch as it is real) is what I was more referring to. However, to say that it is "touched by [deity(ies) of choice]" doesn't really, by itself, tell me anything. For example, if a certain rock has been touched by god (because it's shorter for me to type god) what difference does that make? Why do people make such a big deal about such items?
no subject
Date: 2006-04-11 02:59 pm (UTC)This is a bit of a complex question, and dives right from the safe and easy area of logic and right into the depts of the murky mud of emotion as a sub set of religion.
I guess it is very close to someone holding onto a gift from their first love one. Sure the item itself seems rather plain and useless to anyone else, but the emotional responce of knowing this gift was from a loved one makes it important to them.
I guess to put a more family spin on it, it might be the same as a child keeping their parents watch, or a parent keeping their childs first piece of art. The item itself does not mater, cause it is all about the emotional responce to it.
So a holy item is important because of the emotional impact it has on the people that believe.
no subject
Date: 2006-04-11 06:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-12 02:33 am (UTC)Not sure how serious the original post was....
Reccomended reading....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=holy
hmm
Date: 2006-04-11 09:42 pm (UTC)What does it mean to you?
Is there a difference between something that is holy and something that has been blessed?
Ever meet a holy person? (I don't just mean priests and monks or whatever - regular people)
What are they like?
How do they make you feel when you are around them?
no subject
Date: 2006-04-12 02:41 pm (UTC)Now, "sacred" is another matter.