*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.
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timeasmymeasure
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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.