Faced with Tolkien's question, Zhou Hexuan said: "Of course there are devout believers in China, but perhaps due to the influence of polytheism, it is very likely that Buddhists will bow to Taoist gods when they see them, or at least show the most basic
Respect."
Tolkien commented: "A very secular view of faith."
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Yes, it is very secular. Whether it is monotheism or polytheism, most of the gods in the world are born. Let alone monotheism, God created the world. Let's look at Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology and Nordic mythology.
These are polytheistic systems, but the gods are either born naturally or are descendants of the father god. But China is different. Our mortals can also become gods, and most of the gods are cultivated by mortals."
Tolkien seemed very interested in this: "Can you tell me more about it?"
Zhou Hexuan said: "The highest deity of Taoism is the Jade Emperor. There are many theories about the origin of the Jade Emperor, but the basic situation is the same. Before he became a god, the Jade Emperor was the prince of the Miaole Kingdom. He gave up his throne, learned Taoism, and helped all people.
After hundreds of millions of calamities, he became the supreme god. The more typical example is Guan Dijun. Anyone who knows something about Sinology knows that Guan Dijun was a general in the Eastern Han Dynasty of China. Because of his loyalty, bravery, and integrity, he died after his death.
Become a god."
"In other words, mortals can become gods through hard work," someone suddenly asked, "How is this different from the heroic spirits in Nordic mythology?"
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Who is this gentleman?"
The man said, "My name is Clive Staples Lewis."
Well, this guy is also a big shot and a good friend of Tolkien.
Lewis was originally an atheist, but he became a Christian under the influence of Tolkien a few years ago, but the former joined the Anglican Church, while the latter joined the Catholic Church. Their literary works both contain strong Christian ideas, and they usually do not.
Study less theology.
Zhou Hexuan said: "The gods in China who were cultivated by mortals are naturally different from the heroic spirits in Northern Europe. Warriors must believe in the gods and die in battle before they can be taken into the Hall of Heroes. The purpose of their existence is only to help the gods fight. In China, this is not the case.
You need to believe in which god, and it is not mandatory to be a warrior. They may be ordinary gentlemen, because they have noble moral character and are respected by others, and they can become a god after death. There were many City God temples in ancient China, and the City God worshiped in the temple was a big one.
That’s part of how it came about.”
Lewis frowned and said: "Don't you Chinese think this is blasphemy against God?"
"Of course not," Zhou Hexuan said with a smile, "We respect all gods. Even if they don't believe in any religion, most Chinese people still maintain awe of the gods. Even after Buddhism was introduced to China, the gods of Buddhism and Taoism
They can also communicate with each other, and some gods even have part-time jobs in both religions."
"A very interesting view of religion and theology," Tolkien said with a smile.
Lewis asked: "Do the Chinese believe that gods created the world?"
Zhou Hexuan shook his head and said: "No, the Chinese only believe that gods created human beings. As for the world, it originally existed. It was originally a chaotic universe like an egg. An ancient god split it with an ax, and it rose lightly to become the sky, turbid.
It descended and became the earth. In Chinese myths and legends, this is called 'Pangu opened heaven and earth'."
Lewis asked again: "Does Mr. Zhou think it is possible that the world was created by God?"
Zhou Hexuan did not say that he was an atheist, but only smiled and said: "Who can say for sure? Perhaps, the world was created by a noodle monster after severe alcoholism, and he is the only true god in the universe."
"Noodle monster?" Lewis's cheeks twitched.
"Yes, the noodle monster." Zhou Hexuan used chalk to draw a monster made of noodles on the blackboard. "Let's call it the 'Flying Noodle God'. He created the universe in a daze because of alcoholism. He is the only true god who can
Call him 'Zhu'. As for this religion, it can be called the 'Flying Noodle God Religion'. It also has heaven and hell. In heaven, there is a volcano erupting beer and a striptease hall full of beautiful women. Those who believe in it can ascend to heaven after death.
Enjoy the wine in heaven. Unbelievers will go to hell after death. There are also volcanoes and strip clubs in hell, but the volcanoes erupt with horse urine, and the women in the strip clubs are all sexually transmitted diseases."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
After listening to Zhou Hexuan's narration, many simple believers and atheists laughed, while devout believers like Tolkien and Lewis looked strange. Some fanatics even had angry faces, but they just didn't compete with Zhou Hexuan on the spot.
Britain in 940 was still relatively traditional, but its religion was relatively open compared to continental Europe.
For example, Lewis was a Christian apologist and founded the Socratic Club at Oxford University. He was obviously a devout believer. But Anthony Fourw, the most famous atheist philosopher in the UK, published "Theology and Theology" at the Socratic Club.
Famous for "Forgery," this club particularly enjoys friendly debates with atheists.
After hearing Zhou Hexuan's nonsense, Lewis was not angry, but smiled and said: "It seems that Mr. Zhou is an atheist. How can you prove that gods do not exist?"
Zhou Hexuan said: "Let me tell you a fable. Two explorers came to the Secret Garden. One of the explorers said that the garden was built by a gardener. The other explorer said that there was no gardener at all. The two explorers came to the secret garden.
I watched the garden day and night, but no gardener appeared. So, what does this mean?"
What does an apologist do?
Those who specifically defend Christianity use their words to deceive unbelievers.
Lewis, an apologist well versed in philosophical debates, concluded: "In Mr. Zhou's parable, the gardener represents God and the garden represents the world. If the gardener does not appear, then he may or may not exist. Just like God is dispensable.
Yes, if you believe it, there will be it; if you don’t believe it, there will be nothing. Is that so?"
Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "It can be understood this way. But it can also be understood that gods are created by people. For example, explorers created gardeners. And in the same way, I can also create the Flying Noodle God and the Flying Noodle God Cult."
An engineering student seemed to be interested in the Feitian Noodle Cult. He raised his hand and asked, "Mr. Zhou, can I apply to become a believer in the Feitian Noodle Cult?"
"Hahahaha." The classroom suddenly burst into laughter.
Zhou Hexuan nodded and said: "Of course, if you are willing to join, then congratulations, you will be the living saint of the Flying Spaghetti Cult, and I am the prophet of the Flying Spaghetti Cult. We can compile "The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti" together. Yes.
Now, we can also set down the Eight Commandments of Moses."
There was another burst of laughter in the classroom. The so-called "Moxi Bajie" was obviously making fun of the "Moses Ten Commandments". Except for a few fanatical believers, most of the people here were just watching the fun and did not take this flying noodles at all.
The cult took it seriously, and even Lewis and Tolkien were laughing.
The engineering student was very fond of compliments and immediately asked: "Sir, what are the eight commandments?"
Zhou Hexuan said: "The first commandment is, I hope you won't be so self-righteous when preaching. If some people don't believe it, that's okay. Your noodle god is not a vain and jealous god."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
The atheists here are almost laughing crazy. This is again a satire on some fanatical believers who force others to believe in religion.
Zhou Hexuan continued: "The second commandment, I hope you will not persecute, conquer, punish others in my name, and do not do evil to others. I don't want your worship. Purity is related to water, not people. The third commandment, I hope
Don't judge people by their appearance, all people are created equal. Of course, when it comes to fashion topics, I'm very sorry, only women and some extremely talented men can accept the noodle god's enlightenment... The fifth commandment, I hope you will eat when you are not full.
For stubborn people and hateful people, ignore them, eat first, and then go to settle accounts with them after eating..."
What the hell are these eight commandments, all kinds of nonsense and satire, and there is a little cleverness at the end of each commandment.
Lewis was completely speechless. He had no interest in debating this kind of scum-fighting sect as an apologist. On the contrary, Tolkien found it very interesting. If he hadn't been a devout Catholic, he would probably have joined the Flying Spaghetti.
God's religion is fun.
The "Eight Commandments of Moses" can easily attract young, highly intellectual atheists, at least many of the Oxford students present were ready to do so.
Another student raised his hand and said, "Sir, can I join too?"
Zhou Hexuan immediately said: "Congratulations, this classmate, you are now a member of the church. There is no need to pay fees, worship God, or swear oaths. At the same time, the Flying Face God Sect also welcomes people who do not know the truth to join the religion for free. You can try to believe
If you are dissatisfied within one month, you can quit the religion at any time without any adverse consequences or side effects. At the same time, I also welcome church members to establish branches of various sects. For example, those who like to eat pasta can create the 'Flying Spaghetti Sect'
Anglican', I will appoint him regional archbishop!"
After these words were spoken, many people went crazy, and the president of Oxford University regretted inviting Zhou Hexuan here.
As long as the questions asked by Lewis were too embarrassing, Zhou Hexuan was too lazy to answer them directly, so he simply made a joke and used the Flying Spaghetti Cult as a shield.
The Feitian Noodles Cult was founded, and this day became the "holy day" (Friday) of the religion. Zhou Hexuan was also revered as the first pope and the Flying Noodles Prophet. After decades of development, by the 2nd century, Flying Noodles believers
It has exceeded the 00,000 mark, and was later recognized as a legal religion by the governments of the Netherlands and other countries.
Throughout the history of the Flying Spaghetti Cult, there have been many great figures.
For example, Stephen Hawking became a Christian when he was in college and was elected as the Archbishop of the British Diocese of the Flying Spaghetti Cult.
