07-23-2012, 07:02 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Topeka, Kansas
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Theology Specialization: Comparative?
So, what do you guys think about "Comparative" as a Theology specialty? I have a character that is agnostic, however she's very much into religion. Her parents didn't raise her in any particular religion, so she's explored MANY religions. Ideally might be just not specializing but since Theology requires a specialization, would Comparative be a valid one, in that she knows about most religions fairly equally but not completely, therefore her "penalty" would be when you ask her about any specific denomination beyond broad generalizations like "Christian" 'witchcraft' etc, maybe? So like ask her about Christians in general? She knows. Ask her how Lutherans differ from Southern Baptists... um. not 100% sure on that one, she gets the penalty.
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Cleopatra: Whenever she assigned me to the switch, was that Voice, or was Raina influencing her thinking? Because, I mean, if it was Raina, she got inside my head and decided that I would screw it up. |
07-23-2012, 07:15 AM | #2 |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Denmark
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Re: Theology Specialization: Comparative?
I'd be fine with it. Friend of mine studies comparative religion but mostly focused on Abrahamism. She knows Buddhism well enough to have the broad strokes fairly well ironed out, but on any finer points she'll ask me for advice.
If you want someone who can answer on finer details of many religions, I'd suggest a comparative speciality - Comparative ontology, or miracle study, etc. |
07-23-2012, 07:30 AM | #3 | |
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Topeka, Kansas
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Re: Theology Specialization: Comparative?
Quote:
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Cleopatra: Whenever she assigned me to the switch, was that Voice, or was Raina influencing her thinking? Because, I mean, if it was Raina, she got inside my head and decided that I would screw it up. |
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07-23-2012, 08:55 AM | #4 |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: Theology Specialization: Comparative?
I'm not sure whether you're asking "for this character" or "in general," but if it's the latter, note that Theology (Comparative) is a canonical specialty, so it's definitely fine. See the second paragraph of the skill write-up on p. B226.
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Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
07-23-2012, 10:58 AM | #5 | |
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Topeka, Kansas
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Re: Theology Specialization: Comparative?
Quote:
OH I never noticed that (or did, but forgot) so then she'd have a -5 to her skill then most of the time, but that's still better than the default?
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Cleopatra: Whenever she assigned me to the switch, was that Voice, or was Raina influencing her thinking? Because, I mean, if it was Raina, she got inside my head and decided that I would screw it up. |
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07-23-2012, 11:53 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Re: Theology Specialization: Comparative?
Sounds fine. If her primary interest is research rather then personal Anthropology would be an alternative but either would work.
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"The navy could probably win a war without coffee but would prefer not to try"-Samuel Eliot Morrison |
07-23-2012, 04:10 PM | #7 |
GURPS Line Editor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Montréal, Québec
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Re: Theology Specialization: Comparative?
Given that a pet peeve of actual theologians dedicated to particular faiths is that the academic, comparative types lack both faith and nuance, that seems about right.
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Sean "Dr. Kromm" Punch <kromm@sjgames.com> GURPS Line Editor, Steve Jackson Games My DreamWidth [Just GURPS News] |
07-23-2012, 06:40 PM | #8 | |
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Re: Theology Specialization: Comparative?
Quote:
However I think it is possible that an actual religious person might do comparative theology better then an agnostic simply because of an easier emotional understanding.
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"The navy could probably win a war without coffee but would prefer not to try"-Samuel Eliot Morrison |
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07-23-2012, 08:40 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Silver Spring, MD
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Re: Theology Specialization: Comparative?
Wouldn't this be a type of Expert Skill?
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07-23-2012, 08:49 PM | #10 |
Hero of Democracy
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: far from the ocean
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Re: Theology Specialization: Comparative?
No, I'd say its comparative theology, as you are actually studying the doctrines and beliefs of the various faiths. Comparative theology lets you know about an incredible breath of material, whereas Theology specialties are normally very difficult to go between.
I have a weird view point as a member of a faith whose doctrines are not well understood by the public. I've had hillarious conversations with pastors who thought they knew what we believed and were surprised at how wrong they were. so yeah, definitely comparative. Last edited by ericthered; 07-23-2012 at 08:53 PM. |
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