Justin Smetters

04-14-04

ISSI402

Prof. Sienkewicz

Hermes vs. God

Hermes and the Christian god are to very different kinds of Gods. The problem is Hermes was a god who is a contradiction. He is not bad, he is not good, he is just him. He was mischievous, but also a great person. Why do I say that? He was a brilliant mind, he made music, he was important to world travelers and was as fastest messenger know to the Ancient world.

The Christian God is not one we think of as mischievous, sure he/she might have a sense of humor (I only say that because god invented the platypus [Dogma movie reference]). Some of the other ancient pagan religions did have a mischievous type of figure. The Christian thought is serious. Humor is not something focused in the Bible.

Hermes on the other hand had many ways that he was mischievous. When Hermes was born he craved meat. He went stole his brother Apollo’s cattle by making them march backwards. So Apollo was walking in circles for a while. After a while Apollo understood what happened. But Hermes already slaughtered the cows and returned to the crib. After Apollo yelled at the baby for a while Hermes gave Apollo a lyre.

God on the other hand did not do things by impulse. He tended to do things with a purpose. When he punished the world with a flood, he spared some

lives. He did this on purpose because he wanted good people and animals to roam the land. God never as far as we know did things just because we felt like it.

            Hermes would fit perfectly into the impulse society as today. Maybe that is why is the logo of 1-800-flowers. Hermes was worshiped by thieves. I don’t think too many felons today would say they are god fairing men (maybe they converted after they were incarcerated).

            It is almost impossible to compare them. They are not as different as God and the Devil, Hermes is a middle ground that can be compared more to one of man. If Hermes lived he wouldn’t be the equivalent of an Evil Bond Genius, he would be that smart but he would be more like an average Teenager. He tries to find loop-holes and causes trouble but finds his way out of it.