Granny Weatherwax (Witch) on the Nature of Sin

[LongTomH]

Since the religious right seems to be divided on their support for Donald Trump (3 marriages, serial adulterer, sexual harasser, etc) I thought we might bring in an expert; to wit: one Mistress Esmeralda (Granny) Weatherwax, from several of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. Sir Terry's Carpe Jugulum features this marvelous dialogue between Mistress Weatherwax and The Quite Reverend Mightily-Praiseworthy-Are-Ye-Who-Exalteth-Om Oats (Mightily Oats for short) on the nature of sin:

"There is a very interesting debate raging at the moment (among Omnians) about the nature of sin, for example."

"And What do they think? Against it, are they?" Said Granny

"It's not as simple as that. It's not a black or white issue. There are so many shades of gray."

"There's no grays, only white that's got grubby. I'm surprised you don't know that. And sin, young man, is when you treat people as things. Including yourself. That's what sin is."

"It's a lot more complicated than that--"

"No. It ain't. When people say things are a lot more complicated than that, that means they're getting worried that they won't like the truth. People as things, that's where it starts.

"Oh, I'm sure there are worse crimes."

"But they all starts with thinking about people as things......."

Does everyone see the relevance to the terrible Mr. Trump and his treatment of women?

[Lindsay Aikman]

1. Pratchett's Human Wisdom

Thanks for this. There are a lot of profound passages in Discworld books. I love Granny Weatherwax.

Mr. Trump is unbelievably vulgar and horrible, but most of us saw that from the very beginning.

The Repubs thought they would use him, but he's just used them.

I'd guess that Trump will be trying to start his own political party very soon.

[Hekate]

2. Always a pleasure to meet another fan of Sir Terry's

I've marked many passages in his books.

Esme (Granny) Weatherwax is one of my favorite people of all time. Her grasp of headology is legendary for good reason, and as you can see from her conversations with Mightily Oats, she has no time for gods, though she's met a few.

Trump does indeed treat people, especially women, as things. They simply don't exist except insofar as he can use them for something. His relationship to women is pretty much like most people's relationship to meat on the plate: is it tasty? Is it attractively garnished? It would be absurd to pause, fork and knife in hand, to ask the meat what it thinks and how it feels.

[Rincewind]

4. I'm also rather fond of Sir Pterry's books,

as you might be able to guess.

[Hekate]

5. I rather thought so.

Also Ptracy, from the looks of things.

[Staph]

3. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I adore Granny Weatherwax! She is who I want to be if I ever grow up.

[LongTomH]

6. Thank you for the kind comments! It's always a pleasure to meet fellow fans of Sir Terry!!!

[Nac Mac Feegle]

7. I suspect that there are many fans of Sir Terry

In many places, around D.U.

His wisdom is sorely missed.

[Maeve]

8. kicking for Pratchett's wisdom

Yeah, I expect a LOT of fans here on DU!