Well, very simply, it's because we're the followers of the true god and the rest of you are not. 

(spoken like a follower of R'hllor)

Oh this is a fascinating subject, great idea DNA.

Were you guys around when Varamyr Fourskins over at WiC put up his Ragnarok theory? I loved his idea that the ultimate battle would not be between Ice & Fire (Others vs. Dragons, or Others vs. R'hllor etc), but between the representatives of humanity and magic. The ultimate goal being the elimination of magic from Westeros, be it Ice magic or Fire magic. Here is the theory (it's a long read, but interesting!). I'm not sure I agree with all of his demonstration, however I would like one of his predictions to come true, regarding Jaime and Bran - and how their conflict put everything in motion and how the story should come full circle and they should meet (and oppose) each other again, this time with

Spoiler

Bran being on the side of darkness (and magic) and Jaime being more on the good side and fighting for mankind. I used tags for this because because I didn't want TV viewers to be alerted to the character transformation that happens as of ASoS

I know it sounds a bit dramatic, I meant it in a more symbolic way.  From a literary perspective, I'd definitely support this ending much more than Jon, Dany and X riding/warging dragons and melting every Other in their path. I'm sorry, I guess I'm not that big of a fantasy fan, but I hate this whole dragon riding business. 

The Others & The Children of the Forest, now this is a subject I really dig. For the life of me, I still can't find a connection between them that I'm satisfied with. I suspect there has to be more to them that we don't know, and that it may influence how we perceive them considerably. Might be the Children are not just the innocent tree-hugging hippies we all think, might be that The Others are not that evil after all, who knows. I strongly believe there is a connection between the Starks and the Others that we've only be given hints so far - especially if you look at Old Nan's stories. 

But if there's one thing I'm really curious about, it's the imbalance between seasons, because I seem to recall GRRM confirming (or is this just a popular theory?) the imbalance to be magical, and I think that the answer to what caused this should give us an answer regarding the end of the series. 

PS: DNA - But the followers of R'Hllor and those practicing blood magic aren't the only ones to wield supernatural power. Um...wights anyone?  Ice, Ice, Baby! 

I wish I had read that theory and post for that theory Macha. Must have avoided the site between episodes
or not joined the site.

I believe the " Spirituality" and " Mysticism " in the ASOIAF series forms a composite from Pagan Cults
and Deities from around the world and the cultures that they thrived in. The " Religion " (i.e.. the Seven,
Faceless People Temple and Rh'llor ) part reminds me of early Catholicism, Bhudhism/ Confusciasm
--sorry spelling, and Zoroasterism . Of course many may argue that these too began as cults also. I get
the European/Asian/ Mid East Influences, but the Mystics and Seers peak my interest more.

I grew up without Religious Denominations but was soon introduced to Christianity as practiced in the West.
My early years observed Voudon ( Voodoo ) and Fire Rituals. I have seen bizarre things manifest but as an
impressionable young person that may be questionable. I did have a aunt that was a bonafide Voudon
Priestess and Medicine Woman, I was named after her in fact. My interests are mostly in science but I do
hold spiritual belief and have read Karen Armstrong ( non biased reference) extensively. Mayhaps Cary
has heard of her. I believe that there is only one God that has many names and represents all that is
good and true. My theory is full of holes but then I never claimed it perfect, it's just faith.

I like Tywin's take the most, "The gods aren't merciful that's why they are gods. He believes in them, he just doesn't like them very much." Jaime's also strikes a chord, "if the gods are just, why is the world so full of injustice."

I like when Osha and Bran are around the Godswood.  She's telling him Robb is going the wrong way, that there are no more Godswoods in the South that they have been forsaken and burned/chopped down.  That is telling for me.  Some of what I take it to mean is that Wildings still worship the Godswood and they are considered "barbarian", yet these other or newer/different Gods seem more outlandish to her.

@Andrew 8!!!!! Times?!?

^I just read every night before bed, haha. I read a lot. Back in highschool, i'd read for two or three hours each night. I didn't get a lot of sleep my freshman year, to be honest.

@ Aegon - Wouldn't those be the Greenseers? Or Gardeners, perhaps.

Andrew wrote:

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^I just read every night before bed, haha. I read a lot. Back in highschool, i'd read for two or three hours each night. I didn't get a lot of sleep my freshman year, to be honest.

@ Aegon - Wouldn't those be the Greenseers? Or Gardeners, perhaps.

---

 I don't want to be accused of sacrilage, but pssst.  George R. R. Martin is not the only awesome writer of fantasy! You can get into other authors while waiting for the next Martin novel.  For instance, I just picked up Terry Brooks' 9,231th and latest Shannara novel. (Okay, borderline Y.A. there, but still, easy to read and continuous.)

Aegon the Conqueror wrote:

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I like Tywin's take the most, "The gods aren't merciful that's why they are gods. He believes in them, he just doesn't like them very much." Jaime's also strikes a chord, "if the gods are just, why is the world so full of injustice."

---

 or maybe Tywin is thinking of himself in that sentence. It´s all about power and strength to him and that´s the way he thinks about the idea of god. Like the Greeks humanizing the gods of Olympus.

To me GRRM makes it clear that if there is a god,  has forgotten the planet long time ago. Religion is religion whatever the time or  the number of gods or their form (the trees are more primitive Gods apparently, the Seven are more sofisticated like greek´s gods, the faceless man is exotic and so on, we have all those religion right now too). 

I also think that the final confrontation should be between nature and magic (or religion,  not very different things for me).

Lyanna Stark wrote:

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I like when Osha and Bran are around the Godswood.  She's telling him Robb is going the wrong way, that there are no more Godswoods in the South that they have been forsaken and burned/chopped down.  That is telling for me.  Some of what I take it to mean is that Wildings still worship the Godswood and they are considered "barbarian", yet these other or newer/different Gods seem more outlandish to her.

---

 I haven't started my re-read project yet, was this from the ASOIAF books or GoT ? I like Osha's pragmastic POV, whether

said onscreen or not, she speaks plainly and true.

Aegon the Conqueror wrote:

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I'm with you on the reading each night thing.
Nah can't be Greenseers seeing as Maester Luwin is convinced they don't exist.

---

 Maester Luwin believed in Science ( physical proof and reproducible results ) and Healing Arts. He was also a

well rounded man of letters, history and literature. The spiritual and religious world he respected and was known

to have taken an excellerated course at the Citadel ( unlike most of his colleques ) but as most scientist and scholars

do, fall short of explaining what is true and accurate. It's just that it takes Faith to believe and that's a Conflict. I

am tested by this as well.

 

I cannot imagine reading a book for a few hours each day, for me it's 2.5 to 3.5, I'll stay up to the wee hours to do so.

Television for me then and now is secondary if at all. I guess it's a cultural thing too, I grew up without one until my

family migrated to the States. Reading was my lifeline to the world.

Cary Storm wrote:

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Andrew wrote:

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^I just read every night before bed, haha. I read a lot. Back in highschool, i'd read for two or three hours each night. I didn't get a lot of sleep my freshman year, to be honest.

@ Aegon - Wouldn't those be the Greenseers? Or Gardeners, perhaps.

---

 I don't want to be accused of sacrilage, but pssst.  George R. R. Martin is not the only awesome writer of fantasy! You can get into other authors while waiting for the next Martin novel.  For instance, I just picked up Terry Brooks' 9,231th and latest Shannara novel. (Okay, borderline Y.A. there, but still, easy to read and continuous.)

---

 Well, I've een waiting to discern whether it was appropriate at this site to begin a " What Are You Reading " Section with

members adding Topics and Subtopics to it. For me it's a way to weather the time between GoT seasons and share other

intriques and authors. We are so few and I have no idea what else you guys do. I say go for it but we need permission to

since the board is set up by the moderators. I think we need a " What Are You Watching" Section too and with the same

parameters. What do you think ? 

Wildseed, topics can be started without mod approval. So, go for it, a "what are you reading" thread would be most welcome.
I meant for the Movies & Entertainment thread to be a "what are you watching" sort of place for now, since we're still a small group and can keep the discussion in one place. But whenever you feel a more specific thread is needed, tell us about it or start a new one, anyone can do it.

DonalNoyesArm wrote:

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Huh, I have read all the books and only now I realize that Septa and Septon come from Septem which is Latin for the number seven.

DUH! Me teh stupid herp derp!

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 Nah, you just needed that to dawn on you, which means you hadn't thought it through. What was your family's

faith practice in Aruba. My guess is that it was Catholic as most Latin derived countries go, it became a factor in

Haiti as well. Still most believe and practice Voudon in secret as western influence brands it socially unacceptible.

I have Big issues with Missionaries that used to come on shore. Ironically I was nearly a recruit to do what they do.

DonalNoyesArm wrote:

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Huh, I have read all the books and only now I realize that Septa and Septon come from Septem which is Latin for the number seven.

DUH! Me teh stupid herp derp!

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 DNA, "derp" was my first thought when I read your post  

Macha wrote:

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Wildseed, topics can be started without mod approval. So, go for it, a "what are you reading" thread would be most welcome.
I meant for the Movies & Entertainment thread to be a "what are you watching" sort of place for now, since we're still a small group and can keep the discussion in one place. But whenever you feel a more specific thread is needed, tell us about it or start a new one, anyone can do it.

---

 I see, it was unclear and still is. Would Book Recommendations and Movies and Television become " Movie and

 Entertainment " Threads instead of " Topics" ? I thought is was " Fun and Games " . I thought actually it was

 a place to upload YouTube Videos and Misc Fandom of GoT. Sorry, if unsure I tend to refrain from use.

Macha wrote:

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 I think it would be interesting to find out what exactly caused the imbalance between these two elements - because I believe that the end goal in ASOIAF would be the restoration of that balance. 

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 I don't think we'll get to see that, GRRM has been adamant that he isn't going to do the Mediclorian thing, explaining the origin of the power, why it works and were it comes from.

DonalNoyesArm wrote:

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I was raised Catholic, but I am currently non-religious.

I think The Drowned God and The Seven capture aspects of Catholisim, fascinating how Martin made them his own though.

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 Actually most " Religions " use that rite of water for purity. Whether you're a Pagan,Ecumenical or Muslim, it implies

 that in the ritual. As new practices emerged, they copied certain aspects of the other.  It's common to consider

 consider Catholic because that's your background I think ( drowned god and Seven ). Whereas my first answer

 was Pagan  to Christian practices for both. In the States Baptist are big on Baptisms,even claim it their own. 

 Another Chicken vs Egg story.

Hopefully when the series is done he will write a complete overview of the History of Westeros. Much like the history found within the Appendices of Lord of the RIngs.

I'm hoping for an entire book in its own right.

WildSeed wrote:

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Lyanna Stark wrote:

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I like when Osha and Bran are around the Godswood.  She's telling him Robb is going the wrong way, that there are no more Godswoods in the South that they have been forsaken and burned/chopped down.  That is telling for me.  Some of what I take it to mean is that Wildings still worship the Godswood and they are considered "barbarian", yet these other or newer/different Gods seem more outlandish to her.

---

 I haven't started my re-read project yet, was this from the ASOIAF books or GoT ? I like Osha's pragmastic POV, whether

said onscreen or not, she speaks plainly and true.

---

 Season 2 on HBO.  I believe COK bookwise.  Bran is praying at the Godswood and Osha comes up in chains to discuss it with him. So, it's just around the time Theon is going to betray them.

Baptists, Southern Baptists, I realise the distinguish themselves as a sub category but it seems so pety
of them. Often the entities forget why they exist with the sparring. I've heard of smackdowns occuring !

That's a cute take on Iron Islands as North therefore regular Baptist though, did you ask the Damphair
yo be drowned recently ? Wasn't that cracktastic, being " drowned every so often ? What if you'd just
prefer to swim instead.

He worships the god of ice. Mellisandre would love him.

Wildseed - I actually believe Craster's offerings (and I call them offerings because I'm not so sure the babies ended up dead) have to do with an abandoned northern tradition. Remember in ADwD when Bran sees the godswood at Winterfell at different stages in time? The earliest scene - in terms of timeline - appeared to be a sacrifice in front of the heart tree. I'm thinking sacrifice, and not execution, because it was a woman performing it, and she used a dagger.