Yeah, Azathoth fits the bill in many ways.

…when you remember that the moon influences Earthly rainfall…

I think “borrow” has a bad connotation in the US. Like: “beg, borrow or steal”. But people should remember that it’s theirs, they paid for it with their taxes, they’re just sharing it with others.

My cousin uses the library to get art to hang on their wall. Good stuff too, their library’s got a good curator.

Miracles are all around us, brethren. Sing this hymn and believe…

The electricity monster was caught by Jesus! Why do you think electric poles are all crosses?

complications around how a personal relationship–or even the perceptions of one-- might affect workplace decisions

Agreed with everything you said. Just wanted to add the term “conflict of interest” to this part. If they had to make a decision that was good for the team and/or the customer, but bad for their lover, they might not make the best decision.

During roman times, it was common with complete orgies.

oh fam thank you… I needed a good laugh…

Why did the Romans construct so many buildings? for their ORGIES

Why did the Romans build acqueducts? to clean up after the ORGIES

Why did the Romans make their roads? to get to their ORGIES

Why did the Romans conquer so many people? because they needed folks for their ORGIES

thank you, friend. fwiw you’re kinda right about morality being a social construct, but I don’t know if that’s the best takeaway from all this.

Yeah, I didn’t realize that when I first heard it. I guess that’s why it’s a punishment. If they just hung a tiny parakeet off his neck, it wouldn’t be much of a punishment.

Original Illustration to Samuel Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, 1798 (not colorized).