After all, as educated men, we should realize that myths always stand for other things. They are toys for children teething. The man knows that the toy horse is not a true horse but merely suggests the idea of a horse to a baby's mind. When we pray before the statue of Zeus, though the statue contains him as everything must, the statue is not the god himself but only a suggestion of him. Surely, as fellow priests, we can be frank with one another about these grown-up matters.
In Gore Vidal's "Julian," the concept of myths and representations is explored through the lens of educated individuals who understand that symbols serve a greater purpose. These myths and their representations act like toys for children, meant to convey ideas rather than serve as literal interpretations. Just as a toy horse evokes the concept of a horse without being one, religious idols symbolize ideas beyond their physical forms.
The analogy extends to religious practices, where praying before a statue does not equate to worshipping the statue itself but rather acknowledging what it represents. This highlights the understanding among educated individuals, particularly among priests, that the essence of divinity is captured in symbols rather than confined to physical entities. Such discussions can promote honesty and deeper comprehension of their shared beliefs.
