Word: deus
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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From the beginnings of history, when many of his favorite gods were gods of war, man has invoked the deity in battle. Medieval Crusaders cut their way toward Jerusalem-sometimes through fellow Christians-shouting "Deus vult!" (God wills it!). Yankee soldiers in the Civil War marched into battle singing about God's "terrible swift sword." In World War II, both sides felt that God was behind them: Wehrmacht soldiers fought with GOTT MIT UNS emblazoned on their belt buckles; Americans were urged to "praise the Lord and pass the ammunition...
...little chap, just 16 years old, who supports his careworn mother and stands up to a stepfather of "intemperate habits," not to mention an assortment of other bullies. Young Frank finally rescues a rich man's child from kidnapers, thus earning himself the gratitude of that good old deus ex machina known as the Benefactor, without whom no Alger novel is complete. But before everybody rolls over in another fit of giggles at the naive old 19th century, certain facts should be noted...
...Deus Dux. One way out of the dilemma would be for Ralph and his wife to separate or seek the church's permission to live together platonically. (Since the church does not recognize his remarriage, conjugal relations between them are considered adulterous.) Another way would be for Ralph to try to get his first marriage annulled by church tribunals-a process that despite recent reforms may take years and entail a considerable outlay of money...
...bishop miscalculated. A group of conservative laymen called Deus Dux ("God is our leader") sent a letter of complaint to Rome and held a "pray-in" in front of Bishop Tracy's apartment. Even worse for the good-conscience cause, Tracy's announcement touched off an ecclesiastical storm in the hierarchy...
...that is now called culture, education, civilization," Nietzsche prophesied, "will one day have to appear before the incorruptible judge, Dionysus,"-the Greek god of ecstasy, intoxication and madness, the deus ex machina of all the highs. Nietzsche even imagined the scene: "How cadaverous and ghostly the 'sanity' " of all the obsolescent rationalists will appear as "the intense throng of Dionysiac revelers sweeps past them." That day, in all its mixed exhilaration and despair, seems near...