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John Byrne
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 2:29pm | IP Logged | 1 post reply

So, a bit of drift in another episode thread got me wondering.

Is the power of the Cross to stop vampires due to the faith of the one weilding it, or the former faith of the vampire? Would a formerly Jewish vampire yeild to a Star of David even if a Catholic was holding it?

What would work on a vampire who'd been an atheist? A copy of Christopher Hitchens?

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Michael Penn
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 2:44pm | IP Logged | 2 post reply

Chris Claremont had Wolverine fail to stop Dracula by making a cross with his claws -- but then Nightcrawler felled him with two sticks. Mr. Claremont also had Dracula grab Kitty by the neck and her Star of David necklace burned Dracula's hand.

It's a strange dynamic to ponder, though. The particular vampire might have had a belief during life -- does his human adversary have to possess the same belief... or just any belief? What if the vampire became such as a believer in Thor? Would he have carte blanche the world over today? (Or would, in the Marvel Universe, merely seeing Thor himself just cause that vampire to instantly explode?)

Would a statue of Buddha really be like a crucifix?!
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Eric Sofer
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 3:09pm | IP Logged | 3 post reply

Jews cannot become vampires. Why don't vampires attack Jewish Lawyers and Bankers?

Professional courtesy.

Perhaps an aspect of becoming a vampire is that one was a worshiper of Christ in some aspect?

Maybe that's a type of "population" control. The ultimate predators can't do too much, or their population would starve itself out. I mean, let's be honest... when we kill a cow and eat it, it doesn't get resurrected as a carnivore.
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Dave Kopperman
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 3:54pm | IP Logged | 4 post reply

 Eric Sofer wrote:
Why don't vampires attack Jewish Lawyers and Bankers? Professional courtesy.

Dude, from one Jew to another, wtf?
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Mal Gardiner
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 4:02pm | IP Logged | 5 post reply

Stephen King explored exactly that theme in Salem’s Lot. Father Callahan faced down Barlow the vampire, started to doubt the power of his faith, and suddenly he was just holding two sticks. I like the concept, otherwise vampires would be utterly hamstrung because there is religious iconography everywhere. I think it means the vampire has faith in the faith of the wielder, regardless of the religion employed.

*slight grammar edits*


Edited by Mal Gardiner on 11 May 2018 at 4:04pm
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Robbie Parry
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 4:06pm | IP Logged | 6 post reply

 John Byrne wrote:
What would work on a vampire who'd been an atheist?

Yes, how would it affect me if I was a vampire? I can't imagine the cross would have me recoiling in horror!
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Andy Mokler
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 5:41pm | IP Logged | 7 post reply

Not sure if a new thread would be preferred but JB, do you have any thoughts or feelings about Hitchens?  I've only recently discovered him on YouTube but with my bias, find him very compelling and entertaining.
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Andy Mokler
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 5:42pm | IP Logged | 8 post reply

Vampires are a polite bunch, aren't they?  Respecting religion, waiting for permission to enter...all in all, they give you a sporting chance at least.
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Eric Jansen
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 5:51pm | IP Logged | 9 post reply

DRACULA 2000 was not a great movie, but I thought the revelation that Dracula was in fact Judas Iscariot was sort of brilliant.  Not only did the revelation explain why he cowered from the cross, but it even explained the vampire's aversion to silver--it reminded him of the 30 pieces of silver he took to betray Jesus.
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Doug Centers
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 6:08pm | IP Logged | 10 post reply

One of my favorite vampire scenes!

LINK
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Mike Norris
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 6:57pm | IP Logged | 11 post reply

I am reminded of the classic punch line

"Oye vey, have you got the wrong vampire!". 
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Peter Martin
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Posted: 11 May 2018 at 7:02pm | IP Logged | 12 post reply

I think it is neither in the power of the wielder, nor in the former faith of the vampire; I think it is supposed to be an absolute power, at least as formulated by Stoker.

The holy wafer stops a vampire no matter what, because in Stoker's world, the power of God is absolute.

Then again, the rules for vampires are so messed up. They haven't been observed since the outset. In Stoker's novel, Dracula's daytime weakness is basically that he can't shift form. No one has ever utilised the vampire's power to shrink so that they can fit through cracks, bar Stoker. 
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