The Existence of Chaos

[Duke]

I think this is right - I doubt that the average Imperial citizen has very accurate ideas about the boogieman, but he certainly thinks that there is a boogieman.

It's "just a story" in that the details are almost certainly wrong, and I'm sure there are things about Chaos that your average Imperial citizen hasn't even thought of. In fact, I'm not sure your average Imperial citizen even makes much of a distinction among Chaos, xenos, normal mutation, and plain old human heretics or apostates.

But it's not "just a story" in the sense that your average Imperial citizen thinks that the church's teachings about turning from the light of the Emperor are just complicated ways of getting people to behave correctly - as though he thinks, "When the Ministorum talks about mutation being a threat to immortal soul, it's really just trying to enforce a uniform code of social mores for the efficient governing of Mankind, and possibly to prop up its own decrepit power structure as well."

He thinks, "When the Ministorum talks about mutation being a threat to my immortal soul, it's telling me that mutation is a threat to my immortal soul."

"Religion is the greatest form of crowd control." -Napolean

[Lord Azaghul]

I think the time line of the universe also needs to be taken into account. When were talking about the bulk of things (chaos events, invasitions ect) occuring over the course of 4,000+ years, I would imagine it's hard for the reality of chaos to be understoond by the main poplus. I'm that there would even ben teenagers sitting around talking about how 'cool' chaos would be - failing to understand the true horrors of chaos.

I also think, as touched on before, location and proxcemity are very importaint. Guardsmen ( I'm thinking some of the Guant's Ghost stuff) are going to have a very really understanding of the phycial torment and corruption will be bring - thus a willingness to resist. However to random planet x that has only see the odd ork or eldar raid may simply refer to all xeno's as 'chaos' in one form of another.

[rkiviman]

The 40k universe is the "Dark ages". With that thought in mind there are definite ruling classes and all knowledge comes from them. Probably, not even many of the upper ruling class know of anything going on, but their controlling their own little fiefdoms. The various administrations that do have info on Chaos aren't going to stir the citizens up or cause fear or panic to spread among the populace by making them aware of what's really going on in the surrounding universe!! The average citizen of the Imperium is going to worry more about staying away from the Inquisitors, Planetary governors, Psykers and anything to do with Imperium authority. Their going to just go about their mundane existence and live.Because that's all they know.

[Nabterayl]

It's not even necessarily clear that the men and women who fight Chaos really understand what's going on. After all, if you only interact with a Chaos marine through the sights of your lasgun, how much are you likely to learn? I imagine the fact that a space marine in power armor with a bolter is trying to kill you is likely to take priority in your thoughts over questions such as his life story, his goals, why you're fighting him, or what he thinks about the world, or you, or your religion.

[person person]

I think the time line of the universe also needs to be taken into account. When were talking about the bulk of things (chaos events, invasitions ect) occuring over the course of 4,000+ years, I would imagine it's hard for the reality of chaos to be understoond by the main poplus. I'm that there would even ben teenagers sitting around talking about how 'cool' chaos would be - failing to understand the true horrors of chaos.

I also think, as touched on before, location and proxcemity are very importaint. Guardsmen ( I'm thinking some of the Guant's Ghost stuff) are going to have a very really understanding of the phycial torment and corruption will be bring - thus a willingness to resist. However to random planet x that has only see the odd ork or eldar raid may simply refer to all xeno's as 'chaos' in one form of another.

Agreed.

I remember reading a BT comic that starts of with some feudal/agri-world farmer talking about how benevolent and caring the emperor and the space marines are, as taught by his church etc. Then some orks or "green devils" attack. Then some BT slaughter them and the farmer felt sorry for the orks and decided that they were angels of death instead of saviours, like his church taught him.

[Emperorsmercy]

I'm that there would even ben teenagers sitting around talking about how 'cool' chaos would be - failing to understand the true horrors of chaos.

"Hey guys, fancy doing chaos?"

The Ministorum priests and inquisitors probably take quite a firm stance on chaos abuse.

'Chaos kills... welll, ok, we'll be the ones killing you.'

[person person]

Thats gonna encourage alot of Chaos.