He does not believe they are gods. For that matter, I think Thor makes reference to them not being gods as we use the term.
True, but since that contradicts the rules of the 70+ issues of the all-time awesome Tomb of Dracula comic. IIRC (and again, it’s been several years since I read 'em), Harold H. Harold an obviously stereotypical Jew of the Woody Allen variety backed Drac down with a cross. And given the whole archangel stuff where God (or Christ specifically) intervenes, it’s pretty clear that in ToD, Drac was allergic to Christ via the Cross, not to one’s belief in Christ. (Otherwise, why would some of the cool stuff they did in ToD, like set up spotlights with crosses painted on them, work?)
I’m willing to assume it was just Claremont not doing his homework this once.
As an aside, if anyone hasn’t read Tomb of Dracula, get the two Omnibuses of the original 70 issues. They’re some of Marvel’s best stuff ever (just keep in mind that the series doesn’t get going until issue 10-15–that range. Before that, it’s rotating writers and artists trying to find a direction)
“and I’m sure he doesn’t dress like that”
I put that down to Cap’s 1944 outlook on life.
While there is not the overt pictorial manifestation of the Judeo-Christian God the Christian pantheon of angels and demons and big “G” Christian God as a character (though not pictured) is pretty much front and center in DC’s “Hellfire” series where hell and Satan are very much the Christian hell and Christian Satan.
Haven’t read that. I was thinking of the Alpha Flight ish where Northstar runs off to Alfheim or something.
Gaiman largely used ancient pagan European mythology in his stuff.
Flaw in the English language, and other Indo-European languages I suppose. Or no, conceptual flaw. We use the same word for powerful non-unique guys like Thor as for philosophical ideas like the Prime Mover, or St. Anselm’s imagined maximal God who is averred to be real because he’s the most awesome thing ever and being imaginary would be less awesome.
Wow, 70 issues? Well, I’m sure Marv had a reason to stop after only a few years. 
(Seriously, you think I’m going to side with Marv Wolfman over Chris Claremont, even on Marv’s own characters?)
Additionally, DC has a minor character called Seraph who has had direct conversations with the big G, including a moment where G was quite wrothed by Seraph nearly beating a man to death after he’d surrendered.
By contrast, upon hearing Loki’s sales pitch, the Hulk seems perfectly willing to grant that the guy is a god.
A particular type of god, anyway. Something polysyllabic. Rhymes with “loony”.
Nightcrawler is an ordained minister, apparently a priest but I missed the story of his ordination and don’t see how could it be RCC-kosher (don’t ask me about the details, I have no idea what kind of drugs the writer was on). Empath is a Catholic and there is a story where Magma tells him about meeting Hercules during a moment in which her faith was waning and having it strengthened by the meeting; Empath answers along the lines of “if you need to see, it’s not faith” (plus, seriously, Herc may be strong and all that jazz but there is nothing about that which makes his pantheon preeminent over others, and half the X-Men can kick his ass on a bad day).
nevermind
That is an absolutely awesome summary of the Ontological Argument.
IIRC, the writer-on-drugs in question was Chuck Austen.
WE DON’T TALK ABOUT THAT.
I think it was the same storyline where Nightcrawler (and a bunch of other mutants) were really (descended from) demons. and Angel (and a bunch of other mutants) were really (descended from) angels.
Speaking of Hercules … now, I’m not an expert on Greek/Roman mythology, but wasn’t Herc simply a legendary hero? I didn’t think he was a god.
Well, demigod. His dad (and great-great-grandfather, incidentally) was Zeus.
At the end of Herakles/Hercules’ life, he was (unwittingly) poisoned by his wife Deianira, using a certain potion she had been given by the Kentaur Nessus which would, Nessus said, ensure that Herakles would never be unfaithful to her after it was administered. Said potion was made from Nessus’ blood, and as Nessus was dying from one of Herakles’ poisoned arrow at that time (shot because he had abducted Deiarnia with carnal intent moments earlier), that potion predictably had more malign effects. To wit, once Herakles donned a cloak that had been dipped into the potion he was consumed with such terrible burning agony that death seemed better. Unfortunately, being closer to god than man, he couldn’t die from it. Thus he built (or had built) a pyre upon which he immolated himself. The mortal part of him was consumed and went to Hades. The divine part of him went to Olympus, was given full godhood, and married Hebe, daughter of Hera, to signify his final reconciliation with the Queen of Heaven.
So, yes, Herakles would be a good by the twenty-first century. Though his mortal shade would be in Hades, moping around and looking for a fight.
And father-in-law, though that didn’t kick in till he married the above-mentioned Hebe. And I’m sure he eventually got it on with all his other divine relatives but three.
By which he (and everyone else) was missing out, of course.
Originally, Kurt was more of a lovable rogue (He loved Zorro movies and Errol Flynn). His being a devout Catholic came later.
The first Nightcrawler miniseries was a wild, swashbuckling romp across dimensions. It’s just plain fun. The second Nightcrawler miniseries is all about faith and attempting to do good in a world of so much evil. I love both series
Non spoilers from the second series-
Talking about the priesthood-
Kurt-‘It’s not so different from the X Men. We wear uniforms. We have special powers. We follow a magnificent leader-’
Father whasssisname- Me? Now, Kurt, I’m not-
Kurt- Not you. (Points at crucifix) Him.
Chatting with Professor X
Kurt-’ Are we communicating telepathically?’
Professor- ‘No, you’re just hallucinating from blood loss.’
Kurt-‘Ah. Danke for you honesty, herr professor.’
Professor- ‘You seem disappointed.’
Kurt-’ It’s just- If I’m dying, there’s some one else I expected to see’
Professor- ‘Don’t you see Kurt? He answered your prayer. You’re going to live.’
Back to the OP
Marvel had a character named the Crusader. He saw it as his God given mission to destroy ‘false gods’ like Thor and Hercules. His powers rose and fell with his level of faith.
Actually it should have been four.
Wow, that sounds … complicated! Thanks for the clarification. I really need to get up to speed on my classical mythology.
Mister Rik if you like comics and mythology, I heartily recommend Eddie Campbell’s Bacchus series.
And I didn’t even mention how Herakles partially reconciled with Hera.