Small Gods (Discworld, #13)

by Terry Pratchett

“It’s happened before,” said the tortoise. “Dozens of times. D’you know Abraxas found the lost city of Ee? Very strange carvings, he says. Belief, he says. Belief shifts. People start out believing in the god and end up believing in the structure.” “I don’t understand,” said Brutha. “Let me put it another way,” said the tortoise. “I am your God, right?” “Yes.” “And you’ll obey me.” “Yes.” “Good. Now take a rock and go and kill Vorbis.” Brutha didn’t move. “I’m sure you heard me,” said Om. “But he’ll . . . he’s . . . the Quisition would—” “Now you know what I mean,” said the tortoise. “You’re more afraid of him than you are of me, now. Abraxas says here: ‘Around the Godde there forms a Shelle of prayers and Ceremonies and Buildings and Priestes and Authority, until at Last the Godde Dies. Ande this maye notte be noticed.’”