You confuse respect for the divine with respect for a peer, and
erroneously make the mistake that divine respect has to be "earned". It
does not.

Perhaps this is a simple matter of semantics. If you prefer, think of it
as simple etiquette which the divine can and do demand is paid to them
when dealing with mortals. When in the presence of a divine, you must
act in a minimally polite manner. If you do not, it is our prerogative
to discipline the wayward.

Though I understand your argument and desire to have the divine be more
gentle, I simply do not agree with you. I personally do not care what
mortals think of Me, so long as when I interact with them I am treated
with politeness. The same is true if I witness a mortal's interaction
with another divine.

There is a certain type of mortal who enjoys antagonizing the divine and
posturing before Them simply for the sake of it. It is simply not worth
the while to "make a joke" and try to teach some sort of nebulous
"legitimate respect" from someone who will simply feel empowered to be
ever more antagonistic and rude. Trust me. I know the type and can
recognize it in a heartbeat. It is not pettiness to put down the rabid
beast but simple expedience.

And, yes, you are unworthy.


Penned by My hand on the 9th of Urlachmar, in the year 168 CE.