Before becoming priests on the ancient Greek island of Samothraki, candidates were required to answer three questions in the public agora. Those who answered all three were admitted; honors and riches followed. The first two questions concerned worship practices, and any well-coached candidate could answer them. The third question, however, was “What is the worst thing you have ever done, the deed that left your soul most naked, that could show you up for the coward and betrayer you are, … [Read more...]