Many people do not hear the voice of any gods at all.
I suspect that this is because many people do not listen. To be fair, I've never heard the Christian god nor any saint--I don't wish to. I don't imagine they would like me very much, because they're pretty clear about that one god thing.
But I suspect most people don't quite realise that it can actually happen. It's a bit of a physical shock, really, when it does.
I believe Joan heard her saints. Occam's Razor: is it more likely that a teenage peasant went batshit nuts and off to war, or more likely she heard and made vows to saints? If she was truly pious, as she was by all accounts, then I suspect that the latter is more likely. Why did she wear men's clothing? Well... again, think about it. She made a vow of chastity. Seems like a reasonable way to keep it, yes? Or maybe god told her to.
Sometimes the gods ask for weird but ultimately harmless things. The Morrigan asked you to pour libations for her daily -- or else? uh okay please don't get mad have at it. Mercury set you to building cairns at crossroads? Have fun, don't get sunburned hunting for all those stones. Saint Catherine said to cut your hair and stop wearing dresses? Seems legit. And hey, short hair is easy to maintain.
In other words, I judge that Joan was sane and her accusers were more likely to be the heretics acting against their god. Because their god is well known to be rather... unamused... by such behaviours, I'm quite sorry for them.
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Elysion Dawning
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Currently:
Elysion, mildly apathetic low-ranking angel.
Recently moved to a small cottage in ante-purgatory.
Hopes the distance will make it easier to ignore the perpetual singing.
Elysion, mildly apathetic low-ranking angel.
Recently moved to a small cottage in ante-purgatory.
Hopes the distance will make it easier to ignore the perpetual singing.