Thea's Religious Adventure (from Scott)
Father Chan has some words for you. He's about 50, a calm, quiet Chinese man with workman's hands. He's been very happy to have you at the monastery. He's rather hard to think of as a man, because of his innocent and serene demeanor.
"My child, I know you're conflicted about your role in the 'Verse. The Book tells us to turn the other cheek, but often a warrior must strike first, without warning, to accomplish her goal.
But remember, these are bad men. Even innocent men who work for bad men are not innocent. They bear the blood of their employers on their hands.
I feel that you're doing good work, bringing these men to face the Justice they so richly deserve for their actions. However, it's inevitable that in a violent conflict, you will at some point inflict violence where there should not be any: A child, a mother, an innocent bystander.
Your inner conflict shows that your a person to whom these questions are not just academic: they have real consequences. To this end, I think you should consider a penance. A penance that will be meaningful, and shrive you of your sins, but one which is also meaningful to the society you're trying to protect. I think a certain amount of time, or monetary donations, to a cause in which you believe, which betters your community, would be a very good start.
Don't forget: The Lord expects us to help those we can, and do the least harm possible. Keep your faith in God, and he will guide your hand so that the good is emphasized, the bad is minimized.
Rest, and think on these words, sister. Then go back into the world, and meet it with the talents God has given you. The Lord calls us to be sheep among the wolves, but some are lambs, and some are rams. Some are called to be innocent, some to protect the innocent. Go forth, and do that.
Te absolve in nomine patri, et fili, et spirtu sanctu."
"My child, I know you're conflicted about your role in the 'Verse. The Book tells us to turn the other cheek, but often a warrior must strike first, without warning, to accomplish her goal.
But remember, these are bad men. Even innocent men who work for bad men are not innocent. They bear the blood of their employers on their hands.
I feel that you're doing good work, bringing these men to face the Justice they so richly deserve for their actions. However, it's inevitable that in a violent conflict, you will at some point inflict violence where there should not be any: A child, a mother, an innocent bystander.
Your inner conflict shows that your a person to whom these questions are not just academic: they have real consequences. To this end, I think you should consider a penance. A penance that will be meaningful, and shrive you of your sins, but one which is also meaningful to the society you're trying to protect. I think a certain amount of time, or monetary donations, to a cause in which you believe, which betters your community, would be a very good start.
Don't forget: The Lord expects us to help those we can, and do the least harm possible. Keep your faith in God, and he will guide your hand so that the good is emphasized, the bad is minimized.
Rest, and think on these words, sister. Then go back into the world, and meet it with the talents God has given you. The Lord calls us to be sheep among the wolves, but some are lambs, and some are rams. Some are called to be innocent, some to protect the innocent. Go forth, and do that.
Te absolve in nomine patri, et fili, et spirtu sanctu."
posted by Mike at 1:16 PM
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