text | un: U.F.

[almaredemptoris]

To Whom It May Concern,

Based on the current cycle of the moon, Easter ought to fall on the 7th Sunday from today, which would make tomorrow Ash Wednesday. I do not expect that a great many here share in these traditions, being that we are refugees of countless lands. I wish only to ask if any have attempted to establish the faiths of our home lands here in this new one, if there exist places of worship outside of the temples of Olympia and Wyver.

With sincerest thanks,

U.F.

Comments

[almaredemptoris]

It marks the beginning of six weeks of repentance, leading up to the celebration of Easter. It is not meant to be fun. Rather, one reflects on their sins and aims for redemption.

[vorrutyer]

That might be the most depressing thing I've ever heard. Why on earth would you want to bring something so utterly dreadful into this world?

[almaredemptoris]

I have no intention of forcing anyone to practice who does not wish to do so. To go through the motions means little if you don't truly mean it. Moreover, you misunderstand. Lent is a season of repentance, but it concludes with Easter, a day that celebrates the possibility of man's salvation.

[vorrutyer]

The only reason salvation would be any fun at all would be if it came after six weeks of heavy sinning.

[almaredemptoris]

Then we see the world in very different ways, monsieur.

[vorrutyer]

Oh, I don't believe that one bit. Anyone who thinks he doesn't love to sin is deluding himself. There'd be no point in forbidding it if it weren't fun, after all.

[almaredemptoris]

That which is sinful is not considered so because it is fun, but because it distances man from God.

[vorrutyer]

Then god is - please do forgive me, mon ami, if I sound indelicate - a giant buzzkill.

[almaredemptoris]

There are matters of greater importance in this life than having fun.

[vorrutyer]

All right, but consider my non-theistic point of view. If you remove belief in your god from the equation...then what's more important? Hm?

[almaredemptoris]

Very well. Even then I would say that living honestly and justly has brought me far more contentment than any other life I have known. Serving others rather than serving only oneself makes a man fuller.

[vorrutyer]

Eugh. And how does one go about that? How do you live justly?

[almaredemptoris]

I do not claim to know all the answers. To me, living justly means doing what I can for those who are less fortunate.

[vorrutyer]

Ah, but that's a slippery slope, mon ami. That's the sort of thing that can end in destruction - of yourself, and of others.

[almaredemptoris]

I'm not certain I follow.

[vorrutyer]

Well, Monsieur...Let's say someone is in need. Begging on the street. How much do you give?

[almaredemptoris]

10 francs is the least I could give, I should think.

[vorrutyer]

But they need more than that. Why so little?

[almaredemptoris]

On the contrary, that is a week's wages at a decent rate.

[vorrutyer]

Why not a month's?

[almaredemptoris]

Would that I could. I am hardly made of money, but I give what I can every chance I have. [He is far too humble to specify that he visits with the poor and needy on a daily basis, that a far larger portion of his cache of savings goes to them than to his own needs.]

[vorrutyer]

Then why don't you give up your flesh? There are people out there who need to eat, after all.

[almaredemptoris]

You cannot be serious. If there is one in need of food, I would do better by them to give bread. Moreover, what do you intend with so many questions?