[ Under normal circumstances the eyes would have freaked Mikami out, but circumstances have moved about six stages past normal weeks ago and now he's all he can think is 'Oh. Huh.' and 'giving him my description might have been fairly useless if he's blind(?)'. ]
I am. It's a pleasure to meet you properly.
[ After their first conversation was... anonymous soul-spilling. Embarrassing. ]
[ We indeed shall!! Mikami decisively moves to seat them at the table furthest away from the center of the room. While he prefers public meeting places overall, he has no actual desire to mingle. Or be seen. Or interact with more people than absolutely necessary.
His order is black coffee because that's the kind of person he is. ]
Do you mind telling me a little about the work you've done here this far? I'm very curious about faith in Lunatia.
[That makes two of us, then; if it's not going to be absurdly strong, there really isn't much point, as far as Gray is concerned. Less the desire for a lack of complications and more a desire for one of the few vices he allows himself.]
Unfortunately, my own reach has not been far here - perhaps to be expected, because I've only just arrived. I work largely out of the hospital here, administering rites and hearing confessions from those who need such services most. I'm currently in the process of obtaining a license for an establishment here, however; I intend to establish a proper church eventually.
Which branch of religion did you observe in your own world?
[ He's figuring it's got to be Christianity, but he's also aware that that has a lot of flavors to it. Not that he's looked into them much deeper than the base differences between protestants and catholics, but he's not opposed to learning should that come up. ]
[...I mean, it's either very much Anime Catholicism, or Angels of Death has some really weird ideas about American Catholics. But it's Catholicism just the same.
He also didn't...start out Catholic, but that's another story, and not one he's particularly willing to tell.]
As well it should be. Faith in one's god is not something that should be decided for the benefit or the placation of others; I find that as long as the belief itself is steadfast and one's actions are aligned with that of their god's decree, then there is little argument to be had about the particulars of worship and how much one chooses to display it.
[ Mikami nods, visibly pleased by the assessment. ]
I have great respect for most of the shrines in my city [ the ones he doesn't respect? they know what they did ] even if my schedule doesn't allow me to participate in services.
The only type of organized worship I find deplorable is that which leans on aesthetics and display of wealth more than genuine expressions of faith and internalizing of the God's teachings.
I assume that such feelings extend likewise to those that would exploit the members of their flock...? Be it financially or otherwise.
[His voice is even, not seeming to pass judgement one way or another; it's not something he discusses openly, but he's had more than his share of experiences with religious institutions that did...interesting things to their congregations in the name of praise and worship.]
[ It doesn't sound like this is even worth being called a question to Mikami. ]
In many ways, abusing faith for one's own pleasure and gain is worth than having no faith at all. I don't have any problems with people who live ethical lives without consciously devoting themselves to the teachings of a deity. They are offering better worship than faulty religious figures ever could.
[He sounds neither pleased nor displeased with this notion; it's just an assessment.]
Devotion in and of itself runs a fairly broad spectrum, whether it be to a deity or to one's morals and principles alone. I've always held great respect for those who maintain that devotion, particularly when challenged; it isn't as simple as some would make it out to be. Tests of faith - whether religious or otherwise - are rarely as insurmountable as they seem, and those that grasp that have a strength that deserves recognition.
[ Now this? This is speaking Mikami's language. He always looks stern and attentive, but hearing his own thoughts stated back at him makes him also look alive, a certain passion flaring in his eyes. ]
Exactly. There is much talk of circumstance forcing one to act against their beliefs one way or another, but I have found that many times these explanations are nothing more than excuses for one's own lack of conviction.
Being tested comes with sacrifice and setbacks, that is for sure, but persevering is worth it, even outside of being its own reward.
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divinesight) wrote2020-02-21 08:46 pm
no subject
I am. It's a pleasure to meet you properly.
[ After their first conversation was... anonymous soul-spilling. Embarrassing. ]
Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.
no subject
[Shall we, then?]
no subject
His order is black coffee because that's the kind of person he is. ]
Do you mind telling me a little about the work you've done here this far? I'm very curious about faith in Lunatia.
no subject
Unfortunately, my own reach has not been far here - perhaps to be expected, because I've only just arrived. I work largely out of the hospital here, administering rites and hearing confessions from those who need such services most. I'm currently in the process of obtaining a license for an establishment here, however; I intend to establish a proper church eventually.
[So there's that.]
no subject
[ He's figuring it's got to be Christianity, but he's also aware that that has a lot of flavors to it. Not that he's looked into them much deeper than the base differences between protestants and catholics, but he's not opposed to learning should that come up. ]
no subject
[...I mean, it's either very much Anime Catholicism, or Angels of Death has some really weird ideas about American Catholics. But it's Catholicism just the same.
He also didn't...start out Catholic, but that's another story, and not one he's particularly willing to tell.]
And you, if I may ask...?
no subject
[ He's not sure how well known it would be outside of Asia, so he thinks it best to specify. ]
Though to me faith has always been a private matter more than anything.
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no subject
I have great respect for most of the shrines in my city [ the ones he doesn't respect? they know what they did ] even if my schedule doesn't allow me to participate in services.
The only type of organized worship I find deplorable is that which leans on aesthetics and display of wealth more than genuine expressions of faith and internalizing of the God's teachings.
no subject
[His voice is even, not seeming to pass judgement one way or another; it's not something he discusses openly, but he's had more than his share of experiences with religious institutions that did...interesting things to their congregations in the name of praise and worship.]
no subject
[ It doesn't sound like this is even worth being called a question to Mikami. ]
In many ways, abusing faith for one's own pleasure and gain is worth than having no faith at all. I don't have any problems with people who live ethical lives without consciously devoting themselves to the teachings of a deity. They are offering better worship than faulty religious figures ever could.
no subject
[He sounds neither pleased nor displeased with this notion; it's just an assessment.]
Devotion in and of itself runs a fairly broad spectrum, whether it be to a deity or to one's morals and principles alone. I've always held great respect for those who maintain that devotion, particularly when challenged; it isn't as simple as some would make it out to be. Tests of faith - whether religious or otherwise - are rarely as insurmountable as they seem, and those that grasp that have a strength that deserves recognition.
no subject
Exactly. There is much talk of circumstance forcing one to act against their beliefs one way or another, but I have found that many times these explanations are nothing more than excuses for one's own lack of conviction.
Being tested comes with sacrifice and setbacks, that is for sure, but persevering is worth it, even outside of being its own reward.