UN: teacupprincess

[porcelainandblood]

There is a beautiful cathedral where I am from. In mine visitation here within the town proper, I do not recall seeing something quite similar to it.

Is there a church, confessional, or a place of worship here?

If not, how do the rest of you revere your patron deities and cleanse your souls?

Comments

un: CFHS

[nonehorse]

I tend to repent by thinking about how my parents would disown me to see how happy I am here, and then I drive myself into anxiety with the thoughts of being thrown into jail for it.

In all seriousness, I miss the beauty of churches and temples and mosques. Religion drives real art into architecture, so it's sad to miss out on that at least. And I'm able to observe my religion without places of worship, thankfully. If you'd like to join me in prayer one day, I'd welcome the company!

[porcelainandblood]

Oh. I suppose those are both effective methods of disciplining one's self, though they seem a bit extreme. I do not think it is a sin for some to find happiness here, if they do.

You sound very connected to spirituality. It is not oft that I make acquaintance with people like so. Truthfully, I am a bit surprised to find someone here so invested in such things. I am not accustomed to making prayer and offering outside of Saint Reymanaud, but mayhaps it is very much time that I did so.

[nonehorse]

Of course, finding happiness is typically not a sinful thing! But where I'm from, people...should provide their parents with grandchildren, and my partner and I aren't capable of doing that, to put it politely.

We're happy, however. And I think that Allah would see our love as good as any other's. ...Even if my kin wouldn't think the same!

It's definitely a pleasant surprise to know that we're not alone, though I normally keep my observation to myself. I'd love to learn of your religion though, and see how you pray compared to how I do! I think it's a fascinating thing, to learn about how things like this differ and don't.

...I'm Mohammed Avdol, by the way! A pleasure :)

[porcelainandblood]

Mine people are not terribly open-minded. Rather, I would not call them such, in comparison to many of the people I have known here. I am inclined to agree that one ought to find happiness when it seeks them out, regardless of what their kin may say.

[That is the right thing to say and she knows that, even if she knows she would not follow it. Rather, her family and traditions maintain a tight grip on her. Still. And she is very much responsible for that. But...]

I should think that the concept of love would follow that same concept. Mayhaps you family in time will allow their thoughts to turn with patience and circumstance. All the same, it is a privilege to make your acquaintance, Master Avdol. I am Perne de Archevauliere, and I shall save you any religious stories on this sun.

text, un: stcethleannfan

[baitless]

I know there to be several temples down in Caihong, though I have never visited them personally. Much of my worship has been private while I have been here, really. I have always liked having a dedicated space for it, but it has never been terribly necessary.

[porcelainandblood]

I was not aware such monuments were meant for worship. I had seen them, but did not inquire too much.

[If only because Perne very obviously doesn't fit in a place like Caihong.]

Is it commonplace for you to have your worship outside of designated mass, then?

[baitless]

I am not certain if worship actually takes place their either, I must confess. I had assumed it would, though as I am not of the local religion, I have not had reason to go to any of them.

I do not know if I would say it is commonplace, but I have done it fairly regularly even in my world. The Goddess generally understands if you cannot actually make it to a church or a cathedral; all she asks is that you make an effort to observe in your own way.

[porcelainandblood]

What a liberating way to perceive it. I suspect that is not something mine people would be inclined to agree with, though they have been known to mayhaps take things too seriously.

Habit and grooming tells me it would be difficult to make prayer to the Fury without something of Hers to revere, yet it seems very unlikely she would hear mine prayers here. It may be blasphemous to say such, however. I have read books about true faith being held within one's heart. Mayhaps that is all that matters.

[baitless]

That is occasionally a problem, isn't it... of course, I wouldn't say that faith isn't serious, but people can certainly get lost in the trappings.

That is what I have been going with, though admittedly, I have been wondering the same thing myself, as far as whether our prayers will actually reach anyone. I suppose that is not as important in the long run, though.

[porcelainandblood]

Should one issue prayer simply for the sake of doing so? That almost sounds more blasphemous.

[His words stick with her, however. The ones about individuals getting overzealous in their religious fanaticism. Does she qualify in that, and if she does, is it by her choice or has it simply become a part of her? She never imagined a simple question to the network would warrant her such food for thought.]

I suppose it may not matter as long as we do what we believe to be most true according to our personal beliefs.

[baitless]

Is it? I don't know. I've never really felt the Goddess was the sort who'd mind if you did something like that. Though, it is as you say. I think so long as you are actually doing what you have been told to do, it should be fine.

anonymous for now

[doctorize]

I don't, because there isn't a God to believe in back home.

At least, not a single one that's actually been proven to be real, anyway.

[... wow, someone's rather bitter about this subject, it seems.]

[porcelainandblood]

Your homeland does not have such proof of their deeds, then?

[But now she's thinking on Halone and the Twelve. Does Eorzea have proof of their own gods? She wants to say that's a negative because if Ishgard is anything to go by, she's largely just eaten anything that was fed to her. And for whatever reason, she still feels like she owes prayers to Halone, so who knows what that means.]

It may be, indeed, quite wise to view such things with scepticism.

[doctorize]

There's stories about Gods claiming they did certain things, sure, but there's also science or other theories that show how those things came to be through other means. As a result, there's no definitive proof that such things exist, nor has one ever truly shown themselves in a manner that can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.

[porcelainandblood]

[Science. Other theories. The concept of science, or whatever passes for it in Eorzea, is not an unfamiliar one, though Perne knows next to naught of such things. She can see how an articulate, methodical, and logical mind might very well overpower ideas brought about by religious theory and texts. There is foolishness is blindly swallowing the gospel that is hand-fed to one.

And she herself. She's not certain she's ever questioned the existence of the gods. There is a difference, she decides betwixt questioning existence and questioning presence.]

Are you of the sciences, then? I could see how you would not be so quick to accept such ideals without concrete evidence if that were the case.

[doctorize]

Something like that, yes.

[He's a doctor rather than a scientist, but he's trying to keep an air of anonymity for as long as he can.]

[porcelainandblood]

[How peculiar. 'Something like it,' he says.
Perne's head is rattling around with possibilities, though she supposes the closest thing she might have to 'scientist' is a member of the Scholasticate, which she isn't even wholly certain is an accurate assessment to make.]

Are there other subjects in which you find yourself with need of concrete evidence to apply belief to? Aside from religious theories, that is.

un: blackcrown

[elight]

Do you find it truly necessary to bind your faith to buildings and pews?

[porcelainandblood]

It is the only method of which I have been raised to believe, as is customary with mine people. Before coming here, I had not met anyone personally who did not practise their faiths outside of such designated monuments.

text | un: konoha

[lumberlady]

is is praying at altar in home... but no know if is hearing in i 's world.

what god is searching for?

[porcelainandblood]

[It is only slightly puzzling to parse through what Konoha means, but... Perne is relatively confident she understands what was meant to be conveyed. Hopefully. Surely she will be corrected otherwise.]

I thought the same thing, actually, though I do not like saying so. It would be preferential if I could be heard here. I understand that this may not be likely.

I would not say I was searching for any god in particular, but I am curious over the religious practises and beliefs of other people. Many of us are foreign here and whilst I am quickly coming to learn that many people here come from mine world, I do not even know of their practises either. I suppose it is merely an idle curiosity. Something to give me thought.

[lumberlady]

[oooh so much text... well, she's still doing her homework if she types her own messages and cheats with the text reader to have the replies read aloud to her, right? right!]

still is giving prayer, to be careful... but yes. no know if is hearing.

is a study? if need i can answer! if is useful.

[porcelainandblood]

[...It's as Perne as trying to decipher the weird little speak Konoha has going on that she takes notice of the username. How many Moonblessed can possibly have Konoha? She thinks of the sweet young lady she met in the forest of crystallised trees...

The same, then? There is no way to ask without being so direct about it? Mayhaps she can work it into the conversation later.]

One may consider it something akin to, aye. Although it is less an official study and more mine personal curiosity. I am rather fond of learning new things and there is certainly no lack of things to learn whilst here.

[lumberlady]

not strong study, is just wanting to know? is alright!

i pray for good harvest! there is many god... husband is praying to great god of mountain.

[porcelainandblood]

[Good harvest. Yes. That's a wonderful reason to make prayer. Perne cannot help smiling, even if Konoha cannot see it. And the moment she makes mention of her husband, Perne feels confident that this Konoha is the one and the same.]

What sorts of thing does your husband pray for? Mine homeland has multiple deities as well, though from mine understanding, they seem to be centred around location or region of the world. I suppose they are connected to the cultures found in those places.