Sermon #1 - text

[raptura]

[Just a simple little post from username 'Bluemarine', but it's posted for everyone to see and the option to reply in any format you like is there, should you feel like it. Somebody sure has the burning desire to ask everyone a question (or piss off as many people as they can, depending).]

How many of you believe in an afterlife? Or...What I should ask is; how many of you understand that you're slaves to fate and destiny, no matter how unhappy yours might be?

You're welcome to try and change my mind on that front, if you think you have the intellect.

Comments

[jiyuujin]

I believe the notion of an afterlife depends on having a life that ends in the first place.

The second point however. Now that stands either way.

[coolerjunpei]

[username: 5star]

slaves to fate? you're joking, right?
i don't care about the afterlife, but i'm pretty sure the rest of this is bullshit.

[spah]

I've been to Hell.

Sorta smells like old person.

Or maybe that was the old man we were taking there. Ain't exactly sure.

un: DOPPO

[lamotrigine]

it’s heartbreaking, isn’t it ... my job sucked back home, too ...

[raptura]

One can always argue that the soul is immortal, of course; given that, as long as you believe you carry one, then no one ends at all and the point is moot.

But that's neither here nor there, I suppose. For the sake of comparison, can I ask you to elaborate on your personal view of fate, if it doesn't match mine as worded in the original post? I'm intrigued, you see.

[raptura]

[yo WHAT. Pucci just stares for a few seconds. What is he reading.]

I'd imagine that old person smells a little better than sulphur and brimstone, at least. They always have the smell of menthol and camphor.

Can I ask what it was like, bar the smell? Haven't made the trip personally, you see.

[raptura]

Not really, but if you don't agree then that's fine. I've seen enough proof to know that I'm right, after all; it should comfort you, to know that every personal struggle you've been through is just a building block for a you to be proud of.

Also, watch your fucking language on my post.

[raptura]

Who's being sarcastic? You go by TheArchivist, and you sound as though you're speaking from experience. I was entirely genuine.

You're not wrong, though. Some people, sadly, cruelly, are fated to be parts of someone else's story and not star in their own. They don't always deserve it, but it's what they get. You can only hope to treasure the memories of people like this, if you love them.

[raptura]

Oh come now, Mr. Lancer. This is meant to inspire discussion, not make you clam up more for no particular reason! Knowing your path ahead so you can walk with steadier steps...Doesn't everyone want that, at least a little? Engage me mentally, come on. :)

[raptura]

[OOOOH he's heard about you, Italy (is it rude to assume that the other person using Italian here is Italy? Maybe. That's what he's doing, though). Time to wiggle his grubby little fingers and have some fun.]

Che piacere vederti! Come va?

...Sorry! It's been a while since I had the chance to use Italian; I haven't visited my extended family since I was a child :) But the afterlife is a divisive thing, though not aggressively so; some people believe, some don't, and even amongst those camps the idea of what's there can vary wildly. It's a good yard stick to measure by, I think.

And maybe...My wording was a little harsh, just to get people's attention. The actual concept of fate, and our being locked into it, is a much gentler and more loving thing! Whether you experience positive or negative things, that's simply how things are meant to be. There's no escaping it, certainly, but there's also comfort in knowing that you experience what you experience because you alone are meant to have this unique journey in life. Everything tests and rewards you for Heaven, should you believe in that.

Does that clarify a little better?

[raptura]

Come now, that's not what I meant. Of course fate isn't always kind, and it can be impossible to parse why it works the way it does. I've seen that plenty of times as well, trust me.

But for those of us alive, we struggle on. And struggle we will. Victory won't always be ours, but that makes us hungrier for the next one, or crumbles us into nothing; that's part of fate, too.

[raptura]

[Colour Pucci interested; not shaken or upset, just...Interested. What happens to other worlds doesn't concern him, after all; just the one he's currently in, the one that he can actively get into the guts of and pull inside out. ...That doesn't mean he's not going to act the part of someone who's just had their shit turned upside down, however.]

...Really? Can I ask...Maybe not how you know this, since the implications are enough. If the world is a delusion, then what from? What is humanity doing while they dream?

[raptura]

You sneaky rascal, you had me going there! x) And you're so agreeable, too; I feel that, if we were to meet outside of this, we'd be fast friends. Just look at what fate's done already for us, my word!

[I can't believe Pucci's assmad over smilies online but here we are, this is his gravity; to be a petty shit on the space internet.]

[raptura]

[Ooh, intriguing.]

No, I understand. How you view something, how you label it, is important to you alone. It carries a meaning that no one else can grasp in full. But at the end of the day, it does boil down to the same essence, certainly; as one side grows heavier, the other will come to fall soon enough.

[raptura]

I've never been able to smell depression before, but there's a first time for everything. Then again, being fated for a job you hate can't be easy...Unless you're fated to quit and find happiness. The choice is, at least arbitrarily, yours.

TEXT.

[veryhuman]

You too?

TEXT.

[veryhuman]

As someone else said, "I" have been to Hell.

But I believe in a cycle. I believe we are destined to be reborn and cycle through our lives until our souls believe we have done "right." Then, we are rewarded by being able to do it all over once again.

[coolerjunpei]

fuck that

[That one is actually just for giggles. Okay--]

let me guess, you're one of those nutcases who think pain and suffering build character? the end doesn't really justify the means, you know. i've seen enough proof to know i'm right, after all.

[hopefanatic]

Growing heavier... That's not a way I had ever thought about phrasing it, but it really does give an air of finality. That's how the world is, though.

Were you asking about the afterlife because you were looking to start a theological or philosophical discussion? Or were you just looking to debate?

[He doesn't really care either way, he's just genuinely curious.]

[raptura]

You're very cute and funny :) I wouldn't call myself a nutcase, however. But it's clear that you're not interested in discussion so much as saying I'm wrong because your sum unhappiness isn't to your liking.

Maybe in the next world, you'll be happier, and you'll come around to my way of thinking. I'll try to ensure that.

[raptura]

Then I'll ask the same of you as I did of them; to share the experience, if you're up to it. I'm sure you understand the curiosity.

I didn't expect to find a Buddhist here, however! I'm not sure why that is, but there we are. How many cycles do you believe that you've gone through?

[raptura]

My wording wasn't meant to imply some doom so much as invoke scales! One side weighs down with your experiences, so it must be knocked clean at some point and the other side loaded. Or both, gently added to at the same time. The world is certainly not built for everyone's success, though.

Although I truly want discussion, my wording was such that I wanted to bait people looking for debate, so I can at least have an idea of how careful I should be with my beliefs.

And also because it's funny. :p

[coolerjunpei]

pass. i don't want a "next world," even if it's not perfect in this one. you can just leave me here.

don't call me cute and funny, either.

1/2

[veryhuman]

Of course, I do not mind to share it. I understand your curiosity. But you know, if you gave me enough chroma, perhaps, I could simply let you see it... if this world has a Hell, opening a gateway would be simple.

[veryhuman]

I'm going to ask you not listen to that lunatic.

Here we are, indeed. Amitabha. As for how many cycles, it's hard to say... I would say maybe ... two? Possibly four? I have to count the lunatic that travels with me, after all.