Rikku has a question! [voice post]

[knowshermachina]

When the recording starts, there isn't much sound beyond waves hitting against the side of a metal ship, and the faint sound of breathing. But this doesn't go on for very long before Rikku starts to talk.

I was wondering, what do people here think about 'religion'? It's 'cause I was talking to Yunie about it the other day, and we're never, ever

Comments

[stripping]

I'm very fond of my religion (I should be, I'm a monk), but there's plenty of other religions in my world, and most of them I have no problems with. It's people who use their religion to persecute others that I can't stand.

[knowshermachina]

Persecute...I guess they do that to us. They think that since we're still using Machina, we're prolonging how long Sin will be here. So they're never very...friendly. Well, most of them.

How does being a monk work?

[stripping]

Well, I can sort of understand why they wouldn't be fond of you, but I think the evidence that an ancient creature destroys towns because of machines is probably very shady. I don't know how people on my world can believe things like 'an all-powerful all-knowing being will be angry with you if you plant wheat and barley in the same furrough'.

Naturally, it depends what your religion is, and there are regional differences as well. As Buddhist monks, we attempt to reach enlightenment and cleanse ourselves of attachment to the material world. ...There's more to it than that, it's just difficult to explain.

[voice] These have all totally been voice.

[knowshermachina]

I don't really understand it either. They...It's hard to explain.

Oh. That sounds like a lot of work! I don't think I could ever be a monk.

She laughs.

I'm much too attached to all my stuff, for one thing.

Yep, definitely voice. Knew it all along.

[stripping]

It's not a profession for everyone, but it's spiritually rewarding for those who choose it. I can't really imagine being anything else. Besides that one thing, but that was virus-induced.

[voice]

[knowshermachina]

How'd you end up being a monk?

...virus-induced?

Re: [voice]

[stripping]

My father is the head of our temple. It's natural I follow in his footsteps.

Something to do with this community. Don't worry about it.

[voice]

[knowshermachina]

Oh, alright! My dad is the leader of the Al Bhed, I think he wants me to do that. I haven't really worried about it, ya know?

Oh. but...I'm here. Don't I have to worry about it?

Re: [voice]

[stripping]

That's an admirable position.

Well, yes, you do, but it's difficult for me to explain.

[voice]

[knowshermachina]

Maybe. My old brother should've probably been first in line but he's kind of...uhm...

I love him? Yeah, let's go with that.

It's okay, you don't have to explain it! I'm sure I can figure it all out eventually.

Re: [voice]

[stripping]

I know that feeling. My brother is also first in line to become head of the temple, but I don't really know if he has the qualities to be good at the job.

[voice]

[knowshermachina]

Well, to sum it up...my brother's name is 'Brother.'

I don't think my dad ever had much in the way of expectations for him.

Re: [voice]

[stripping]

That's... certainly an interesting name.

[voice]

[knowshermachina]

Isn't it? The weird thing is, I'm younger than him, and his only sibling! So dad named him 'brother' before he was actually a brother!

I've never really understood it.

Re: [voice]

[stripping]

Maybe it was a good-luck kind of thing, hoping that he'd be able to have more children?

...No, I don't know.

Re: [voice]

[knowshermachina]

Maybe! I know my Mom wanted more kids before she died.

Maybe Dad was thinking it really Was good luck. He'd be the sort of person to do that...