Thoughts on Faith.

You know, it's funny because I was thinking earlier today about gods and religions and stuff, and I thought that if more salarians were religious, they'd just create a goddess that was basically their mother, only more so, if you know what I mean? And then I started thinking that, actually, that's *exactly* how we see our mothers, like they're more mother than they are? So basically, most salarians don't need a god because they've got everything a god would offer *but* - and here's the thing - more down-to-dirt and relatable. I mean, you humans and drell and all, your gods don't forget to take their pills sometimes and so doze off early and miss their scheduled meetings, do they? On the other hand, you can get the shrell away from your gods and they don't keep trying to trace you down and make you come back to Sur'Kesh. So I don't know whether salarians are really clever, like they think they are, or just missing the actual plot entirely, like they tend to do, but basically I think we don't usually need religion the way humans and so on need it.

Daughter's Eyes, it's like I don't know which race is the more screwed up.

Wait, what? I've apparently been following the wrong religion because when *I* died I got told to go back and fix shit my own self because my loved ones needed me to.

When I was a teenager, I didn't believe much in spirits. I lived on Omega, so you guys can probably imagine a list of shitty things suggesting to me there was no higher power in the clouds pulling all our strings. I just...I just got scared when I was dying and thought I'd better offer up a prayer in case anyone was listening.

....And I got my ass enlisted.

I am glad that others have found Faith in their Purpose, and find it unfortunate that some have yet to unite their souls for the Sight to see it clearly. My pity goes with you, as do prayers that those of you who've lost Faith, will find the Strength and Pride to find it once more.


A copy of the Tar'isi - the Mantras - would probably be the best aid. I'm aware of a few other books written by anthropologists and sociologists from lesser kind, and though they predate the most recent incarnation of the Hegemony by several hundred years (from before Khar'Shan became isolated), the Traditions have changed little.

I would...be rather careful in your selection of any religious text from our former government. They were often heavily censored, and only the paper books from the period were allowed to be read uncensored - probably due to the difficulty in obtaining them, if you were not from Khaljah.

^This one offers its gratitude to the other, Tahereh, and fully intends to make use of the resources offered. This one is moved to express its pleasant surprise at how easily batarian posters have offered their perspectives. This one has often given word to its disapproval regarding the Primacy's somewhat isolationist position, but that is as nothing compared to the Hegemony's. Yet this one finds that more than any it is the board's batarians who recognise the potentials inherent in a forum for ideological exchange. The willingness of the other and its kin to embrace the Many Voices provokes much delight in this one; truly has the other reaffirmed this one's mission and purpose!

After the end of the reaper war I met an old shaman who still practiced an old Pre rebellions religion based on the arts of honor and honorable combat called Bunshin. Practice of this involves a balance between meditation and control of your blood rage and ritual practice of various weapons, including the bow and arrow and sword. I find it very calming as well as practical. I believe young krogan would do well to take up meditation, as it helps you to utilize your rage when you need it, and meditation is good practice for concentration.

The weapons are also entertaining to use.

Hrm.

Well originally, the Pillars were all I knew about any sort of religous idea. But I really didn't care for any faith's practicioners that determined I had to die in a cave on Logasiri. After getting introduced into society, I tried other things, mainly turian animism, siari, and after I married Muck according to the rules I'm Greek Orthodox, since I had to be baptized in the faith before we could be married.

The truth though? I believed that there was more good than bad in the universe and that was a sign of some greater purpose behind things.

Now though, I realize my logic was off, and after rexamining things carefully, I concluded that there was no purpose to the universe. There is only us, here because of some quirk of evolution. If there is any power beyond that which we see, it does not interfere in our affairs.

And thats okay.

Because if there is no purpose to the universe, then all that means is we can create our own. And I choose to make it a good one, doing the best I can for whomever I can.

Because this is our only shot. Best make the most of it.

The way I see it, the end of the Reaper War is about as clear a sign we'll get that either (a) there is some sort of higher power out there telling us to stop acting like idiots, or (b) this universe is permanently stuck in Read-Only mode.

I've always seen my self as a deist. Faith is simply a fancy word for belief to me. However, I will say this

Those of have written holy books of the past had seen the best and worst of their own kind.

I see that many others here have allowed themselves to be led astray by their thoughts and their worries, becoming disillusioned and enthralled by ideas which they may feel to be the truth. Indeed, I say that this is common throughout most who live their lives and deal with difficulty. After all, if a just and fair God exists then why would he allow suffering to exist in this universe, especially on the scale that we have seen in recent years.

But, I believe it must be seen that such events are simply a part of the greater scheme in which none can quite possibly ever understand. I do not come to say that I understand all of faith, but that my beliefs have been formed in such a manor that I have found them to be in tune with what I have found as truth. It occurred when I found a book of Ancient Beliefs from Earth, a gift during my stint as a pit-fighter in the Terminus. I had never been able to read before, and I painstakingly went to work reading those words as each and every day I repeated verse after verse after verse until I had much of it memorized. I took in all of it's wisdom before I lost it.

And so it came during my travel's I found myself isolated and alone, starving and desperate for aid when I was approached by the strangest of things: a man dressed in light who offered me both salvation and purpose in life. It was he who gave me my duty now, who provided me with water and transportation and necessities to which I could escape my exile. It was he who gave me the strength to commit to the actions I have done so now. God has smiled upon me, and I do as he wills. Blessed be his name.

While others around me panicked and saw the Reapers as gods or monsters from the darkest of myths, I saw another enemy which would be vanquished just as so many others had by his strong arm and mighty spirit. And were they not driven back by an outpouring of a great light, brought about by the actions of Divinely inspired individuals who did such actions only because the Grace of God did so?

His hand is in all manners, reaching out a caressing us as he works his duty to ensure that ultimately what needs to happen for the best of all life occurs, not just what is needed for the responsibility of one single person. Is it not of coincidence that the savior of our galaxy only is known as Shepard? Is it not of coincidence that our greatest enemy the galaxy has ever faced turned and repaired the Mass Relays we so heavily rely upon? God's hand is out and about, brothers and sisters, and he has ensured that all will be brought to what is the most just and righteous ending which we deserve. For how can we have justice in our world if their is no authority to enforce punishment in the afterlife as well?

All of those who practice faith and goodwill are under his protection, as God is understanding and does not require blind devotion to follow. In the opposition, God demands we investigate and ponder his position, to ponder what it means to be righteous and to live a good life. It is the one demand given to all sapient life: to be just and to improve the galaxy as a whole.

Your Purpose and mine seem to be quite similar.

I don't know what to believe, aside from believing that there is no hope, only survival. What idiotic notions I had about decency, were destroyed in the war.

fixed that for you

I don't know if there's gods or not. Two of my friends are pretty religious but I'm still not sure if gods are real or just a way taht people have about talking about Big Stuff like Birth and Death and War and Salvation and putting a face on the Big Stuff so you can wrap your head around it.

One of my friends thinks religion is a big part of her culture and being true to her ancestors and where she came from. Another...well religion inspired him to be way more than he was before. But sometimes he gets a bit creepy--I don't know how anyone could sacrifice so much.

I guess if there's gods maybe one of them will give me a sign or something someday?

Until then I'm not too worried about it.

Practicing Muslim, which makes me a rarity among pretty much everyone I know.

idk what i am

maybe god is real? but idk

probably not

i can see why a lot of people would turn to religion now. its a bad time. you need something

if they don't turn to alcohol, they need a god




too bad they forget about sex and credits

I'm Anglican myself... not a very good one, honestly. I'm much more interested in studying other religions, ancient or otherwise.


Archaeology and Anthropology....

Even if I'm often using expressions like "Pillars give me strength", I actually picked it up from colleagues at work. My family worships Enaleiok, goddess of order, since immemorial times. Basically she's an eight-eyed goddess, each pair of eyes watching a caste do their job. Those who live a virtuous and ordered life get reincarnated in a higher class in their next life. Those who don't go a primordial chaos where their soul disolves, and another new one is born.
But I'm not very devout, I mostly believe when I see my eye pendant, or when I'm in trouble ::)

I just want to make clear that I'm not that jerk. That one that goes around saying that Enkindled drell aren't real drell, I am not and I have never been that jerk. In fact, I think there have been two Enkindlers in my lifetime. Shepard and Legion!

But yeah, my religion is important to me. It does tie me to my parents, and my ancestors. I think the problem comes because people treat the gods like, the Mr. Burger delivery guy. Or like a protection racket. Just because you pray and are a good person doesn't mean anyone will give you stuff or "take care" of you. The gods are distant and mighty and when they touch us it can tear us to pieces.

I refer to nietzsche on this point.

Since starting to work directly for the Primacy, it has had to become 'anational', in that it is not supposed to really follow any of the facets of traditions or sects. However, it will absent-mindedly [APPROXIMATE TRANSLATION: hum] True Protesting tradition songs in North Belanese, which draws some funny looks from those raised differently.