stefanged | Drift Fleet

Much better, thanks! It must've been something I ate. [Or wanted to eat, in this case...]

Yeah, I think I know exactly what you're talking about. I hadn't thought about it before, but... it would be fantastic. Back home, we called those "interfaith spaces," to ensure that anyone who sought prayers or meditation could enter. There'd be enough tea for a small army, and floor cushions for prayer... Candles too, if we could swing those. The idea is to create something warm and inviting, even when ~~I'm~~ we're not around.

You sure you want me to help, though? Or at least take responsibility for it? I'm not actually Christian. I worked for the church, but I did interfaith ministry - which was more helping non-Christian students find their bearing on campus. While my boss never cared that I was Muslim, someone on the Fleet might.

[He's still incredibly flattered. Alesci had dreamt of this his whole life, to the point of participating in every religious leadership position available to him ~~and then some~~.] Plus, I'm not actually ordained. I've got some status in Islam, since I somehow memorized the whole Qur'an, but it's nothing official.

[he listens to the idea. And it sounds...really nice? A interfaith space- that'd really cover all the different religions here. Even if he didn't agree or understand with several of them, he knew that it was important to them]

[At the mention of Stefan being a Muslim though, it is surprising and that gets a pause. Though, not for the reason Stefan probably thinks.]

...Stefan, I've spent the past eight years of my life dealing with people who worship anything from trees to light sources to the Greek Pantheon. If I can live alongside those faiths, I think I can accept a Muslim running an interfaith space, along with anyone else here.

Besides, I haven't memorised the Holy Bible- so you're already more qualified than I am.

Light sources??? Some people worshiped Greek Gods back home, but light's a new one. [You know, he's not going to ask why people would worship a source of light. His life is a lot simpler without that knowledge.] I haven't heard much about other religions here, honestly. I shouldn't have defaulted to those primarily on Earth.

If that makes me more qualified, then... I'll head to the Isakaulit later and see what space would work best for us. Maybe make a broadcast and see who else would like to help out or donate? [He's already sketching out rough ideas in his diary!]

Thank you. Seriously. The more I think about it, the more I believe we really do need this.

Yes, from what I understand. I don't...understand that belief myself. But it's very flashy! [Ha...ha...] And it's alright, Earth religions is what you're used to! You get used to the many different faiths after awhile. Many of them have good messages behind them.

[Not so much the ones that love ritual sacrifice, but hey what can you do]

That would perfect! [And that makes him smile] I should be thanking you. All I did was think of an idea.

I figured. No matter what people believe, there's some universal or multiversal constants involved. The Golden Rule, usually, but there's usually a few others.

It's nothing, really. I did this kind of work for two years, so I don't mind picking it back up again. With a place like this, I don't need to supervise it all the time either. Just restock the tea and check that no one's vandalized it that week. [With the masjid, this was a bi-weekly occurrence - at least, until the prejudice against reincarnations outweighed the anti-Islam sentiment. Stefan's not sure which was worse.]

Edited (it ate my last sentence....) 2015-08-22 04:43 (UTC)

Mm! That's right.

Still, I'm very grateful you're willing to do this. I feel it could do a lot of good if people have a place like that to practise.

I mean, I tried to light a candle in my room for sacraments, and I nearly set my bedding on fire...

[... Why is he not surprised.]

Hopefully that won't happen in the new space. [Just in case, he's gonna think about investing in a fire extinguisher...] That does remind me: do you know how to bless communion bread? I can't do it myself since I'm not Christian, but I figure we should have some for people who want to keep that going.

I don't think we'll have other Muslims, or I'd offer to lead prayers. Still might, if there's interest.

[A fire extinguisher would be an excellent idea really.]

Ah....not without a Bible, I'm afraid. I mean, if I had that I could do it. I mean, technically I'm not a typical priest, but since we don't have one...I think I've be close enough to count?

[You know, with being one of God's chosen ones and all]

Mm! You never know!

Edited 2015-08-22 05:35 (UTC)

I think so. In lieu of a priest on board, you sound like the most qualified guy we've got. I know how to bake the bread, since I had to for work.... but blessing it's another story.

[He can make the yummy kind too, the one that tastes like graham crackers.]

True. If God wills, there may be more some day.

Yeah...if you find a Bible, I'll do what I can to help out.

[ Since seriously, kind of dead in the water without that puppy. And he pauses at that last bit. ]

I'm not sure God's the one who decides who gets brought out here. But...I'm still He's still looking after us, in His own way.

Got it.

I'd HOPE He wouldn't have a hand in this. It's more - "if God wills" is an Arabic figure of speech. [He hadn't expected it to be translated, so the more he knows..] The phrase has a heavier weight than in English - you indicate that you want it to happen only if it's important to all of mankind. In this case, when Atroma brings more people, because it's a when, that maybe I wouldn't be the only Muslim on board.

Then again, I don't think I'd wish this place on anybody.

Oh, I see. That makes sense, it's like "God willing" then?

[Just...translated slightly differently]

Yeah, that would be more accurate.

I didn't think "God willing" would get translated, but I guess not everyone here speaks English. [Or is fluent in multiple languages.]

Not really. Really it's a good day if you find someone who can find England on a map.

One of the Vanquish's guys is from an island on the Channel, I think.

No one knows exactly where Jordan is, but I expected that. Most Americans kinda fail at world geography.

[ ! ]

Oh! You're from Jordan?

Kind of. My grandparents live there, so I moved with my family to the capitol after the Invasion.

But I was born and raised in the US. Even though I'm not allowed to go back, I still consider it home.

I see.

My last mission before I left Earth was in Jordan. I didn't get much time to exploration, but it's a beautiful country. I could see why you're so attached.

No kidding?? I'm glad you were able to go. It's changed a lot in the past couple of years, but it's become home for me too.

Sounds like you've been all over the place. Here, England, Jordan... I've traveled too. Just not to that extent yet.

Yeah, really!

Ha I'm from England, but yes- I've traveled most my life. It's on a bigger scale and the space part is different, but traveling place to place like this isn't all that unusual to me.

I was wondering! You know what they say about assuming, though...

That's pretty awesome! Outside of visiting my family, I haven't traveled as much as I'd like to. [Well, technically - his past life had moved every few years, and had settled in nearly every major city in the US.] Can't complain about that here, at least.

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