24 Sulk sulk sulk

[raisedinabox]

Did anyone else get much chance to talk to the locals in that port? I couldn't help but find it ironic that their afterlife consisted of a seemingly endless journey towards an ephemeral end point.

[Jim sounds more or less calm, but there's a slight sharpness to his tone, as if something about this port left him feeling... just kind of generally unhappy.]

When I died, I was expecting my entire existence to come to an end. I find it... troubling that apparently spending your time embarking on futile tasks and endless journeys is a running theme when it comes to what happens after death, instead. Still, I suppose this place makes a lot more sense as a surreal punishment, than as a genuine attempt at creating some kind of reformation process.

[He sighs a slight sigh, before adding:]

And I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that a chewed up dog toy doesn't actually have any known use when it comes to spaceship repair?

Comments

Re: Private

[iam-aghost.livejournal.com]

I was a communist and a doctor. Religion... didn't suit either, to be honest.

But I always respected others' religion, and now I'm here, and living on after my own death, I do have to wonder.

Private

[raisedinabox]

I only really know about Judaism and Christianity, but I'm pretty sure neither of them had a mechanic quite like this one in the afterlife.

I don't know, it's probably not that important.

Re: Private

[iam-aghost.livejournal.com]

No, but religion is less about the technical facts, and more about belief. It's more important to believe in God, life after death, Jesus Christ than... whether Heaven has little angels with wings and harps.

Not always the impression I got of actual religious people, but how it struck me in the end.

Private

[raisedinabox]

It probably differs depending on who you ask. When I wanted people to think I was religious, I just wore a pin on my lapel of a dove, and changed literally nothing else about my behavior.

Re: Private

[iam-aghost.livejournal.com]

Strikes me as about accurate.

I think... people's faith, and true faith, is clearer when they're in my care than at any other time. Anyone can be a steadfast atheist, or a superficial believer in their day to day lives. When they're dying or suffering, they suddenly find faith they never had - or realise they never truly believed.

Private

[raisedinabox]

It makes sense. Deathbed devotion is probably the last chance for someone who's weak in faith to repent their sins, commit their souls to god, and get into heaven.

Re: Private

[iam-aghost.livejournal.com]

It shows a lack of commitment, though.

Having said that, I am the one actually in purgatory, so I am not sure I have room to talk.

Private

[raisedinabox]

If a lack of commitment is your biggest sin, then you probably don't need a deathbed conversion anyway.

Is that what you think this place is then? Purgatory?

Re: Private

[iam-aghost.livejournal.com]

I would rather die an honest atheist than a last minute believer.

No. At... where I'm from. I'm stuck. It's the closest thing to purgatory I can imagine.

Re: Private

[raisedinabox]

Easy decision for an Atheist. It doesn't make any difference to you which you do.

You're stuck.

[Pause]

Is that what your deal is for then?

Re: Private

[iam-aghost.livejournal.com]

Except fear of death is a powerful thing.

No. My deal is to keep the boys safe. That's why I'm stuck in the first place. I never finished protecting them... I told you that whole story.

Private

[raisedinabox]

But if you really don't believe that anything comes after it, then surely a last minute conversion can't alleviate that fear.

Ah, yes. I remember. I guess if saving them releases you as well, then that's the sensible choice to make.

Re: Private

[iam-aghost.livejournal.com]

Probably not, but it might be a last minute hope, a last minute... covering your bases, so to speak.

I don't know whether it will. But I am an old man, they are young boys, and I have a duty to complete to them.