Adding a couple of more bits of theology that have been developed. I hope its ok that I am making up scriptural texts.
On the inadequacy of language
Last night I had a fascinating discussion with a Caldari pilot who wished to understand the purpose of this venture. After working through the inevitable questions about profit and whether or not I was altruistic in my aims, we came to the topic of God and my belief therein.
Of course, here, the topic broke down. I did not have the words to properly explain to this pilot why I had faith, and why to my mind it was entirely logical to have faith. Of course she would believe me to be ruled by emotion and illogical thinking! I am sure Mr. Ixiris would say the same thing.
Those in the cluster who do not have faith have trouble understanding us and what exactly it means when an Amarrian pilot says that we 'believe in God'; Intellectually, they understand that we believe in some sort of supreme being, many of them may have even read portions of the scripture and so, intellectually, they may have an idea of what we believe God to be like.
This is still not understanding, and this is our challenge as proponents and spreaders of the faith.
There is something else to the belief in God, something that goes beyond lowly intellectual understanding. Trying to explain your faith using the inadequate terms afforded to us by language and translators is trying to explain your faith through grunts, whistles and hand gestures when you need poetry to properly convey the concept.
In the past, this issue was solved with slavery. Slavery as a method to reclaiming is no longer possible, and I shall go into why this is (for my more conservative Amarrian brothers and sisters) and what the benefits it was meant to convey other than cheap labour (for my non-Amarrian readers) at another time.
It is our duty, in the Majesty Theological Institute, to find a new way of expressing the necessary poetry.
Students who wish to study further on this should look closely to the Book of Speaker Lamia, which is one of several scriptural texts with a large portion of its teachings presented in mathematical formula.
Language, as a barrier, must be overcome when dealing with people who do not yet share your faith. Patience is the primary virtue that should be adopted here.
On Hardship
Those who have read and understood Scripture will know of the importance the Amarr place on Hardship. Those who have read scripture but not understood it will only know of the extant place for suffering.
Suffering makes us stronger. As a woman who taught me much was fond of saying, 'Endure; in enduring, grow strong'. The True Amarr suffered when we wandered the deserts of Athra for millenia. Suffering serves as the scourge, violently ripping away weakness and sin.
However, it is not all there is. If all there was was suffering, and if only suffering were part of God's plan for us, humanity would have never developed as a species to the point where we are the only life-form that has become capable of surviving the death of our star and planet, whatever those may be. We would not be farming, let alone plying our trade amongst the stars.
No, it is more fair to say that God wants us to suffer hardship, not suffering. Hardship implies a challenge, a test. Something we can overcome. Hardship is exercise. Suffering is just the application of the principle of 'That which does not kill us only makes us stronger'.
This is why MAJTH, the other day, shipped some Wheat into the Republic through Matari channels, when we learned that certain areas of the republic are suffering through a famine. We have provided those areas with some temporary relief of their suffering, so that they can work towards solving the ultimate causes of their hunter themselves.
It is my belief that men with empty bellies will not spend time contemplating God, unless that hunger is the result of a direct and concious choice.
Related, MAJTH is also sponsering the 'Majesty Theological Institute endowment for theoretical and practical sciences'. 5 million ISK has been converted to baseliner currency and set aside as a scholarship for Amarrian doctoral students. Each year, for five years, fifty promising up-and-coming scientists will be awarded the equivalent of 20,000 ISK to fund their work in theoretical and practical science development in the fields of physics, chemistry, and biology.
If these numbers sound low to you, then you should begin to understand the massive wealth held by capsuleers. 5 million ISK, an hours work for even a modest capsuleer, can fund scientific advancement at an incredible rate.
And there are those who would have you believe that all you can do is blow things up
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Still no interest in the recruitment front. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm a bit afraid to post in the recruitment forum on the main forums because I have this nightmare scenario of getting wardecced by everyone, plus I doubt I would find many RPers there.
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Topic: [Recruiting] The Majesty Theological Institute (Read 2583 times)