Heart and soul

[jianai]

[1]
[In order to get better as a pilot and not wreck a mobile suit each time they're piloting, Ren is doing some good old fashioned physical exercise.]

And one, and two...

[Running laps around Alhambra Base - with a lack of haste that'd cause any drill sergeant worth their salt to pop a vein or a dozen. But what's this - 15, 20, 30 laps around the base done, and Ren isn't even sweaty yet.

Comment? Or maybe join in, if you dare?]

[2]
[Some time after the exercise, but directed at whomever seems willing to listen.]

Do you believe in the afterlife?

Comments

2

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Not really...I go to church every Christmas, but I'm not really religious. Why do you ask?

[jianai]

I hoped to start a theological discussion. I mean, worshipping a divine entity is not a requirement to believe that something happens to you after you die.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Isn't it one of the things people usually get told not to discuss with strangers?

But I guess the answer is that I don't really know if I do and haven't thought much about it.

[jianai]

We're not really strangers anymore, are we?

Anyway, I personally believe that there is an afterlife. For some at least.

2

[brought_it_back]

No.

...Why do you ask?

[jianai]

It's an interesting topic for a talk, isn't it?

Well then, what do you believe happens once a person dies? Do they just... stop existing?

[brought_it_back]

...That would follow logically, yes.

2

[abugslife]

My people pretended to be gods, thousands of years ago. It is hard to believe in anything spiritual after that.

[jianai]

Oh, but it doesn't mean the real thing isn't somewhere, out there.

Still, gods and the afterlive are not dependant on each other. You might have one without the other.

[abugslife]

What are your thoughts on reincarnation?

[empress_without_a_throne]

On your left.

[Mizuki -doing some exercise herself- passes by Ren and spares them a brief smile before continuing on her run. She's been at it for a shorter period of time, but also been going at a much faster pace. Though not long afterwards she stands and jogs in place, waiting for Ren to catch up.]

... Changed my mind. Any interest in having a partner?

[jianai]

Ah, of course! It's always more fun in a group, isn't it.

[Ren does not seemingly speed nor slow down any.]

[empress_without_a_throne]

[No problem there, Ren. Once you're closing she starts jogging again, matching the kin's pace.]

Yeah. No reason limit yourself to just a few words with someone else as you pass them, or vice-versa.

2)

[tillallareone]

Some of my troops believe that there is nothing that awaits us after the end, that there is nothing to judge us and when our story ends... it simply does.

[Optimus was sitting down close by, having gone on an 'exercise' routine of his own - playing basketball with some base personnel and other Autobots. He glanced at his troops, ones who you would never imagined were embroiled in a nightmarish war for survival that would have drove any human in their situation to despair and suicide.]

I believe otherwise... that there is a purpose to all things and that at the end of a long journey... we can finally return home, to where all are one.

[jianai]

I see.

[Ren looks up to meet gazes with Optimus, hands behind their back.]

That belief is close to mine. I know everyone has free will and may act as they wish - but in the end, our actions serve a purpose.

[tillallareone]

Indeed, though some would not know of it even after they have passed. A sad fact of life... or a mercy in some cases. I am curious as to why you had brought this topic up. It is something I was led to believe was not often talked about.

2

[keep_your_dignity]

[Kagura is working as Ren has come to pester her, and so the response is curt and the AI doesn't even look up at her]

AS IN SOMEPLACE WHERE THE SOUL IS CONSCIOUS AFTER DEATH AND YOU LIVE AGAIN?

HELL NO. THE SOUL IS JUST ANOTHER PART OF PEOPLE. A SOUL KEPT AROUND WITHOUT A BODY ISN'T ANY MORE YOU THAN YOUR LIVER KEPT IN A FREEZER WITHOUT YOUR BODY WOULD BE. YOU CAN'T BE CONSCIOUS WITHOUT A BRAIN.

[jianai]

I'm glad we could finally meet, Major Kagura. Don't worry, I won't take a lot of your time.

[Ren is hovering (not literally) near the door.]

You seem to have a really strong opinion about this.

[keep_your_dignity]

AND THAT TELLS ME YOU CAN'T READ PEOPLE FOR SHIT, UBUNTU. I DON'T. AFTER ALL, WHY SHOULD I CARE? FAR AS I HAVE SEEN, IT'S PRETTY MUCH HOW THINGS WORK. MIGHT AS WELL HAVE A STRONG OPINION ABOUT GRAVITY.

2

[ugyuuya]

Quite the unusual question to just come right out with isn't it? But I guess it's like you to just come out and say it, Stella did say she had an interesting discussion with you.

To answer your question I do believe that there is an afterlife and it's more akin to the Christian view. What I don't believe is that it is as exclusive as some parts of the faith build it out to be.

I believe that it is a person's nature and life that lead to their end reward despite their teachings or beliefs. A honest, kind, generous person who's never given the opportunity to learn the christian faith is going to hell because of that while a bigoted, selfish, judgemental person who is raised in the church is going to get the eternal rewards of heaven.

It's kind of like the Dante vs. Milton approach to hell and the devil but that's getting off subject.

What I want to know in return is why did you ask?

[jianai]

When the physical world turns to sadness, you seek refuge in the spiritual. Or maybe it's just me?

Also, I thought it would make an interesting conversation topic.

I agree with your judgement. The good are rewarded, and the wicked punished. Whether you are a member of one faith or another does nothing on itself. It's neither goor or evil, so it shouldn't matter.

[ugyuuya]

Wouldn't have thought you'd be one to get bogged down in sadness like the rest of us Ren. So I guess it's fair game to turn the question around. I would assume you do but what's your take on it? I know with the entities we've met it really throws a wrench in things as far as "People's souls go to heaven" with sentient robots that can split their souls to make more of themselves. And that's just the tip of the iceberg really.

2

[delouser]

Do you believe in personal space?

[jianai]

I am willing to respect it. Have I just crossed some boundaries?

[delouser]

No, it's just this is pretty random and out of nowhere.