this is a log of the recent townhall-style discussion on light and darkness held by thaddeus and zaoria atop great rock. this discussion was mainly to facilitate interest in the contraho sapientia clan. i think it went rather well. a big thank you to zaoria for the offer and an even bigger thank you to all those that attended!


edit: obviously, it was cleaned up a bit for ease of viewing. still a whole mess of text.


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Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Any stragglers coming?"

You suck thoughtfully on your teeth.


You say, "Think we have one more."

Zaoria nods her head emphatically.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Greetings, everyone."

Zaoria clears her throat in an attempt to gain your attention.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "I am Zaoria Medb'Rian, Priestess
of the Anointed. I will be representing the idealogical teachings of Light in
battle of wits with this fine gentleman next to me."

Zaoria grins mischievously at you.

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

You say, "Thank you for the introduction. I am Thaddeus, of Ashtan and the
Warlocks. I will be representing Darkness and its ideals."

You incline your head politely.

Zaoria nods her head at you.

You say, "I would like to ask that everyone planning on leaving at some point
during the debate, please do so now."

You suck thoughtfully on your teeth.

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "This debate will be of a "town
hall" format. Rather than prepared talking points, Thaddeus and I here will take
questions from the audience and answer them accordingly."

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

You ask Zaoria, "Perhaps a brief introduction of the opposing views?"

Zaoria nods her head emphatically.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Shall I?"

You say, "Please."

Zaoria's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

Zaoria clears her throat in an attempt to gain your attention.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "The Light is the realm of two
Divine; the physical aspect to Lady Sol, and the spiritual aspect to Lord
Pentharian. It's philosophies are focused on virtue and Good; harm no innocent,
defend Creation from it's enemies, be truthful and honourable in your dealings."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "To those in the Church and
Shallam, the Light is both illuminator and beacon, guiding all persons along the
path of Good."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Most importantly, perhaps, it
promotes sustainable growth within our world, as well as the moral code outline
in the Codeces and Precepts."

Zaoria nods her head at you.

You say, "Darkness is generally represented in the Pentad by Twilight. It has,
as its tenets, an unyielding sense of personal responsibility and
self-determination. Though Darkness is not represented by any House or City
directly, it is highly regarded as a founding "force" within Creation."

You nod your head emphatically.

You say, "Succinct, as we seem to have questions already."

You say, "Hopefully I will be able to explain in further detail as we go along."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Soludra, you have a question?"

Soludra nods his head emphatically.

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says, "Again, mainly for you.
Where does Lady Lorielan fit into your scheme of the Light?"

Zaoria says to Soludra with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Light is spiritual as
well as physical. Whereas others may wish to conceal information or research,
such as the Occultist House, we do not hide in the shadows as such; we see to
share our knowledge with the world, so that all may see only truth. Lady
Lorielan's realm is very much a term one could describe as any mind whom has
accepted Light and dispelled all falsehoods within themselves."

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says, "So She is the mental
aspect, where the other Two are spiritual and physical."

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker smiles and says, "Thank you.
That's what I hoped to hear."

Zaoria nods her head emphatically.

Kismet raises her hand in the air.

Zaoria nods her head emphatically.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Kismet, go ahead."

Kismet says in a soft, purring voice, "Ok so this one can go either way."

Kismet says in a soft, purring voice, "I know that light and dark are
opposing... but why do they have to dislike each other so much? Isnt it without
light you can't KNOW darkness? And same for light? You just spoke of shadows..
but without both... there can be no shadows. So why are the two sides so...
viscious towards each other?"

The corners of Soludra's mouth turn up as he grins mischievously.

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says to Kismet, "I like that
question!"

You ask Zaoria, "May I?"

Zaoria says to you with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Gentlemen first."

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

You say, "While I cannot speak as a representative of Light and its teachings, I
will answer this from the perspective of Darkness."

You say, "Darkness does not teach "love" or "hate" for anything. Darkness
actually advocates a much more unified idea of Creation. The simple duality that
you mention is something that is very explicitly explored by Darkness. One of
the most basic tenets of Darkness is "As below, so above. So above, as below.""

Sentinel Fox Awan says, "What's that last bit mean? Sorry to interrupt."

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

Maristaya raises her voice and proclaims, "Aye!".

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker whispers to Awan, "A duality
thing."

Awan nods her head slowly at Soludra, looking very wise.

You suck thoughtfully on your teeth.

The corners of Maristaya's mouth turn up as she grins mischievously.

You say, "The last part was as Soludra said, a duality "thingie"."

Zaoria nods her head emphatically.

The corners of Soludra's mouth turn up as he grins mischievously.

Maristaya gives a trillingly melodic laugh.

You say to Awan, "It merely is meant to illustrate the fact that things are all
bound to one another."

You incline your head politely to Zaoria.

Kismet nods her head at you.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "As Thaddeus mentioned, Light too
advocates a much more unified idea of Creation. But we seek to do so with truth,
not the shroud of deceit. Darkness is only found in the absence of Light. In the
darkest corridor, does not a candle dispel the Darkness? The Light iluminates
the illusions from our mental and physical envrions. Out in the open desert,
during the day, there is no darkness, no shade. You see only what is, you see
reality in it's fullest. Light and Dark are not relative; Darkness may only
exist where Light does not, but Light may be brought to all aspects of life;
mental, physical, spiritual."

Kismet says in a soft, purring voice, "How would you know truth if you did not
experience deceit though?"

Kismet tilts her head and listens intently to Zaoria.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Truth is made apparent by the
Light; by accepting it's teachings in one's mind, you begin to understand
philosophical and scholastic truth. With the body, the Light guides our mortal
eyes to see what surrounds us. In the Night, the shapes of trees, animals, even
other mortals are often blurred if not obscured entirely. In the light of day,
one may see their environment for what it truly is. One does not need to be
blinded to know that they can see, physically or otherwise."

Kismet says in a soft, purring voice, "But at the night.. there is dark."

Zaoria nods her head emphatically.

Kismet says in a soft, purring voice, "So it can't go completely away... you
just admitted we need the dark to see that it casts a shroud."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "We do not need it, it merely
provides an ever-returning example for the purpose of this discussion."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Do share, Droch Lucifuge. What
query shall ye pose for us?"

Lucifuge says to Zaoria in a quiet, yet confidant voice, "You mention truth ...
how would you define truth? It is not a word that can be used lightly."

Soludra blinks.

Lucifuge says in a quiet, yet confidant voice, "No pun intended."

Maristaya gives a trillingly melodic laugh.

You say, "I will field this."

You say, "Truth is dependant on a great deal of external cues to be defined. In
terms of Darkness, it is most often a personal matter. What you believe to be
true is not necessarily true. Proof of this is in the simple fact that facts
change. Look to the "unchanging" natures of the Divine Themselves for a good
example of this."

You say, "So, it is almost a fruitless endeavor to "define" truth."

Maristaya claps her hands together merrily.

Awan furrows her brow.

You say, "However, I believe that Zaoria will have a much different view."
(p) 4534h, 3542m, 21570e, 14984w ex-
Tahquil's eyes sparkle with amusement.
(p) 4534h, 3542m, 21570e, 14984w ex-
The corners of Zaoria's mouth turn up as she grins mischievously.
(p) 4534h, 3542m, 21570e, 14986w ex-smile zaoria

You flash Zaoria a joyous smile.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Indeed."

Lucifuge ponders the situation.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Truth can be simply defined as
that which Is. Our reality is the ultimate truth, the value by which we weigh
all information in the logical mind. In that same vein, intangible truths such
as philosophies and ideals would be defined as that which best presents reality
to one's mind."

Greevil nods in agreement.

You say, "I would like a chance to reply to that, if I may."

Greevil pulls himself up into a seated position.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "One particular truth that has
always resonated with me is the Eighth precept of the Anointed; Save that which
can be saved, destroy that which cannot. Be secure in Light will all be
restored."

Zaoria nods her head at you.

You say, "Thank you."

Lucifuge says in a quiet, yet confidant voice, "But why is that true? Surly that
is more an command than a Truth."

You ask Lucifuge, "Remember what I said about truth?"

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

You say, "You will find your answer there."

The corners of Maristaya's mouth turn up as she grins mischievously.

Zaoria says to Lucifuge with a cultured Shallamese accent, "It is true because
it is how reality works; even in the face of a mass of Chaos poised to destroy
the entire Jewel of the East, the powers of Light from Lady Sol destroyed the
taint. The enemies of Light are always eventually crushed, though I will admit
that the Mhaldorians certainly make us pay for it at home."

You say, "I believe that reality as evidence of truth is shifting, at best.
There is but one truth, and that is not necessarily -this- reality. The Divine
know of a great many more realities than we could ever hope to."

"Oops!" you exclaim with a bashful expression.

Zaoria's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

You exclaim, "I'm sorry!"

Zaoria says to you with a cultured Shallamese accent, "No need for apologies,
Dark one. Perhaps, we are ready for our next question?"

You nod your head emphatically.

You ask Soludra, "You still have a question?"

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker sticks out his tongue and
says, "The longer the debate goes, the further the topic goes from my question."

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says, "But yes."

The corners of Soludra's mouth turn up as he grins mischievously.

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says, "We were discussing
Light and Darkness as polar opposites before."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Or so the forces of Evil would
like you to believe."

Awan grins mischievously at Zaoria.

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says, "I don't think it's
quite like that. I think there's a range of shadow there, like how light through
a window is filtered and not quite as bright. And a shadow is still lit by its
surroundings."

Comprehension flashes across your face.

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says, "Debate itself is often
about turning one person's views towards your own."

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says, "Can you both elaborate
on that thread of thought?"

You say, "Most certainly."

Zaoria nods her head emphatically.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Quite."

You ask, "If I may?"

The corners of Zaoria's mouth turn up as she grins mischievously.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Go ahead."

You say, "You actually mention something that I had wanted to point out earlier.
The idea of stars shining against the darkness of the night is an oft cited
"weakness" of Darkness."

You say, "However, I believe that, as I have said before, it speaks more to the
shared nature of the two forces. Rather than seeing a sea of Darkness with a few
randomly spaced bits of light interspersed, I see but one whole. That is the
underlying idea behind Darkness."

You say, "Proponents of Light will often admit a bit of Darkness in all things."

Soludra nods slowly.

You suck thoughtfully on your teeth.

You ask, "Does that not suggest that Darkness and Light are merely two sides of
the same coin?"

You nod your head at yourself.

Soludra tilts his head and listens intently to Zaoria.

Zaoria's eyes sparkle with amusement.

You say to Zaoria, "All yours."

Zaoria nods her head emphatically.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Indeed, there is a great deal of
shadow and theoretical grey area when discussing the two. Logically, the
brighter the surroundings, the weaker the shadow. The same thing occurs when
light is filtered through a piece of painted glass or the canopies of high-up
trees; the more Light we surround ourselves with, the fewer shadows and vague
area we encounter. In this, the Light continues to ensure that we never fall
prey to manipulation or deceit. Admittedly, while the Light is perfect, mortals
are not, so I do not normally think it a failure servant of Light to have been
fooled in the past. Now, my opponent speaks of Light and Darkness being opposite
sides of the same coin. As nice of an ideal as this is, it is simply not true.
The Light is not threatened by Darkness; the mortal mind is. Where Light
creates, Darkness does not destroy. Where Light illuminates, Darkness
manipulates and conceals truth."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Darkness and Light, even for
their difference, are still ideaologies of Creation. I would say that the two
are perversions of eachother, depending on whose standpoint one is in."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "But I would definitely say that
Chaos is the opposite of Light in our world, not Darkness."

Soludra nods his head emphatically.

Awan ponders the situation.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "We have time for one more
question from the audience. Awan, I believe you had a query?"

Sentinel Fox Awan says, "Thank you. I think this is somewhat on the same topic."


Zaoria tilts her head curiously.

Sentinel Fox Awan says, "When you, Thaddeus, speak of Darkness, and how it
coexists with light, that sounds convincing, because it is good to have the day
and the night to also sleep in. But when you, Zaoria, speak of the Light as
purely good and the darkness as a lack, that too is convincing. May it not be
that different things are true of light and darkness literally than of Light and
Darkness as spiritual principles?"

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

You ask Zaoria, "Ladies first?"

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "I would say that is quite
accurate, young Sentinel. Each aspect of Light is patroned by a different
divine, is it not? The physical manifestation of the aforementioned ideals
serves mostly as a metaphor for the two, but I would say that there is indeed a
difference between one's shadow on the highway and an ideology based arouce
deception and secrecy, just as a candle's embers differ from the cleansing fires
of a religion based upon growth and Creation's continuation."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Around, rather."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Ultimately, they are words to be
duelled with in these sort of situations. Words to be spoken. Ideals to be lived
by."

Zaoria nods her head at you.

You ask, "I believe that there is more to be said about the differences between
the spiritual principles than there is about the physical manifestations of
each. Though Darkness is often characterized by blind ambition and destruction,
as I have stated previously, it is actually more about self-determination and
about the realization of the inter-connectedness of all things. Further,
precepts of the Light advocate deception and subterfuge to advance the ideals of
the Light. If Darkness can be Light, why not vice versa?"

You suck thoughtfully on your teeth.

You ask Greevil, "Did you have something?"

Broodling Greevil says, "Just a comment but is light not stronger than darkness?
Darkness does not cover up the light, but light will always shine through the
darkness."

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

You say, "I wish that I had a candle."

You say, "I would show you something interesting."

Zaoria says to you with a cultured Shallamese accent, "May I, dear?"

You say to Greevil, "But to quickly answer that...it is certainly a matter of
opinion."


Comprehension flashes across your face.

You say to Zaoria, "Of course, please do."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Would one of the necromancers
here please call upon the Darkness?"


Mado flings an arm into the air, and the light around you is suddenly swamped in
pitch darkness.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Look around you, young Hashani.
You can see little but blurred shapes around us."

Light rays spring forth from the guardian, banishing the shadows from your
surroundings.
The unholy darkness is burned away beneath the overpowering light that shines
from the heart of the guardian angel.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "You are correct in noting that
the Light dispels Darkness, both in their physical manifestations and their
ideological premises."

You smile with a wink and say, "And yet, the two have not destroyed one another
to date."

You smile and say to Tahquil, "You are the absolute last question. This old man
is growing tired."

Kalysta says in a compelling, melodious voice, "As soon as one retreats, the
other comes through again!"

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "The Light is a little
preoccupied with saving Creation at the moment, I would daresay."

The corners of Zaoria's mouth turn up as she grins mischievously.

Zaoria tilts her head curiously.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Soludra, with the final
question!"

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

Zaoria tilts her head curiously at Soludra.

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says to Zaoria, "Isn't it
sometimes good to hide things? Nobody would say that an utter lack of secrecy is
good all the time."

Kismet laughs melodically at Soludra.

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says, "If I had an orb of
concealment I'd use it as but one example."

You nod your head at Soludra.

Zaoria says to Soludra with a cultured Shallamese accent, "The Light, the
faithful, and Creation have absolutely nothing to fear from the world knowing
our truths. While some matters of security for our mortal organizations are on a
need-to-know basis, we simply have nothing to hide. That, however, is my
personal answer, as each servant of Light must choose whether or not they wish
to follow the Dawnstriders in toeing the line between the two."

Vida Sophiste Soludra Ar'thela, the Solar Mapmaker says, "Alright. It's not
entirely satisfying, but I'm not sure what else I could ask."

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "The answer I give is the answer
of an Elysian, not of the Light as a whole, rathewr."

You say, "I will answer very briefly."

Kalysta says in a compelling, melodious voice, "Perhaps you should ask, when
does Light find it acceptable to conceal truths?"

Reaching towards one corner of her mouth, Kalysta draws her hand slowly across
it, pursing her lips.

Lady Ariye Trenia Zuiho_sho, Samadhi Ridir says, "I don't think not sharing all
information is the same as concealing the truth."

You nod your head at Trenia.

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Lady Trenia is correct."

Lady Ariye Trenia Zuiho_sho, Samadhi Ridir says, "We don't go around telling
everyone everything that is happening in our personal life."

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

Kalysta's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Soludra nods his head slowly, looking very wise.

Tahquil says to Trenia in a hoarse voice, "If you were asked, would you though?"

Lady Ariye Trenia Zuiho_sho, Samadhi Ridir says to Tahquil, "Yes, I would."

Zaoria says to Kalysta with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Philosophically
speaking? The Light hides no truths. Mortals hide organizational and matters of
security, but our knowledge is open to all who would seek it."

You nod your head at Zaoria.

You say, "Though I would say the same for Darkness."

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

Zaoria's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

You say, "Well, I believe that concludes it."

You ask Zaoria, "Anything to add?"

Zaoria says with a cultured Shallamese accent, "Nay."

Sentinel Fox Awan says, "Thank you both for this. It was pleasant to participate
in such a polite and thoughtful discussion."

Zaoria says to you with a cultured Shallamese accent, "I am most honored to have
met ye in combat of word and wit, Darkwalker. May the Light bless your steps in
the name of scholasticism."

You say to Zaoria, "And you."
--------------------------------------------------------

Imagine if you kids put this much effort into your school work.

I'm just kidding... stop swearing.

I question whether "townhall" meetings, being such an obvious import from American politics, is really an appropriate IC term.

I knew it was going to be bad from there on.

No one did a horrible job of defending their side, but I kinda got lost in the maze of metaphors and blatantly OOC philosphical questions.

Oh my god, the "why do you hate each other so much" questions were awful.

You two sound like a newly married couple that don't yet realize they have absolutely nothing in common. Honestly, I found that disappointing. Zaoria was certainly preachy enough, but she didn't have the "You are -ing wrong, and I take comfort in exactly how wrong you -ing are" thing going that an Anointed should. The whole thing seemed to just be a "Yaaaaaaaaay we're using WORDS and not SWORDS" bubbly argument with no real substance.

Then again, I argue with Silas in Cyrene. Maybe I'm spoiled?

I'd like to see more "uneasy pseudo-alliances for the purpose of defending against Oblivion." Makes for good stories (look at the Necessary Evil p&p RPG for some info on the kind of fun drama that can result).

Meh on this debate. Darkwalkers will always win this kind of thing, just based on how much easier their ideology (or just about any ideology) is to spin than Good, especially at a time when Good's getting tangibly thrashed in the wider world.

Also, Thaddeus, I remember thinking you were a pretty cool dood when we were Warlocks together. Good to see you! Hope you're havin' fun!

thank you. i'm trying to have as much fun as i possibly can. and i'm trying to help other people do it to(o). not everyone likes to kill and get killed all the time!


edit: guess.

I feel like anything involving "Darkness" IC always ends up this way.

When you're an organization whose entire RP is based around not telling people who you really are, things like this do tend to have a pretty lolworthy quality.

considering how drunk i was at the time we did this, i am rather pleased that it wasn't far worse.



if you or any other chaos-oriented person cares to talk to her IG, Zaoria would be more than willing to tell them that. She feels a great deal more... sympathy for the Darkwalkers.

Yeah, there's not enough of that going around at all.

There's actually not, unless you somehow are aware of some secret project that was hidden from me as an Anointed/Elysian/Churchie.

I am aware of said plot

Eris/Zaoria, we have a -lot- of enemies. The problem is either a) people can't tell that we're their enemy (my personal favorite) or 2) people are incompetent.

You make an old Darkie roll over in his sortof grave.

I'm glad you said it first.

(but this is kind of funny too)

Worth returning to the forums to make a mean comment, doubly so to receive love from Tyrea. This day is great!

i hate this game.

Your t-shirt's in the mail.

If this is in response to what I said, I apologize. What I was really trying to say with my second point is there are more than enough IC enemies for Babelonians to just be getting bitch-slapped 24-7.

Oh, not at all. You're still very much <3'd.

There are enough groups that have reasons to fight the Babellites, yes. Unfortunately, not many of them want to tango with Ashtan.

I don't even associate with much of Ashtan. Anyone who wants to fight us will pretty much only fight -us-, not Ashtan. The exception to this is when they come with like 30 people vs our 5 and Ashtan starts feeling sorry for us, but that's their fault then. You never -have- to get Ashtan involved.

People don't seem to understand that.

I dunno. Every attempt I've ever seen by the Church to mess with the Babellites/Occies usually winds up in the lolshura showing up pretty quickly

edit: Prove me wrong, Terra. I miss interacting with you IG, the closest I get to Babellite/Churchie RP now is talking with lolshura who like to pretend they know what they're talking about, right before I get axk'd.

That's highly unlikely, unless you were raiding Ashtan, which would, of course, result in that.

And there definitely aren't any Ashurans who attempt to preach our ideology. I don't know who you're talking to, but you're definitely doing it wrong.

learn me 2 conflikt?

good. maybe he'll wake up and do something instead of complaining about it. i should probably start holding my breath though, right?

Nah, I'm around. Though now that you mention it, go ahead and hold your breath; I'll send you a tell when you should stop. I'm sure plenty of us would appreciate the silence.

The Darkies: Resisting any potential move away from insular, one-sided RP forever.

I am!

Oh wait nm

i said "do something," not "sit on my tuffet and cast my discerning eye on all that lays before me."

also, props for your creative dis.




this(-s)


edit: guess, again.

I'm not a Darkie, but I find it annoying that you're responding to an older Darkie saying that "You're doing it wrong" with "Nyah nyah, play more and do something about it" instead of being concerned that you're distorting the religion you're following.

see, here's the thing....i'm not claiming to be a darkwalker, nor have i ever....except for when i was a member of the order. "doing it wrong" is sort of an empty statement because, well, how exactly would said older darkie know what it is that i'm doing? i'm not trying to convert people to darkness or anything like that or acting as an emissary of the "religion," and, if either of the people that voiced concerns about the nature of my "darkieness" KNEW what the whole thing was about...their arguments would be moot.

further, there is a HUGE distinction between a philosophy and a religion based around the precepts of that philosophy. depending on your personal interpretation of those precepts, you may vary widely from what the established religion or order believes.

finally, "nyah nyah play more and do something about it" is a little bit of a distortion of the case. someone is complaining OOCly about something that is entirely IC...not to mention that it would be far more interesting from an RP sense to "do something about it" within the game than pass judgment out here. besides for all that, "insight without action is bull spit."

Religions evolve over time, it's the whole point of your character living in a dynamic world.

Doctrinal dispute within the religion can be a source of much entertainment.

The Reformation, for a real-life analog, is the source of countless books and treatises, interdisciplinary studies and articles.