(no subject)

[angelicspook]

Faith often seems a tricky thing.

Comments

[rhythmandblues]

I've always thought it was something you had or you didn't.

[angelicspook]

It is, I suppose, though it can be gained or lost like many other things.

[ghostbreaking]

Faith means different things to different people.

[angelicspook]

There are as many opinions as there are people, I expect, but so many make it more difficult than it has to be.

[lightningstrick]

Faith in what, exactly?

[rhythmandblues]

Sure. But you either have it or you don't, at least at a particular moment in time.

[angelicspook]

Faith in a higher power.

[angelicspook]

True, but the tricky part is when you worry too much about which category you fit into and whether you should be in the other.

[lightningstrick]

In my family, faith was more a tool we used to support ourselves than an actual practice in the manner you mean, I suppose.

[angelicspook]

What do you mean?

[lightningstrick]

Praying was something to do that might-or-might-not help when something was going wrong. My dad broke his leg, we prayed. My brother was arrested, we prayed. Going to church was more...a comforting ritual than a chance to talk to some invisible guy who probably didn't care much about me, personally. But it helped, because it was familiar and ritual and quiet.

[rhythmandblues]

Is that what you're doing, then? Are you a believer who thinks he should be a non-believer or a non-believer who feels guilty about it?

[She's neither, but she's got plenty of other things to feel guilty about. Unreturned phone calls are a little higher on her personal scale than the last time she went to church.]

[angelicspook]

Oh, I know precisely where I stand. I was simply commenting on something I've noticed, watching people.

[angelicspook]

I understand...is there something else you put your faith in now, then?

[lightningstrick]

The only thing I can keep faith in. The only thing I can rely on: me.

happens to the best of us :)

[angelicspook]

I hear that's a good way to avoid being disappointed in others.

[lightningstrick]

But you don't look like you agree with it.

[angelicspook]

[He shrugs slightly.]

I've always found I'm strengthened by my faith.

[lightningstrick]

If it works for you, good. I never understood the point of fussing over who's faith is must right or most true. Yours gives you strength, and that's awesome..

[angelicspook]

[Now he smiles.]

Who's fussing?

[lightningstrick]

Anyone who goes to fight a war over religion. That's fussing, man.

[angelicspook]

That is a certain amount of fussing. Not to mention wasteful.

[lightningstrick]

And pointless. And just...stupid.

There are things worth lifting a sword for. 'I'm right, you're wrong' isn't one of them, in my book.

[angelicspook]

What would you say is, then?

[And he's not just humoring her, he appears genuinely interested in what she has to say.]

[lightningstrick]

To protect people and their right to live unhindered.

[She sounds very firm in this belief. And if the angel's paying attention, he might note that the cane she uses to help with her bad leg is a swordcane.]

[angelicspook]

[His smile turns warmer.]

That is a sentiment I can get behind.

[lightningstrick]

Oh, good.

[She laughs and offers him a hand.]

Usually I get a guy's name before talking philosophy. Buffy Reyes.

[rhythmandblues]

Ah. And why does it matter to you, anyway?

[angelicspook]

Why shouldn't it?

[angelicspook]

[He nods and shakes her hand politely.]

Pleasure to meet you, Buffy. Most people call me Az.

[rhythmandblues]

[Because, frankly, faith or the lack thereof wasn't any of his business, but Leigh just gave him a skeptical look.]

I asked first.

[angelicspook]

That was my answer. There's no reason it shouldn't.

[rhythmandblues]

Kind of a cop-out, don't you think? If faith is supposed to be a personal experience, the way I've heard it is, shouldn't it only concern the person who has it?

[angelicspook]

Cannot other people be interested in learning about one's faith? Many things are personal experiences that people still share.