001: first prayer, voice-video

[angelfire]

"If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." Poor baby.

The prophets wrote that Jesus, having resurrected, first presented himself to Mary Magdalene, who did not recognize him. Well, that's a classical telling. 'The women' is a more accurate translation. So I did that. They had cookies. [ A thoughtful clucking sound is attached to the disassociated voice. ] Then he came down upon his disciples, and broke bread with them. Would you be surprised to know just how many Satanists there are in Florida? They were very accommodating.

[ The camera is turned upwards. Here, at last, is an (unfortunately) familiar face for those who have been here for a while. Lucifer doesn't look like much otherwise, just another steely eyed, rough featured imPort making his introductions. There are wounds healing on his - admittedly pale - face that look like they might have been some kind of deep tissue radiation burn. Still, he doesn't seem to be in any pain--he looks kind of cheerful. ]

I really don't know what I did to deserve a military escort, but I'm more than happy to know that I've engendered such respect in the human population here. Well--respect; fear; one is so very much like the other.

Now then, why don't we start with some introductions. [ He tapped his lip with one finger, considering where to start. ] I have a number of names, most largely unnecessary, but Lucifer will do. For the uneducated amongst you, that means I'm an archangel. For the heathens--well, sucks to be you; you have fun with that. [ The amusement is clear in the crinkles about his eyes. ] Furthermore, I'm delighted to announce that very soon I'll be usurping the airtime of a televangelist near you. Television exposure, a sponsorship from DRV Games, the adoration of my fans-- [ He drawls, it's difficult to tell whether or not he's being sarcastic: ] It's like a dream come true.

Oh, and Dean? Hello darling. Let's have a little chat, shall we? Happy belated Easter, chickens.

Comments

[rathercommon]

Of course it's not. It's an accusation I'm leveling against society. Time after time, the survival instinct - which is a basic instinct, and not all that harmful in and of itself - becomes valorized and turned into something to be prized. That in time morphs into greed, which turns into envy, competition, and hatred of one's neighbor. This hasn't got anything to do with evil or anything of the sort; it's purely the product of the evolution of society. But it's also one that creates unparalleled problems for people, for humanity - because a society that PRIZES acquisition and triumph is a society that teaches its children to hate others, to try to put them down. It's a challenge, a real challenge, to try to redirect ourselves towards something better and kinder.

[angelfire]

Yes, blame society. It's not like God made you that way.

[rathercommon]

Well...To be honest, I don't believe in God, so I can't really say that consideration of him factors into my thinking. I suppose if he did make us like this, though, that'd be just something we've got to fight to conquer. But something we are fighting to conquer.

[angelfire]

That's the difference. You choose to believe in God or not, and you say that it doesn't alter your philosophy, but it does. For me, there is no question as to whether or not God is real. He is, and He made you this way; with your squabbling and your fighting, and your desperate need to raise your head above water, no matter how many others you drown getting there.

You can't fight your nature; no more than I can.

[rathercommon]

I don't know. You say we can't, but I see every day we can. If we were made evil and spiteful, well...We were also given free will, weren't we? And you only have to open your eyes to see people giving their time, their energies, even their lives for others. And that, I think, only makes us more triumphant.

And you've got free will too, haven't you?

[angelfire]

So what you're saying is attrition will change the face of the human pestilence? Oh sure. Even the tallest mountain will one day fall into the sea. But how long do you think you've got left? The exam has to end; you don't get infinite time.

[rathercommon]

Are you speaking of humanity, or me personally?

[angelfire]

Humanity. How much attrition does it take before the herd finds a cause they're willing to fight for? You can't even cure famine. Can't end poverty. It's pathetic.
People pray for world peace, but why should God give you something you're so unwilling to accomplish for yourselves?
Seriously. Strike just one off the list, I'll take back every bad thing I ever said about humanity.

[rathercommon]

But that's the thing again. You're looking at us as though we were one. A single creature. And you find fault because we don't act together to end things that would REQUIRE all of us acting together. You've got the perspective of someone who's always been very far away, truly.

[angelfire]

Hey, you're the one that started with that 'we're getting better' crap.

[rathercommon]

Which - we are, I think. But in that the systems that twist our behavior to make it negative and harmful are being weakened.

[angelfire]

What you perceive as improvement is only the false confidence that a better quality of life gives you. A veneer against the evil truths that let you live in comfort. Like packaged meat.

[rathercommon]

Oh, believe me - back home, my quality of life is NOTHING to boast of. It's not luxuries that make me think that.

[angelfire]

You're a shocking idealist.

[rathercommon]

And really quite proudly so. Actually, I think there's no kinder thing you could call me.

[angelfire]

But I assume you also grew up in the West?
Do you know how many minutes there are until midnight?

[rathercommon]

Are you asking me what time it is?

[angelfire]

No. It's a clock that shows how close the world is to nuclear war. Of course this one is closer than others.

[rathercommon]

Oh. No, I don't. I didn't know such a thing existed.

[angelfire]

Knowing things is fun, isn't it? It's called the Doomsday Clock, and really it counts down to global catastrophe. It was five minutes away last time I checked.
There isn't a clock counting down to peace on earth and goodwill to all men.

[rathercommon]

That's a silly thing to say. And a silly thing to have, too. No one knows when catastrophe will strike, just like no one knows when things will reach their endpoint and be good.

[angelfire]

It's scientific mumbo jumbo. The probability of human self annihilation. See, you idealists--just because something is pessimistic doesn't mean it's wrong. It's just a different way of looking at the world.
Really, you should embrace your differences.

[rathercommon]

Maybe it's not wrong, no. But what's it good for? Pessimism. Nothing has ever been accomplished by people deciding it couldn't be done. So, yeah, all right, there's a possibility we'll all kill ourselves. But so what?

I'm not so terribly familiar with religion, and even if I were, I wouldn't know your particular version of it. But in the stories I've heard, you, Lucifer, rebelled against God. Right?

[angelfire]

Well I wouldn't say nothing.
But yes, I rebelled against God.

[rathercommon]

Why?