Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jun 16, 2021 4:21:21 GMT
[ Uncle - Eastman-Williams Quarters, Front Ear Station ] The Bajoran chuckled in agreement with Max's observation that while food could lighten the mood sans alcohol, booze certainly didn't hurt matters. "Here, here," Uncle chimed. "Of course I never really fancied over indulgence of alcohol. Always felt it was best to keep my wits about me." Uncle shrugged. "Perhaps some day I'll test those waters, but it's more likely that I know better than to try at this point."Uncle turned her eyes towards the couple after treating herself to another forkful. "You mentioned something before: koh-shur?" she attempted to repeat the word correctly. "What is that exactly?"
Tag: Judith Eastman (& Max)
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jun 16, 2021 5:14:01 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman-Williams, PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Quarters]"Oh, that kind of overindulgence is definitely for younger people than we," Judy agreed. Then the topic circled back to kashrut. "That's right. Kosher refers to the dietary restrictions of the Jewish religion, which I - and therefore the household - follow.""Judy's something of a rarity among humans, in that way," Max added. He'd always found religion fascinating - whether it was Judaism, or the Bajoran faith in the prophets.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jun 16, 2021 18:09:15 GMT
[ Uncle - Eastman-Williams Quarters, Front Ear Station ] Uncle slowly nodded as the explanation came from both Judy and Max. "Ah, yes... I believe I understand," she said. She could recall of some of her people adhering to a somewhat strict diet in their relation with the Prophets. Of course, she couldn't recall anyone from her own province doing so. "It's actually quite rare that I hear very much on religions from your world," Uncle asked. "When I was last on Earth, I found it to be somewhat of a controversial topic. There were overlapping mythos, but subtle and not so subtle differences as well."
Tag: Judith Eastman (& Max)
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jun 16, 2021 21:40:25 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman-Williams, PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Quarters]"It's a very awkward topic for many humans, and a bit of an open question. Religion, centered around the faith in a deity, was a central element of human society. We built our moral and legal codes around it, and fought horrible wars over it. Now, humans by and large reject the belief in gods, or at least in our old personal god, and how we deal with the complicated historic and cultural legacy of our religions, is... difficult," Judy explained, weighing her words carefully. "Personally, I see my religious heritage as my connection to my ancestors, regardless of the question of a personal god.""Her people are also special because they were the only ethnic group on Earth to practice their religion, so the old Jewish culture and Jewish religion are pretty much one and the same," Max added. From interactions with Judy, her family, and various rabbis, he fancied himself almost an expert.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jun 18, 2021 0:18:20 GMT
[ Uncle - Eastman-Williams Quarters, Front Ear Station ] Uncle found herself admittedly confused. How was it possible for a people to exist and thrive as the humans had without their faith being centered in their culture. She honestly couldn't think of any prosperous people that splintered in such a fashion. Vulcans had the teaching of Surak. The Klingons had the glory of Kahless. The Ferengi sought the approval of the Registrar to enter their Divine Treasury. "I see," Uncle said, though likely not very convincingly. Perhaps it was some of Max's words hinted at some level of comfort or rationalization for Uncle. It certainly made sense that if the Captain was among a special people that she had prospered. Her culture and faith went hand in hand, and perhaps her god had given her fortune because of it. "So... you're saying that your people, your ancestors were chosen by your god?" she asked. It seemed to make sense, though why only a single group of people. Were the others still shunned because they wouldn't convert? "I'm sorry, and mean no offense. I just... can't fathom how so many different faiths... or truths can exist on a single planet. On Bajor, there has only ever been the Prophets."
Tag: Judith Eastman (& Max)
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
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Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jun 18, 2021 2:35:44 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman-Williams, PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Quarters]"Well, I suppose I should take it a few... thousand steps back," Judy said, a pedagogical note slipping into her voice. "Earth's earliest religions were just primitive humans' way of explaining phenomena we couldn't understand. Why does it rain? Because the rain god makes it rain. As time went on, we developed more complicated systems around these deities, stories about how various gods interacted with each other, and then - organized religion. Sometimes, religion was used as an excuse for war, bigotry, and oppression. All this, independently, across various societies."
"Along came the Jewish people, who developed the idea of monolatry: one God, who has all sorts of different powers, and who protects one people - Jews. Monolatry evolved into monotheism - the idea that the one God is the only God, and the others are false; that idea put monotheistic religions in an inherent conflict with all other religions: Christianity and Islam, the two big monotheistic faiths, resolved that conflict by deciding that all people should be converted to their one true faith; they created an unquenchable drive for expansion, and a justification for using any means necessary."
"After many holy wars and many genocides, humans came to accept the idea that maybe, just maybe, no one group has a monopoly on truth. That's brought us to where we are now, a species seeking knowledge, seeking truth, without claiming to already have it."Starfleet's command-level officers were taught to share an abridged version of Earth's religious history with foreign dignitaries, when asked. In this familiar setting, Judy personalized and embellished that history.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 4, 2021 2:07:12 GMT
[ Uncle - Eastman-Williams Quarters, Front Ear Station ] Uncle certainly found herself enthralled by the tale of faith... or faiths, that Judy was sharing with her. She always knew humans to be a young species, but admittedly had no idea that faith had been so controversial on their world. It only made them more of a mystery as a people that they had influenced so many cultures and were among the core of the Federation. "Well, I never would have expected that," Uncle said, honestly uncertain what to stay. "So, are you saying that your people currently seek truth, and have abandoned the religions you spoke of earlier?" she asked. "Forgive me, it's difficult for me to understand. Have the gods or God of Earth never revealed themselves to the people? Or are there any artifacts that verify their existence, like the Tears of the Prophets, for instance?"
Tag: Judith Eastman (& Max)
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Judith Eastman
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Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jul 4, 2021 3:27:36 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Quarters]"No, our gods never revealed themselves, and we think that's probably because we made them up," Max explained. "That's... one of the things I was getting at, but so much more concise," Judy agreed. "So much of the scripture our ancestors produced was... wrong, about the truths of the physical world, human anatomy, and so on, that we can only conclude that they're either total works of fiction, which I think is rather more likely, or so distorted as to be fictions."The Captain took a sip of water. "Bajor is a rarity, in having any deities that have ever been observed."It was without a doubt a sensitive topic, but Judy was never one to shy away from such things.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 4, 2021 3:58:53 GMT
[ Uncle - Eastman-Williams Quarters, Front Ear Station ] It was such a blunt statement that left Max's lips, Uncle certainly hadn't expected it. Yet, she could certainly see how humans could arrive to such a conclusion. Faith and devotion typically led to some sort of reward or confirmation. If that were lacking, then it made sense that people would draw such conclusions. Of course, it wasn't a logic that was unilaterally applied it seemed. Bajor was seen as an exception, and Uncle certainly wouldn't argue such a point. Yet, after what both Max and Judy had shared, Uncle couldn't help but have questions, one in particular. "Is it okay if I ask what you personally believe of Earth's deity?" Uncle asked.
Tag: Judith Eastman (& Max)
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Judith Eastman
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Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jul 4, 2021 22:41:49 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Quarters]"Well, I'm pretty certain Earth's deities are fictional characters, but I don't rule out the possibility of other powerful beings - like the Prophets, or the Q - who may have been active around Earth," Judy explained. "I don't worship them, however.""I have a slightly different belief," Max agreed. "There's a lot in the universe that's just so beautiful, it's hard to believe it was created at random - various landscapes, a particular Starfleet Captain, and so on - but that doesn't mean the creators are superior; they're just different."Judy giggled at the compliment Max had paid her in his usual way. "Part of the point is that neither of us know the answer," Max added.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 5, 2021 20:49:53 GMT
[ Uncle - Eastman-Williams Quarters, Front Ear Station ] Uncle listened as the Williams couple explained their beliefs... or lack thereof. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be their position. They didn't believe in any deity of their world, but accepted the existence of the Prophets and the Q. "Then, seeing truly is believing," she commented. Uncle wasn't entirely certain that she believed that as well, and wondered if her faith would be different if she hadn't witnessed the works of the Prophets herself. "So, you practice the way of your Jewish people out of culture, rather than faith?" she asked. Though, she felt that was the natural conclusion to reach from what she'd been told. "Well, it seems religion or politics can find its way to any dinner table after all."
Tag: Judith Eastman (& Max)
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Judith Eastman
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Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jul 6, 2021 4:32:07 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Quarters]"I'll tell you this: politics don't pop up at my dinner table. My mother was a career politician, and Gerald is too, so Max can't stand any more of it," Judy said, pivoting the conversation slightly. "Judy is so good to me like that," Max added. "She could've run for office herself."Judy placed a little peck on Max's cheek.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516 Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 7, 2021 7:06:40 GMT
[ Uncle - Eastman-Williams Quarters, Front Ear Station ] The Bajoran nodded at the revelation that politics was a taboo topic at their table. "Understood," she said after learning that it was a bit of a familiar career tract. Rather interesting that it tended to be avoided. Uncle began to wonder if it was because they didn't see eye to eye on such matters. "Well, the weather is certainly not up for discussion." Uncle smiled and shook her head slightly. "There is something I am curious about though," Uncle went on. "The colony, down on Kerelia. Is it really worth visiting... or staying there even. I suppose you could say that I'm in the market for a permanent residence and, it's one of the sites up for consideration."
Tag: Judith Eastman (& Max)
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Judith Eastman
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Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jul 7, 2021 20:46:32 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Quarters]"The colony is lovely. It's a very cute little community, and so very close to the beach, too," Judy answered, and then stood up from the table. Max, who had a feeling he knew what Judy was going to do, added to those words. "We have an apartment down there, on Crane Street. We like to spend weekends there when Judy's work allows it."Judy returned to the table, holding a PADD with photos loaded on it. "We have some pictures here, from our recent holiday down there; it's truly a wonderful place."The photos would show the charm of the young colony, the natural beauty of the pristine beaches and jungles of the planet, and the older couple taking it all in together.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
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Posts: 516 Likes: 34
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Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 8, 2021 6:32:03 GMT
[ Uncle - Eastman-Williams Quarters, Front Ear Station ] Judy was the first to answer, and spoke rather fondly of the colony. She then excused herself, leaving Uncle at the table with Max. He mentioned that they had an apartment in the colony that they visited on weekends. The Bajoran's brow arched with a bit of surprise. "Really?" she said. "I surprised the two of you have the time. You're so busy and all." Still, from what she heard, the idea of the colony sounded rather attractive. Judy returned with a PADD loaded with photos. Taking advantage of the invitation to view the album, Uncle did just that. "Well, if all of this isn't a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is," Uncle stated. "I'll have to find time to visit rather soon and see this little paradise in person."
Tag: Judith Eastman (& Max)
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