First, Lorielan, I would prefer you not to refer to me as your sister. I
understand some gods use this term of endearment as an affectation and,
yes, in a general sense we are all children of Sarapis, but really My
beginnings are unique unto Me and thus I have never considered My fellow
deities as siblings. Not that it matters much as you are free to call Me
whatever you want, but just the same it annoys Me. Also, I'm rather
confused (as always!) by your statement that you do not favor the spread
of knowledge. Even if you wish to dictate what knowledge is unwholesome
(or not), I certainly don't understand how this relates to the current
topic (unless you consider discussing the Church's Anti-Love policy as
the "wanton" spread of knowledge). Perhaps you think it is "wasting
gold" for mortals to thoughtfully write out their thoughts and opinions,
but really your tone indicates that you'd rather brush the whole matter
under the table.

Second, Deucalian, I apologize for misinterpreting your news article as
an attempt to stifle the discussion regarding the Church's Anti-Love
policy. I'm rather perplexed why you wrote the article at all as
everyone already understands who makes the Church's decision. Even if it
wasn't meant to dampen the lively articles being written, that was the
effect and perhaps you underestimate the influence of proclamations by a
God. I encourage you to be more thoughtful before offhandedly scribbling
ambiguous statements.

Finally, to those Church members who have sought Me out for counsel
regarding the Church's Anti-Love policy, I am quite flattered that you
come to Me for guidance, especially since I really don't know you very
well. In any event, to answer your questions, it is My opinion that the
Church's policy as it stands is ambiguous, prejudiced and, at the least,
alarmingly subjective when it decides who is or isn't an appropriate
mate for one of its members. The most obvious tragedy of this draconian
policy would be if a Church member does marry someone whom the Church
approves, but then that person at some point in the future suddenly
becomes "undesirable". Would the Church cast out that Church member
because of the spouse? Would the Church force that person to annul his
or her marriage? The solution, however, is equally quite obvious: if the
Church does wish to limit who its members can or cannot marry, it simply
needs to enact either (a) a vow of celibacy to its members or (b) a
straightforward policy that only members of the Church may marry each
other. Either way, all parties would be able to understand that
decisions are received objectively rather than subjectively and those
joining the Church would know from the outset exactly who they can or
cannot marry (or if they can marry at all). Simple, yes?

Eris, Goddess of Chaos


Penned by my hand on the 7th of Aeguary, in the year 304 AF.