Hello all,

Although I have managed to keep off the public forum as much as possible
during this whole unsavoury affair, I feel that the time has come to say
something, spurred simply by the apalling self-righteousness displayed
in Qwilleran's post. This holier-than-thou attitude has mired the Church
for too long now, and it makes me unbelievably sad.

This is not about myself and Shakti. That is history, and we have
already had our say on this matter. The decision with Shakti was
justifiable, and I do not have, nor will I ever have, a problem with it.
Nor am I worried about my excommunication. I was fully aware of the
consequences of joining Ashtan, and I can live with them easily.

This is about the Church as an institution, The Blank Generation, and
will contain an aside about someone Qwilleran is very close to, so close
that they could almost be one and the same.

Qwilleran first.

Tell me, with distilled purity dripping from your every pore. Tell me,
your soul bright, and conscience clear. Tell me how joining a clan, the
purpose of which will be later outlined here, is somehow less
Church-like than abusing the devotion skillset, in order to make Liskra
remove her clothes? Essentially, what Archimedes did is vile, and evil.
To perform force, not to oppose chaos, or evil, but for one's own sick
personal gratification is the ultimate expression of disgustingly
selfish attitude. Archimedes should not be in the Church.

Next, The Blank Generation.

I accept, and understand, that membership of any clan called, however
tongue-in-cheek, The Verlaine and Shakti fan club, would be frowned upon
by the Church, given recent circumstances. Hence the dissolution of the
clan, and the formation of The Blank Generation. Essentially, the clan
was started in order to establish a place in Sapience where members of
any guild or city, (by invitation only. *smooth*) could escape from to
pettiness of guild and city matters, and just enjoy the company of
similar minds. The clan includes both Church members (cough. Ex-Church
members), and Occultists. But, here's the clever part. Neither side
tries to convert the other. The Blank Generation is pure, unmitigated
escapism, and I offer no apologies whatsoever for forming it, nor
inviting anyone to join. Put quite simply, the clan makes people happy,
and I will never deny anyone happiness.

Finally, the Church.

Qwilleran's post was easily the saddest thing that I've read in recent
times. I am at a disadvantage here. I remember the Church how it used to
be- A constructive, enjoyable, loving organisation, that was not run by
petty beaurocracy, ceremony, micro-management and over-bearing rules and
regulations. It was not run by self-proclaimed automatons. It was run
for the benefit of its members, and strove to gain the respect of the
whole of Achaea- which it did.

I do not have a problem with anyone in the Church, but I have a problem
with the way things are being handled. I beg you now, Church leaders, to
stand up, and say, "Yes. The Church is in a hole, and has been for the
past half a century. We realise this, but _we are trying our best to
change things_" I'm not asking for excuses. I'm not asking for argument.
I'm asking for honesty, and desire to improve, two things that any
self-respecting (as opposed to anally self-righteous) member of the
Church should be able to display.

Why has the Church become so insular? Why so inward-looking all the
time? Let's not worry about whether or not Church members should use a
comb, in order to prevent chaotic hair, or clean their teeth, to prevent
evil breath. It's time for the Church to regain its respect, and this is
something that must be done of two fronts. The Church needs to start
being loved by ALL of its members again, not just the more rabidly,
holier-than-thou members. It is truly a sad day when a pacifist priest,
who _simply wants to help people_ is berated for doing so. Sorry,
correct me if I'm wrong, but the primary duty of a Priest _is_ to help
people, not to kill them! Will the Church interview requirements be
changed? If one is asked what to do if they see a starving Maldaathi or
Occultist by the side of the road, will the correct answer now be,
"Well, I wouldn't feed them". "Actually, I think I'd kill them. Because
I hate them, and hatred is good."

What happened to a Church of construction, and love? The first Achaean
Church built our great highways, monuments that last to this very day.
What will this current Church leave, except a sour taste? There is time
to change, time for redemption. The Church is stagnant and sad. The
Church is in a hole. Only the Church can save themselves. Please, as an
institution I still have a fondness for, do yourself, and Sapience a
favour, and act like a Church!

On a related topic, myself, Shakti and Silverstorm will be spearheading
a new organisation, in order to help those young members of this land
who have been unfortunately cast aside for the beliefs, and may have, as
a result, lost valuable lessons. We offer a place, a Church of Dreams
and Love, if you will, where outcasts and those who go against the
grain, can come, and find partial recompense, be it replacement of
lessons, or simply a community to replace that which has been lost.

This post is not the start of a debate. This post is here to exonerate,
clarify, and is a call to arms. Take heed, but do not take offence.

Verlaine


Penned by my hand on the 17th of Glacian, in the year 304 AF.