Sgrios Mass: Respect (We don't do that here)

 

Tonight we are not going to be discussing any musty old tomes, nor am I really even going to be touching on decay. Tonight, our lecture is something every guest of this temple is certainly already aware of. Tonight we'll be speaking on "respect" or... as I often find myself repeating - "we don't do that here."

Now I'm not speaking of blind respect towards those that we perceive as above us. *laughs* That's a silly notion, for a worshiper of Sgrios matters just as much as a minister. But of respect towards those that have earned it and -mutual- respect for those showing effort. A minister deserves respect for the many masses and initiates that they have performed of course, but so does an Acolyte who has assisted the temple in other ways.

And though I'm certain that all clergies have to deal with this unfortunate situation at times, Sgrios seems to draw those with more... sinister tendencies. I've witnessed one Aisling spit at every mention of the name Cail. A second play a "joke" by blindly insulting and disrupting a priest during mass. I have sat in on stimulating lectures at the College, only to have them rudely interrupted by a new Sgrian denouncing the blasphemies of all Caillites. Let me be crystal clear. We don't do that here.

While it may be true that the mundanes have resigned Sgrios dogma to little more than raving lunatics, and the temple attendants call Him an "abomination." Spend any amount of time in our temple I can assure you - we don't do that here. Often, a new initiate declaring their "evil intent" ends with a member of the high clergy trudging towards an enemy temple, note in hand. "I apologize, we are all striving to promote peaceful discussion," it would read. "We don't do that here."

Then comes the unbelievably difficult and painful task of removing a member that could have been a valued member of the clergy. I'm sure everyone present has a good idea of what they will receive in their mail. A letter stating that simple phrase. I'm sure it goes without saying that everyone gathered here tonight likely understands this simple task. I nevertheless want to give a gentle reminder that EVERY priest in EVERY religion has been tasked with passing this message along, it unfortunately warrants mentioning to those new to our lands.

But before I scare all the young ones into silence, let me take a second to mention the elders duty in all of this. When an Aisling spends more Deochs than one can count serving a temple, please don't immediately dismiss their opinions. They're almost certainly speaking on behalf of what is best for their temple. But at the same time, challenge those perceptions! Ask questions! Engage! 

I can assure anyone feeling sheepish that there is no greater feeling than when a new initiate makes a genuinely intriguing query. Even more so when a new Aisling submits a contest entry that challenges our long-held beliefs. *looks at Wormtongue* Is it scorn and anger that one is met with? 

Of course not! We're all seekers of knowledge! So go forth into our lands with that mutual respect of one another. We are not battling each other in the arena, so please lets ensure we don't act like it.

With grace and patience, in Sgrios' name, amen.

~Phever