4-60: The True Nature of Earthlings (3/3)

4-60: The True Nature of Earthlings (3/3)

So basically, an idol to distract from the anxiety of everyday yet insurmountable problems? Frire said.

So people praying to their gods to flee or relieve their anxiety through enlightenment is religion? Myuhi said.

Myuhi-san, the way you put it makes it sound like psychotherapy catered for the masses, Aristel said.

Aristel pointed out how loose Myuhis analogy was, drawing a chuckle from Shinichi as he nodded.

Fu fu, thats an interesting way to put it. Religion might have that side to it as well. But I think its better looked at as a religious system meant to educate and control the population. As to whether it functions well or not would depend on the era and location, however.

So blunt.

Myuhi was taken aback by that.

If one were to look up religion and gods, plenty of history, concepts, and philosophical results would appear.

However, Shinichis opinion was void of anything mystique and was concerned solely with the practical.

That might have been because the Garestonians didnt see the value in such things, but Myuhi felt that that was actually his own take.

Anyway, the Earthlings ended up with those sort of gods. To believe that there are existences in this world with powers beyond their own control That kind of thinking is just too convenient Whether its to cling to such an existence or as an excuse to give up.

Theres an existence like that, so its okay to give up.

This ordeal was brought about by an existence like that, so nothing can be done.

Relief brought by such thinking was never permanent, but there were times when its necessary.

And since the Earthlings ended up with it, they cant just ignore it. The gods have grown too big for people to ignore or disregard. After all, they are existences to cling to However, its also true that no one has any actual depictions of them. Because no ones met them.

It might be an exaggeration, but all Earthlings generally know about the concept of gods.

Naturally, that would lead to the question of, what are gods? To which, countless different answers would come. Regardless of the truth, only an exceedingly small portion of the Earthlings have heard the voice of or met these so-called gods.

Aristel became thoughtful, then said.

Is that why the Earthlings put together those common yet uncommon concepts to create a comprehensible system? To control the people?

As someone from a country thats able to function despite having all sorts of gods, I feel thats a bit off, but regardless, the rulers would be troubled if their people ended up looking in the wrong direction.

Shinichi said that casually, but it was enough to draw out a voice of agreement from Aristel.

Indeed, she couldnt imagine controlling a situation like that.

So it was more convenient to just unite the people? The gods that served as the mental support of the people and religion that worshiped it?

Well, I cant say for sure if that was their initial objective, but its human nature to make use() of whats there. It hardly matters whether the people themselves genuinely believe or not. Wanting to be close to their gods, wanting to be seen as a good person, wanting to save everyone, wanting to be happy, wanting to make money, wanting to become popular, wanting to go to heaven Its all the same. If someone prays even a little, then its all the same(). I dont think thats a bad thing, though.

But even as he said that, the smile that surfaced on him was evil.

Evidently, he had gone out of his way to choose words that could be interpreted poorly.

When he noticed everyone other than Aristel looking at him in dismay, that smile deepened.

Good grief So, whats this religious system youre talking about?

As Alice said, religions differ from one another, but there is usually nothing wrong with the teachings themselves. Rather, they teach about human nature, or make us think about life and death. In a sense, they fill the parts that normal education doesnt cover. For example, most Japanese would mourn the dead with their hands put together. This is true even if theyre not Buddhists. That is because its already normal(OP) for the dead to be mourned in this way.

So even if not everyone believes, the teachings will spread and become common sense. I see, thats why its called a religious system.

He seemed to be saying that the Earthlings have imposed too much on the gods, but at the same time, he seemed to also be saying that they should work them even harder.

Then he laughed and said, When you think about itTheres no other species that abuses the gods as much as the humans.

But there was a lack of emotion in his voice as though this were a matter that concerned him not.

Indeed, his was an extreme viewpoint just as he claimed at the start.

It was also true that the end result was the same regardless of the feelings involved.

Perhaps thats the reason why Someones breath quietly resounded in the train.

Earthlings were creatures that created a being greater than them, only to work them to the bone.

Its certainly terrifying when you look at it that way.

Frire said despite the unspeakable awe she felt,

leading Shinichi to laugh softly.

Fu fu fu fu.

What a nasty laugh, Myuhi said.

But as soft as that laughter may be, when it was Shinichi who was doing it, the image he engendered was the exact opposite.

Whats so funny? Frire asked.

I mean You Garestonians might not have a religion, but you certainly have your gods. Theres a particular group that fits the definition, right?

Huh?

Shinichis definition of a god was a device that would allow people to impose their problems onto or allow them to give up.

At times, these gods would be relied upon to bring them relief, and at times, they would stand up for them.

Surely not

Aristel muttered, shocked. Indeed, she was as wise as he thought.

It wasnt a perfect match, but there was one thing that fit the bill.

What are you trying to say, Nakamura? Frire said.

The gods of the Garestonians that allow them to keep the populace under control and the impossible problem that is the raybeasts anchored.

Ah!

Ah!

Frire and Myuhi were speechless.

There was no one here who failed to see his point. After all, this was something directly related to them.

The warriors of Garesto would stand up for the people to fight the raybeasts, and they were the nobles that led those warriors. Perhaps, it was an exaggeration to call them gods; however, there was no doubt that they fit Shinichis own description of a god.

You should be careful. Even if the people themselves dont mean to, youre standing at just the right spot, so Do take care not to get crushed. It was curious if Shinichi was worried or anxious, but the sight of the bewildered girls drew out another round of laughter from him.

Eerily enough, he was just like an evil existence(evil god), one that beguiled the human mind.