Fandom High School

Ghanima was completely unaffected by whatever was going around this week, apparently, as she sat serenely in front of the class.

Sometimes, being able to control yourself on the cellular level to, say, render a certain pollen inert was fantastic.

"Some of you are most likely having concentration issues today, so we'll keep this simple," she said, trying to keep a neutral face (though some essence of a smile was probably peeking through).

"Earlier in the semester we talked about prophets and oracles, and you had the chance to read your fortunes i if you liked. Now, since we're closer to the end of the semester, you have another chance to read your fate, or the fates of your classmates."

She gestured around the room, at the tarot cards, bones, oracle cards, kau chim, polished crystals, and various other moddable devices. "There's many different ways to see the future. Just no necromancy in class, please."

Who knows? Perhaps visions of tiny visitors would dance in their heads!

( Hinduism is not just a faith. It is the union of reason and intuition that can not be defined but is only to be experienced. Evil and error are not ultimate. There is no Hell, for that means there is a place where God is not, and there are sins which exceed his love. )

"Most interesting, to me, at least, is that contrary to some of the other major Earth religions, concepts of conversion, evangelization, and proselytization are absent from Hindu texts and in practice have never played a significant role, though acceptance of willing converts is becoming more common."

When the students arrived in the Danger Shop today, they would find themselves in a meditation garden, Ghanima already sitting in an ānāpānasati stance beside the sand garden with with her eyes closed, a stack of handouts beside her.

"Good morning, class," she said, blue-on-blue eyes flickering open as the last person took a seat. "Please make yourselves comfortable. Today we study Buddhism."

"Buddhism, as traditionally conceived, is a path of salvation attained through insight into the ultimate nature of reality. It encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha, who lived in and around the Indian sub-continent. Adherents recognize the Buddha as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end suffering, achieve nirvana, and escape what is seen as a cycle of suffering and rebirth. However, Buddhist schools disagree over the historical teachings of the Buddha, and on the importance and canonicity of various scriptures," she said, standing to pass out the handouts.

"Two major branches of Buddhism are recognized: Theravada, "The School of the Elders", and Mahayana, "The Great Vehicle". Theravada, the oldest surviving, has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, whilst Mahayana, which is found throughout East Asia, includes the traditions of Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Shingon, Tendai and Shinnyo-en . In some classifications, a third branch, Vajrayana, is recognized, although many see this as an offshoot of the Mahayana. Other movements have appeared in recent times, sometimes classified as Buddhist modernism."

"While Buddhism remains most popular within Asia, both branches are now found throughout the world. Various sources put the number of Buddhists in the world at between 230 million and 500 million. As the foundation of all Buddhist practice is ethical conduct and altruism, the appeal is not limited to the countries where it started," she explained. "Further practices can vary widely, but may include renunciation, meditation, the cultivation of mindfulness and wisdom, the study of scriptures, physical exercises, devotion and ceremonies, or the invocation of bodhisattvas."

"Good morning," Ghanima said cheerfully as the students trickled into class today. "I see most of you managed to survive the strangeness with the rodents! Thank whatever god you believe in and grab some coffee, because we have a lot to cover today."

"Polytheism is the belief in and worship of multiple deities, called gods and goddesses. These are usually assembled into a pantheon, along with their own mythologies and rituals. Many religions, both historical and contemporary, have a belief in polytheism, such as Hinduism, Shinto, Ancient Greek Polytheism, Roman Polytheism, Germanic Polytheism, Slavic polytheism, Chinese folk religion, Neopagan faiths and Anglo-Saxon paganism."

( He was not, of course, an atheist; on the Disc the gods dealt severely with atheists. On the few occasions when he had some spare change he had always made a point of dropping a few coppers into a temple coffer, somewhere, on the principle that a man needed all the friends he could get. But usually he didn't bother the Gods, and he hoped the Gods wouldn't bother him. Life was quite complicated enough. )

"For your assignment today, I have handouts regarding various early polytheistic religions. Please pick a religion and a deity from that pantheon, and discuss with a friend or two why you think people during that era might have worshiped such a god."

Ghanima was sitting seiza on one of the cushions, completely absorbed in her book. But the moment that everyone was seated, she snapped to attention.

"Like the definition of religion, the construction of religious history is a task fraught with ideological implications," Ghanima said crisply, setting her text aside and getting up to wander the room. "Early studies of religions were often written to imply that the author's own religion was the most accurate. Even in a secular history, to imply that religion "progresses" towards better understanding of reality makes a value judgment about past religions; likewise, to consider religion an essentially social construction with no transcendent meaning denies the claims of every religious authority."

"It is important to note that here is no time or place in human history where religious movements are not being founded, and religious practice is not merely a matter of founding prophets but also of local traditions and reforms. There is not even a single era when the Abrahamic religions were developed; the Jewish prophets lived some centuries before Jesus, Muhammad came six centuries after him, and Bahá'u'lláh founded the Bahá'í Faith over a millennium later."

"Religion was the dominant ideology behind many conflicts of the Middle Ages. Muslims were in conflict with Zoroastrians during the Islamic conquest of Persia; Christians were in conflict with Muslims during the Byzantine-Arab Wars, Crusades, Spanish Reconquista and Ottoman wars in Europe; Christians were in conflict with Jews during the Crusades, Reconquista and Inquisition; Shamans were in conflict with Buddhists, Taoists, Muslims and Christians during the Mongol invasions; and Muslims were in conflict with Hindus during Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent."

"European colonization during the 15th to 19th centuries resulted in the spread of Christianity to Sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, Australia and the Philippines. The 18th century saw the beginning of secularization in Europe, rising to notability in the wake of the French Revolution. By the 20th century, religion was no longer -- usually -- the dominant ideological force behind international wars, but had generally been unseated by political ideals such as democracy and communism. However, it is still a driving factor in regional conflicts, especially in areas where a minority religion has a natural resource that the majority desires. Unfortunately, however, 'because our religion is the right one and they are bad and wrong' has been creeping back into international conflicts in a more obvious manner with current US policy."

"You may be asking, 'why is this important?' After all, isn't this a class about religions? What does the politics matter?" Ghanima continued wander, gesturing as she spoke. "To understand a religion, you cannot simply accept the theological and mythical history of it. You must understand how it was shaped, what shaped it, and how it influenced the world around it. A religion is not a thing set in stone, but a living, breathing, creation. One which must be carefully tended and raised, least it all prey to those around it."

"To you, this may sound misanthropic at best. After all, isn't religion about divine revelation? To the lay-person, yes, of course, it may well be. But it is also a method of validation, of control, of imposing something upon the surroundings, and attempting to force the world to fit the mold created for it."

"And believe me when I say that the use of religion as a weapon and a tool for control is not an obscure idea. I possess the training of the Bene Gesserit; a key social, religious and political force in my universe. The Bene Gesserit have chosen to use indirect methodologies to further their goals, rather than wield overt power themselves. They have noted the Taoist principle that whatever rises must fall; and so rather than taking direct control of the human race, instead manipulate the social and political order with subtlety and insinuation, often using extraordinarily long-term stratagems spanning generations."

"One method that the Sisterhood practices "religious engineering" is through a faction called the Missionaria Protectiva, which spreads contrived myths, prophecies and superstition among the populations of the Empire. A Bene Gesserit may then later take advantage of the prophecies, casting herself as a guide, protector, or some other figure in fulfillment of the prophecy, in order to manipulate the religious subjects for protection or other purposes. These myths also exploit religion as a powerful force in human society; by controlling the particulars of religion, the Bene Gesserit have a manipulative lever on society in general," she said calmly. "It is not something done lightly, but it is done often and efficiently. Entire planets have had their philosophies re-engineered to suit the desires of the Sisterhood, with no one the wiser. This can take years, decades, even centuries, but the Sisterhood can afford to be patient, so long as it serves their purpose."

"Your activity for today is to take a religion that you are familiar with, and look at it with a critical eye. Who benefits from its laws? Who does not? How could you leverage it to your own advantage if you were stuck somewhere with no money and no allies? If you would like to pair up with a friend or two, please feel free, or you may work on your own."

"And the gods of fortune have struck; Miss Beniko. I have a key to the TA lounge for you."

"Welcome to our last class of the semester," Ghanima said. "Today, I'd like to hear from you."

"We've covered another of religions in this class, looking at how and why they developed, and their basic belief structures. Now I'm going to ask you to think about what you've heard, and use your imaginations."

"I'd like you to picture yourself dropped into a hostile environment. You have no money, no allies, and the natives are quite hostile to outsiders. Luckily, you are exceedingly familiar with the planetary religion and it's resultant myths and legends."

"Out of all the various religions we've covered, which one would you find the easiest to use to your advantage in this situation? Or if you cannot picture yourself in such a situation, what religion that we've studied has intrigued you the most?"

[OCD up!]

"In religion, a prophet is a person who has been contacted by, or has encountered, the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other humans. The message that the prophet conveys is called a prophecy," Ghanima began. "Claims of prophets have existed in many cultures through history, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, the Sybilline and Delphic Oracles practices in Ancient Greece, Zoroaster, the Völuspá in Old Norse, and many others. Traditionally, prophets are regarded as having a role in society that promotes change due to their messages and actions."

"And where prophecy walks, the concept of destiny is not far behind. Destiny refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. It is a concept based on the belief that there is a fixed natural order to the universe."

"Some believe that divine guidence may be ascertained by divination. In the belief systems of many cultures, one's destiny can only be learned about through a shaman, babalawo, prophet, sibyl, saint or seer. In the Shang dynasty in China, turtle bones were thrown ages before the I Ching was codified. Arrows were tossed to read destiny, from Thrace to pagan Mecca. In Yoruba traditional religion, the Ifá oracle is consulted via a string of sixteen cowries or oil-palm nuts whose pattern when thrown on to a wooden tray represents the 256 possible combinations whose named "chapters" are recited and verses interpreted for the client by the babalawo. Every society has their own way of fortelling a future, from worm entrails to crystal balls. My empire put its fate in the hands of a family that can walk the veils of time, forward and back, to see what lies beyond, and now they're stuck with the future that the Mahdi chose. Oracles can be a tricky bunch, and you must always assume that they may have a hidden agenda of their own."

[OCD UP!]

Ghanima had had a sense of tingling unease all weekend, like something was scratching behind her eyes, wanting to be seen. A tingling she had pointedly ignored, which had only served to make it so bad, she had taken to bed and not gotten any of the prep for today's class finished.

She wanted no part of the prescience of her brother or father, thank you.

"We're watching a movie today," she said as everyone came in. "There's a handout right over there, and we'll actually discuss Hinduism as a religion next week."

[OCD up!]

When the students arrived in the Danger Shop today, they would find the desks abandoned in favor of large meditation garden, Ghanima already sitting in an ānāpānasati stance with her eyes closed, a stack of handouts beside her.

"Good morning, class," she said, blue-on-blue eyes flickering open as the last person took a seat. "Please make yourselves comfortable. Today we study Buddhism."

( Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts )


[OCD Up!]

The class met in the Danger Room today, which was set up into a series of different rooms. Most of them were full of very heavy furniture. The last one was full of low tables with tea kettles resting on top.

( You have said it, but you have not understood. )

He certainly hadn't messed with the tea, as a subtle manipulator of the elements might do. Except for how he had.

[OOC: Major props to the always-awesome nojesusfreak for humoring my request. OCD is up, and see the OOC note.]

"Last week, we covered Eid ul-Fitr," Ghanima began as people began taking their seats today. "However, this isn't only a holy time of year for Islam. Today is Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, which is one of the holiest days of the year for the Hebrew people. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with an approximately 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days."

( And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. )

"Today I'd like us to discuss the concepts of atonement and repentance as a group, and once class is over, I ask that you use the rest of the day for self-reflection. Last week was about joy and goodwill towards your fellow man; today is about being a better person."

[the ocd is in the house!]

"Today we are looking at one of the more dominant faiths on this planet," Ghanima said crisply. "Or rather, four faiths that share one founder. Our focus today is on the Abrahamic religions."

( The tendency to turn human judgments into divine commands makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world. )

[OCD up, beware the teal deer!]

It was another Monday, the start of another semester, and Ghanima was sitting on her desk as the students filed in, feet kicking lightly against its front.

The moment the bell rang, her eyes snapped from the door to the children seated around the room. "Good afternoon and welcome," she said in a clear voice that carried effortlessly. "This is Hubris from Revelation, and I am Lady Ghanima Atreides. Those of you have not taken one of my classes before may address me as Miss Atreides, Lady Ghanima, Miss Ghanima, or some variation thereof. Preferably not Lady Atreides as that is technically my grandmother, but I will answer to it if you are not comfortable with another title."

( It is only hubris if I fail. )

"So why don't we do the usual first-day introductions? Thrilling, I know, but necessary for our new students. I would like your name, class, and what, if any, religion you follow and why. We don't need a theological lecture, even something as simple as 'I like it' would suffice just fine."


[OCD UP! TA positions are already filled via the Gods of the RNG and will be announced IC next week, but feel free to toss your name in the bowl anyway. Please be sure to check the syllabus for all IC/OOC information regarding the class. Offer void where prohibited, see store for details.]