Chapter 870

【 DEBATES OVER DOCTRINE 】

Religious debates.

Unlike Western religions on Earth, religious debates were not uncommon in the world of Seiguës, where supernatural powers existed and deities were real.

Moreover, because the gods frequently descended into the mortal world in their incarnate forms and sometimes even walked among the land, their believers’ reverence for them was not based solely on religious dogma.

Therefore, most believers did not reject introspection or critical reflection. Compared with followers of certain religions on Earth, they were often more open-minded and tolerant in their thinking, willing to examine their beliefs and discuss the principles underlying their faith.

Here in Seiguës, religious debates primarily took place among the clergy of the same church. These discussions provided an opportunity for priests and other religious figures to exchange ideas, reflect on their doctrines, and deepen their understanding of their faith.

The true gods themselves were more than happy to see such discussions take place.

In fact, they would sometimes refine their own doctrines based on the insights and conclusions their believers reached through these debates. As long as an idea could help a deity expand their influence, strengthen the principles underlying their faith, or further consolidate their religious following, they were generally willing to accept it.

Thus with the endorsement of the true gods, religious debates gradually acquired a lofty status and became an important tradition within the major churches throughout the Seiguës Universe. They were no longer regarded as mere exchanges of opinions, but as a legitimate means of examining religious principles and improving the doctrines through which the gods guided their followers.

Over time, disagreements between different churches were also frequently addressed through religious debates before either side resorted to more extreme measures.

However, debates between different churches were an entirely different matter.

The doctrines upheld by different gods could vary dramatically, making it exceedingly difficult for one side to convince the other through argument alone. Some religious principles were even fundamentally incompatible because they were rooted in conflicting beliefs and laws governing the world.

Consequently, clergy from different churches often approached these debates with objectives that extended far beyond the pursuit of truth.

More often than not, they would deliberately steer the discussion toward subjects on which their own church held an advantage, using those points to undermine and suppress their opponents. Alternatively, they would cite their doctrines and religious tenets to justify their own actions, attempting to establish that their conduct was not only permissible but also morally righteous.

In other words, religious debates involving different Churches often served as a means of claiming the moral high ground.

Of course, the moral high ground established through such debates was not necessarily founded on what was genuinely right. Sometimes, the arguments amounted to little more than mere sophistry. On other occasions, they were outright attempts to rationalize questionable behavior or deceive the audience.

Nevertheless, the sacred prestige associated with religious debates meant that the outcome often mattered more than the substance of the arguments themselves. So as long as one side managed to overwhelm the other through forceful rhetoric, a commanding presence, or a seemingly decisive victory, it would generally be regarded as the winner.

Such debates were particularly common during religious trials in Seiguës.

If the victorious party happened to be the presiding judge, they could even use their victory as justification for dealing with defeated clergy from opposing churches as they saw fit.

This remained true even when the defeated individuals were envoys of a god.

Naturally, this arrangement worked best when the two churches involved possessed relatively comparable levels of power.

After all, religious debates could only serve their intended purpose when both sides had sufficient standing to participate on relatively equal terms.

Unfortunately, the situation in Seiguës had changed considerably over the centuries.

Eight hundred years ago, the Holy Maniya Empire had expanded to the limits of its territorial reach. Meanwhile, the faith of the Eternal Lord had gradually spread throughout the cosmos, extending the Eternal Church’s influence across other realms.

Since then, the Eternal Church had steadily distinguished itself from the other churches, eventually establishing an overwhelming position of dominance.

As its power continued to grow, the need for religious debates in its dealings with other churches gradually diminished. After all, when one side possessed an overwhelming advantage in both authority and influence, there was little incentive to engage in lengthy theological arguments with those who could scarcely challenge its position.

Thus, the Eternal Church of today had grown accustomed to settling disputes through its authority rather than through debate.

After all, those who wielded absolute power had little need to argue.

That was precisely why the Presiding Bishop could not help but pause in surprise when he heard Old John’s words.

A religious debate…?

For a moment, the Presiding Bishop’s gaze grew distant as he contemplated Old John’s words.

Ever since becoming a bishop of the Eternal Church, he could hardly remember the last time he had heard such a term.

After all, whenever the Eternal Church conducted an inquisition, all it needed to do was enumerate the accused’s crimes and burn them at the stake. There was rarely any need to engage in lengthy arguments, let alone entertain the possibility of debating religious doctrine with the accused.

However, today’s case was indeed somewhat unusual.

The person standing trial was not an ordinary believer, but someone who had received the divine favor of a god.

Furthermore, he was no ordinary missionary. He was a saint of a deity possessing Higher Divine Power, belonging to a church that had grown powerful enough to challenge the Eternal Church for dominance in the world of Seiguës.

Therefore, a trial involving someone of such status undoubtedly warranted greater caution.

“Well? What do you say, Your Honor? Or is it that, as an esteemed bishop of the Eternal Church, you no longer even have the courage to debate doctrine with a lowly man like me?”

Observing the Presiding Bishop’s expression shift between uncertainty and displeasure, Old John continued speaking with a sarcastic smile.

His words were gentle and composed, yet a sharp barb lay beneath their calm exterior. His provocation was unmistakable, and he had deliberately struck at the bishop’s pride.

The Presiding Bishop’s anger flared instantly.

He glared at Old John, his eyes bloodshot with indignation.

In the end, however, reason prevailed over anger. His expression darkened as he turned around and looked toward the archbishops seated high above them, their figures clad in the solemn black robes of the Eternal church.

The Chief Archbishop of the Inquisition remained composed.

Noticing the Presiding Bishop’s gaze, he did not respond immediately. Instead, he shifted his attention toward the supreme leader of the Eternal Church, Pope Benedict II, who sat surrounded by his attendants and dignitaries.

Before long, the gazes of numerous priests and archbishops had also settled upon Benedict II, awaiting his decision.

The pope remained as unruffled as ever, showing no discernible change in his expression.

He merely let out a soft chuckle and gave a slight nod.

That was enough.

The Presiding Bishop immediately understood the Holy See’s intentions.

The Church of Life was steadily growing in power, and its influence was expanding with each passing day.

Under these circumstances, accusations and judicial proceedings alone would probably no longer suffice to win over public opinion or convince the masses of the Eternal Church’s righteousness.

To achieve the objectives of this trial, they needed to go further. Only by thoroughly defeating their opponent on both doctrinal and ideological grounds could they truly claim the moral high ground and establish a legitimate justification for their subsequent actions.

With that thought in mind, the Presiding Bishop sneered.

“What? Does a lowly commoner who has merely been fortunate enough to receive a god’s favor now wish to participate in the sacred art of religious debate?”

“Where does this talk of a lowly commoner come from?” Old John replied unhurriedly. “Does the Eternal Church believe that only lofty nobles and members of the clergy deserve to be regarded as human beings, while the rest of us ordinary people are nothing more than lowly creatures?”

His words immediately stirred a commotion among the surrounding onlookers.

The clergy of the Eternal Church grew solemn.

They understood that the religious debate had officially begun.

The Presiding Bishop furrowed his brows and let out a cold snort.

“Hmph! A heretic is a heretic! Even now, you still seek to sow discord, manipulate the people, and lead them astray!”

“But was it not you who just used the term ‘lowly commoner’?” Old John asked, shaking his head. “All I have done is take your own words and examine their implications a little more closely.”

He let out a faint, derisive laugh.

“Perhaps… this is precisely what the Eternal Church’s hypocrisy looks like.”

“Your doctrines proclaim that everyone is equal before the true gods, and that anyone who possesses sincere faith will ascend to the divine kingdom after death, where they will enjoy happiness and peace. Yet, in reality, you tell your believers not to resist, but to endure their suffering, accept whatever fate has in store for them, and submit unquestioningly to the rule of the nobility…”

“But if people cannot even secure a better life for themselves in the present, what grounds do they have for believing in happiness after death?”

“Viewed from this perspective, the Eternal Church is nothing more than an accomplice to tyranny, a tool used by the nobility to oppress the common people and preserve the rule of a decaying empire.”

His words sent a wave of shock through the crowd.

Everyone stared at Old John in a mixture of fear and astonishment. None of them had imagined that he would dare to openly ridicule the Eternal Church in such a manner.

After all, whether in this world or in other realms throughout the cosmos, it was universally accepted that the authority of the gods stood above that of kings.

Yet Old John had portrayed divine authority as nothing more than a subordinate to royal power.

This was blatant blasphemy!

The Presiding Bishop’s expression changed slightly before he erupted in anger.

“Silence! You heretic, spewing nothing but nonsense! The Holy Church is the very foundation that maintains order among humanity. How dare you blaspheme against it?!”

He took a deep breath before sneering and continuing.

“The present life and the afterlife? Hmph! How long does a mortal live in this world? And how long does eternity last?”

“The suffering of the mortal world is merely a trial bestowed upon the faithful by our Lord. As long as they possess a sincere and devout heart, they will ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven after death and attain eternal life!”

“This has nothing to do with one’s birth or social standing. Only the sincerity of one’s faith matters!”

“You simply do not understand which of the two carries greater weight!”

Old John let out a soft sigh.

“And that is precisely why I call the Eternal Church hypocritical.”

“Everyone is equal before the gods? Perhaps. But… is the equality preached by the Eternal Church truly equality?”

“Heh. You are merely using an illusory notion of ‘equality’ to conceal another form of ‘inequality.’”

“If all believers are equal in the eyes of the Eternal Lord, then why must the lowly remain lowly while the privileged remain privileged?”

“Why must nobles remain nobles for generations, while commoners remain oppressed? Is that reasonable?”

“Nobles live in their castles, indulging in extravagant luxuries and a life of drunken revelry. Meanwhile, we commoners must struggle every day to make ends meet while enduring the oppression and exploitation of the nobility. Is that reasonable?”

“The Nobles can maintain close ties with the clergy, pray in the finest chapels, and even receive blessings and baptism from ordained ministers…”

“Yet we ordinary people cannot even earn a second glance from the clergy. We can only turn to the gods for help when we have been driven to desperation. Some impoverished people fall ill but cannot even afford a physician’s fees, leaving them unable to cross the threshold of the Eternal Church. Is that reasonable?!”

“—No! Your Honor! That is not reasonable!”

“You clergy of the Eternal Church preach equality in faith and proclaim that everyone is equal before the gods, yet these are nothing more than empty words used to deceive the masses!”

“The Eternal Church is, at its core, a tool for oppressing the people!”

By the end of his speech, Old John was practically shouting his condemnation.

The murmuring among the crowd grew louder.

Some of the onlookers, evidently those who had received an education, gradually fell into deep thought.

Others looked confused, but their gazes toward the clergy of the Eternal Church had begun to change.

Seeing this, several members of the Eternal Church’s clergy furrowed their brows and cast dissatisfied glances at the Presiding Bishop.

His expression shifted as well. He quickly realized that he had been led around by his opponent, allowing Old John to dictate the course of the debate.

Every church had aspects of its doctrines that were reasonable, but every church also inevitably had flaws and loopholes.

Religious debate was, in essence, a contest in which each side sought to seize upon its opponent’s weaknesses and magnify them as much as possible.

That was why the greatest mistake one could make in such a debate was to let the opponent dictate the terms of the argument, forcing oneself to spend the entire time defending one’s own church’s doctrines.

Instead, one had to seize the initiative and expose the other side’s weaknesses.

At that moment, the Presiding Bishop quickly realized his mistake.

Alas, he had gone too long without participating in a religious debate. This time, he had committed a truly elementary blunder.

Having regained his composure, he narrowed his eyes and let out an angry snort before resuming his denunciation.

“Sophistry! Such naivety! How Absurd!”

“Where in this world is there absolute fairness?”

“Your Church of Life advocates equality among all living things. But such a belief is nothing more than pure hypocrisy, naive idealism, and laughable wishful thinking!”

“Can someone born into a great noble house possibly be the same as some lowborn with nothing?”

“Can someone who possesses supernatural powers possibly be the same as an ordinary person who can barely even read?”

“Hah! The nature of this world is inherently unequal! Forcing everyone to be equal will only create greater inequality and give rise to even more problems!”

“All things follow their own natural order. Society is no different, and neither are people! People are born unequal! Wherever there is order, there will be hierarchy! Only by maintaining that hierarchy can the stability of the world be preserved!”

“Everything the Church of Life believes in at its core creates division! Its claim that all living beings are equal is the greatest hypocrisy of all!”

“The Church of Life uses inequality as a pretext to incite its believers, mislead the masses, and sow chaos. It does all this for nothing more than its own selfish interests!”

“Equality among all living beings? Heh! Complete equality would only undermine people’s initiative and deprive them of the motivation to improve themselves!”

“You heretic and your blasphemous beliefs! That is what true, unadulterated hypocrisy looks like!”

“Only the Eternal Lord acknowledges the inequalities of this world. Only our Divine Lord respects them. And yet, the Eternal Lord treats every one of His believers with equal regard. That is what true equality means!”

After hearing the Presiding Bishop’s arguments, Old John let out another soft sigh.

“Your Honor, equality is relative, and order is its prerequisite. Only when there is order can there be equality!”

“But I ask you… has the Eternal Church truly lived up to those words?”

As he spoke, Old John’s expression grew stern. He turned toward the Presiding Bishop and challenged him directly.

“Your Honor, you claim that the Eternal Lord treats every believer equally?”

“Heh… Yet the reality I see is your Eternal Church colluding with the nobility to oppress the people!”

“You claim to respect the inequalities of this world?”

“Heh… Yet the reality I see is the Eternal Church clinging to outdated traditions and rigid doctrines, making those inequalities even worse!”

“Yes! This world is indeed inherently unequal. But in most human nations, much of that inequality stems from the oppression of the nobility! And the Eternal Church is the greatest accomplice in that oppression!”

“The Eternal Church represents only the interests of the nobility and the wealthy. It cares only about the value of supernatural beings and those who wield power. The countless impoverished commoners mean nothing to it!”

“Nobles account for less than one percent of the entire human population, while those who possess supernatural powers make up less than one-tenth of the human race. Yet you, the Eternal Church solely represents the interests of only that tiny minority!”

“We the ordinary people make up the overwhelming majority. In essence, we are the very foundation of human civilization. A church that has abandoned the masses has no right to call itself the guardian of humanity!”

Old John’s words sent another wave of commotion through the square.

The expressions of many onlookers began to change. Some nodded in quiet agreement, while others even cast openly hostile glances toward the archbishops of the Eternal Church seated on the elevated platform.

“Silence!”

The Presiding Bishop had finally lost his temper.

“What do you know?! The nobility controls knowledge, while those with supernatural powers command strength. As such, those who possess knowledge and power should naturally bear the responsibility of governing those who lack them! This… is the natural order of the world!”

“Does the Church of Life really expect ignorant people who possess neither the necessary knowledge nor the right power to govern the world?”

“That would be the height of irresponsibility!”

“Furthermore, how can the Church of Life, which advocates equality among all living beings, presume to lecture us? If the common people embraced the Church of Life’s teachings and upheld equality among all living things, other races would surely rise to prominence, and humanity would inevitably lose its position as the leading race of this era!”

“That would be the greatest nightmare imaginable for the entire human race!”

“Everyone! the Eternal Church is the church of all humanity, the faith that safeguards humanity’s eternal future. But the Church of Life ultimately is the church of another race!”

“I ask you, John the heretic, can the church of another race truly safeguard humanity’s future?”

The Presiding Bishop delivered his words with force and conviction.

The crowd began murmuring once more.

Those believers who had been wavering just moments earlier fell into thought again.

Old John, however, merely let out another soft sigh and shook his head.

“Your Honor, you know nothing of my Goddess’s doctrines, nor do you understand the ideals we, as missionaries of the Church of Life, strive toward…”

“You do not understand the true principles of the Church of Life. You do not understand what we are truly striving to achieve, and you understand even less what makes our church truly great…”

“The Eternal Church is nothing more than a stubborn obstacle in the path of history, a stumbling block that resists progress and hinders the advancement of human society.”

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