How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 227: Ritual Debate (2)

"These people will prevent us from holding our ritual..."

"That’s because they know we’re much stronger than they are, don’t they?"

I turned on my phone for a moment. And checked today’s date.

December 19, 1608.

It was almost the winter solstice.

==

"Fortunately, they left a few days ago... It’s a blessing they came right before the holy day; how could we not call this impure?"

Everyone nodded as the chief spoke. Their faces were filled with relief, and their bodies trembled with anticipation.

Burning incense that elevated mood and lighting fires, they drove away the night’s cold and darkness. This winter was not as murderous as the last, so more people had gathered.

They gathered for the sacred game. Holding peach pits blackened on one side, they threw them at each other, keeping score and predicting good or bad harvests.

...They remembered the last ritual. A rioter carrying a cross had come in, destroyed everything, and left. Saying everything except the one spirit he served was an evil spirit.

However, they... couldn’t stop him.

Because they knew what was behind him.

"Here, 1 point!"

"2 points over here!"

They shouted exaggeratedly and sang songs, trying to shake off the gloomy memories of the past year. They feasted noisily and prayed for a bountiful harvest next year.

And.

Step.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps made everyone’s laughter die down.

Everyone turned their gaze from inside the hut to the outside. They saw a long shadow.

They saw ’him.’

"...I apologize for coming as an uninvited guest."

’He’ was quiet, calm. Also courteous.

He spoke the clan’s language fluently, making everyone tense.

And.

"I now understand what you all fear."

"..."

"..."

With those words, he intervened in the midst of the ritual. He quietly sat opposite the chief and the shaman.

"...You are an uninvited guest."

The chief spoke with a trembling voice, but with dignity.

"The person you sent... insulted our traditions. And you..."

Swoosh.

He looked around for a moment, then walked toward a wooden figure of some spirit. Everyone’s faces turned pale, but they couldn’t say anything.

Yes. They couldn’t do anything.

Perhaps this is what would happen if they joined their so-called ’community.’ Having family members kidnapped before their eyes, having ’idols’ destroyed before their eyes, having shamans insulted before their eyes.

Thus, their world would be denied.

And.

’He’...

Thud.

Placed flowers in front of the wooden figure.

What this meant could be understood without any explanation. While they stood with their mouths open, unable to say anything, he turned his head and said:

"I’ve come to pay respect to your ceremony."

"..."

"..."

"Would you grant me the honor?"

Everyone remained silent and simply looked at the chief. Then the chief seemed to think deeply about something.

He held out something.

A peach pit burnt on one side.

"Would you like to... throw this?"

And all night long, ’he’ and the villagers threw dice made of peach pits and counted scores.

It seemed next year would be a bountiful harvest.

==

"An angel participated in a pagan... ritual? Offered flowers to an idol?"

"Exactly as I said. I participated in their winter solstice ceremony and showed respect for their culture. Now they will no longer fear us. The Grand Council of the Iroquois Confederation has completed its deliberation and will soon join us."

"B-but, breaking the commandment is..."

"Did I worship that idol? I simply bowed and placed flowers before it. The Lord will know where my heart is directed."

The deed was already done and irreversible. I slowly spoke to those who were astonished.

"And what could I say to those whose faith was insulted and whose families were kidnapped by our missionary just recently? How empty would it sound to ask them to find true faith?"

To be honest, I didn’t think of it as a big issue. Even in Japan, there are Christians who hold ancestral rites.

Of course, it’s not a simple matter. Traditional ceremonies and faith are honestly not areas that can be clearly separated.

Even non-Christians look for Santa, but doesn’t Santa originate from Saint Nicholas, a Catholic saint? Plus, Santa appears on Christmas, Jesus’s birthday.

Each of these issues can blur the identity of a religion and weaken its authority. And if the authority of our church weakens, my authority will also be shaken.

"Still, this is right. It’s better for mission work if they welcome us as guests rather than trembling in fear when they see us."

But, whether viewed practically or morally, this is right.

At least, my values from 21st century modern society say so.

Coincidentally, the famous Matteo Ricci is alive in China at this time. He spread Catholicism while allowing ancestral rites, producing numerous results.

Conversely, when Catholicism suppressed ancestral rites, Catholics became objects of contempt and caution in China and Joseon, and dwindled away.

No one would welcome those who belittle and try to destroy their traditions as devil worship.

Thinking of a closer example made it simpler.

Has anyone developed a favorable view of Christianity after seeing news about Christians cutting the heads off statues of historical figures, destroying village guardians, and burning down Buddhist temples?

I doubt it.

Eventually, if those Mohawk people become Christians, their rituals will just remain as fun traditional games and festivals.

And if they don’t convert?

...What can we do if they refuse conversion in the first place?

Kill them as devil worshippers and drive them from their homeland?

Suppress their faith and force them to bow before the cross?

Kidnap and take away children to forcibly raise them as Christians?

That’s what happened in the original history.

"When Paul went to Athens in the Acts of the Apostles, although he was displeased seeing all the idols, he respected the citizens there. Did he destroy and insult their idols?"

"That’s..."

"He knew that if he suddenly destroyed and toppled those idols, people would be hostile to him. So he praised the citizens’ religiosity and then slowly spoke about the coming of the Lord."

"..."

"And. Look at the mansions built in England by those who claim not to worship idols. Those places are filled with statues of ancient Greek and Roman gods. Why don’t they destroy those?"

"Aren’t those for decoration, not for worship?"

"Correct. Someday, if those Mohawk people convert, they will say the same."

But that won’t happen in my community.

==

...I don’t know how many months, how many years have passed.

Richard’s sense of time dulled as he performed arduous tasks like paving roads, moving heavy rocks, and running around all day to collect lists from other citizens.

When he realized his work was finished, he was already wearing priestly vestments again, with a Bible in hand.

This time, instead of a ship, he rode a carriage across the Appalachian Mountains. He reached a land that in the distant future would be called Ohio.

And when he reached his post.

People saw him and smiled, extending their hands. Since a community trading post was already being established there, they weren’t too hostile to outsiders.

"Welcome. May the spirits of this land welcome you."

And, at those words, Richard momentarily stiffened.

He looked at the person before him. That tattoo pattern, that attire.

According to what he had learned, this person was the shaman of this land. The center of idol worship.

Richard quietly closed his eyes, and then...

"...Thank you for your hospitality."

He said with a bright smile.

Not as if meeting a devil worshipper, but as if meeting a new neighbor.