current

Xenotheology I

by F. J. Bergmann

Xenotheology I

                         They worshipped at too many altars.

                         —Iain M. Banks, The State of the Art

When the Imperium decided that

all wars were faith-based, tolerance

was the only answer. It required

everyone to attend weekly services

at churches of every faith within

twenty miles, obeisance credited

with a gold star on their house shield.

Travel time and the duration of some

rites rapidly led to private agreements

of consolidation between previously-

warring denominations. Fidgeting

spawn, linguistic variants, incredulity,

and the interminable mandatory

question-and-answer sessions

following every liturgical observance

were instrumental in resolving

a vast number of once-irreconcilable

schisms,

              until certain individuals

figured out a way to profit from

the noble endeavor. Splinter sects

with unscrupulous agendas vied

to place tiny chapels in congested

areas, conducting their sacraments

day and night. The attendant costs

and inconvenience (bribery quickly

entered the picture) led excluded

worshippers to firebomb creeds

perceived as frank charlatanisms.

Violence soon escalated (immense

capital investments were at stake).

The mercenary swordsmen hired

from an outlying world took care

not to destroy any of the religious

edifices responsible for the swollen

augmentation of their revenues.

F.J. Bergmann frequently lives in Wisconsin, and is the shadowy entity behind fibitz.com. Although lacking in academic literary qualifications, she is kind to those so afflicted. Constellation of the Dragonfly (Plan B Press, 2008) is her third chapbook.