Faveon--Nitana, both you and Dano certainly are mistaken in your conclusions. Our Sacred Writings distinctly declare that Andûman[a:] is Infinite in all His attributes. That He creates and destroys as He Wills, but nowhere is it written that He modifies any creature in order to fit it to changed conditions. To my mind it savors of impiety to question the accepted interpretation given our Sacred Writings by our scarcely less Sacred Priesthood. Dano--I do not doubt but that Andûman[a:] is Infinite in all His attributes, and I do not question but that He creates in accordance with His own purposes, but I do not believe that any _one_ living creature is a special act of His creative Will, but that through His fixed purposes or Laws, which are a part of Himself, all things come into existence. If each living creature is a special act of His creative power, logically one must infer that all creatures are perfect expressions of His Will. Yet it is an indisputable fact that if animals of any species are for a prolonged period kept in darkness, their organs of vision will become modified to fit them for their environment. I cannot but think that our Priesthood misinterpret the meanings of portions of our Sacred Writings, and that they are prone to cling too closely to ancient interpretations. May Andûman[a:]'s Messengers understand that I do not desire to offer my immature ideas as infallible truths, and I pray that they may direct my ever questioning thoughts. Nitana--Ever our scientific investigations oppose themselves to the teachings of our Holy Religion, occasioning in our minds unrest and dissatisfaction with our conditions. Though our devoted Priests continually admonish us against an indulgence in profane imaginings, our truant thoughts go far astray, and we grow bewildered and afraid lest the justly offended gods may visit upon us dire punishment. Even while we strive to learn the complex meanings of life, we are shrinking from death, and crying to Andûman[a:]'s messengers to bear to Him our unceasing prayers for release from the dread God Phra (death), whose dark form overshadows all our days. Scientific research has reached a limit where boldest and most earnest minds pause uncertain and appalled. They cannot turn backward, and they dare not go forward. Oh, that Andûman[a:] may as in ancient times hearken to the prayers of His sorrowful children, and grant to them a clearer understanding of truth. Faveon--Nitana, it is not we alone whose minds are full of unrest, for alas, the people too are questioning and doubting, and none too firmly are the priesthood opposing themselves to the further advance of skepticism. I fear that we too indulge in too free thought and speech, and are becoming dreamers rather than thinkers. Dano, your example is contagious. I pray that I may not find myself also dreaming strange dreams, or yielding to baseless imaginings.