Jesus and Christ. Artur Zadikyan
will not necessarily see me.
Suddenly, Rangit appeared in his original form, then began to alternate between the characters he was, and finally took on the image of… Rutra. The audience, already quite tempted by his manners, gasped. Rutra responded to their cheers and exclamations with a clarification:
– Get used to him. Everyone here has already gotten used to it and adopted the slogan: "He is always with us, he is always with you, he is always everywhere". As you have probably already realized, Rangit is an integral part of our team and our experiment together with you. By the way, he was born here, in the secret center of scientific research, at a depth of 147 meters, in the Nordenskjöld Bay of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. So he is in his homeland, although he can be anywhere.
A wave of questioning looks passed among the audience.
– So the server that reflects us is out there? – asked one of the experts, the head of the International Institute of Globalization Problems.
– Rather than a server, it's more like a processor station," explained the I.T. guy, co-chairman of the Internet giant's board of directors.
Rutra decided not to distract the meeting with details, especially since it was classified information anyway, so tacitly emphasizing the possibility of the Sphere Concern was enough.
– So, if I may have your attention, Professor of Theology," Rutra pronounced the name of the institution in Italian, "Istituto per le Opere di Religione, Nomor Ffitnop. Let me make it clear again, you can not only listen, but also ask questions.
A man in his sixties, slightly taller than average, slender, in a white robe, gray-haired, came from backstage. For those who understood, he was a presbyter. He had an elongated face, very white, even sickly white, and a melodious voice. The latter became clear as soon as he began to speak. And he began as soon as two assistants helped him to make himself comfortable at the table.
– I greet you, my friends," the theologian began sweetly. – I suppose I have the right to address you that way," he said, looking at the audience, his head slightly raised. – I usually say my children," he smiled again. – I am concerned about the perception of such an address in our time. Many people nowadays have come to regard it very inadequately. I am thankful for the acceptance of all of us as God's creatures. Please forgive me for such a beginning. Believe me, in other audiences and on other topics I conduct dry scientific dialectics. In this case, because of the similarity of the topic, I would say, because of their intersection… – he stopped talking, rolled his eyes a little, thought about something, then added: – Let me explain my position on dialectics. I put the following meaning into dialectics. Or rather, to put the sense – it would be wrongly said. Probably, it is a definition. Judge for yourself, if we take dialectics as such… – he was silent again, – or rather, you most likely know this definition of dialectics – a method of argumentation in philosophy, as well as a form and method of reflexive theoretical thinking, which investigates the contradictions found in the conceivable content of this thinking. Speaking in earthly terms, I will allow myself to make such a joke, – the art of arguing, of reasoning. But please note that dialectics has another definition, and that is the key to my…" the theologian looked at Rutra, "a speech, perhaps," he said, receiving a mutual smile, "a lecture or a report, whoever will accept it," the theologian added, and looked intently into the hall, studying the facial expressions of his listeners. – I will apply dialectics, without reducing the degree of attention of observation, as a philosophical science of universal laws of movement and development of nature, human society and thinking. As a scientific method of cognition of eternally moving and changing phenomena of nature and society by revealing internal contradictions and struggle of opposites, leading to a leapfrog transition from one quality to another.
Ruthra tapped his fingers lightly on the table, signaling to the professor. He nodded, realizing his procrastination, exchanged a friendly smile, and began to speak.
– So, I hope you have not forgotten about the beginning," he smiled, raised the index finger of his left hand demonstratively upwards, and said instructively, "in the beginning was the word. I beg your pardon, it was a joke, in terms of my beginning, – he smiled again at the audience. – I wanted to remind you of the beginning of my dialog with you. That is what I will be emphasizing. I hope that the dialog will take place and that we will not violate the truth in the dispute," he looked at Rutra again, "everything will be within the laws, God's or the metaphysics of the universe.
Such dialog cheered up the bored audience, and laughter ran through the hall.
– Honorable gentlemen," the theologian went on, "I confess that I would have liked to debate the main subject of the Honorable Master's experiment," he pointed with a graceful gesture of the palm of his hand at Rutra, "but the Lord has called me here for another purpose. I was speaking of life," Ffitnop continued with a serious face. – If life must be different on other worlds, why is it different on Earth? Intelligent life. For all the diversity of forms, only humans have become intelligent. Though other species live longer if you look at evolution. So there's a universal rule.
– Why are there twelve apostles and only four gospels? – suddenly came from the audience.
This was the same software engineer who was known online under the nickname Hacker in Law.
– No," replied the professor, not the least bit embarrassed. – Everything is not simple there at all. And there are more Gospels, and not all those who wrote are apostles of Christ. It's not all there at all as we know it. Well, let's just say it's not exactly as we know it. Before I begin, I'm going to summarize the chapters of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This will enable you to understand the story, the narrative that most people understand.
– The majority? – came over the air, and it was a woman's voice.
– Yes," replied Ffitnop, glancing around for the coloratura soprano.
The hall was differently lit, decently darkened, so it created a magical flavor.
– There are four versions. And they all belong to the so-called Abrahamic religions," the theologian explained.
– To what? – this question came from a programmer.
He and the lady who had asked the question before were sitting next to each other, whispering about something in a very friendly way, judging by the muffled giggles. The lady had been explaining something to the man since the beginning of the meeting, often using gestures.
The presbyter did not elaborate. He looked around the room, apparently waiting for each one to reveal the subject personally. His calculation was correct.
– They are called Abrahamic after the name of their inventor," the lady began to explain to all her classmates with an expression of pleasure at the opportunity to express her understanding, glancing at Rutra and the instructor-informant.
Her friend, who was both an employee of UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, entered the conversation a little unapologetically. From what she said, the degree of awareness at the domestic level became clear.
– There was an Abram once. You know the biblical Abraham, don't you? It's the same person. He invented all these religions," she explained, looking around at her neighbors.
Hearing the muffled smirks, she clarified in a disgruntled tone:
– Well, not invented – founded, substantiated, is a founding father… is that better?
After a couple seconds of silent reaction from the audience, she summarized:
– Four, as far as I know.
Here, apparently, Nomor couldn't take it anymore.
– Mademoiselle, if I may call you so," he addressed her affectionately, stretching out his words, "and tell me, for God's sake, what are the four?
– Why are you doing this? I didn't hurt you," she said indignantly, as if they were parties in a court of law.
His opponent made a surprised expression and rounded his eyes, raising his eyebrows.
– Are you saying I don't know what I'm talking about? –