Contemporary religion is a false prophet; little more than a useful tool. That’s what Soyebi believed, and he felt others needed to know that truth. That’s why he spent nights sitting in and old, abandoned church. There was no faith here. God had long since abandoned this place, and Soyebi was taking advantage of that fact.
The old church was condemned, technically. Most of the structure was technically sound, but the diocese didn’t want it torn down, for some reason or another. No one had particularly looked into it, and so it had been some years, and left forgotten. The building had been robbed of any remaining valuables long ago, though the furniture remained standing. The portraits were stained, the pulpit worn and damaged, though the confessional stood still. Those too poor to tithe to your typical church came here to pray, to confess.
One night, Soyebi sought to sate his curiosity, and entered the minister’s side of the confessional, and waited. Eventually, a poor little lost soul wandered into the patron side, and began to confess their sins, not expecting anything back.
“Forgive me, father, for I have sinned. It has been seven days since my last confession. I have been coveting my neighbor’s wife. I finally gave in and…we had sex.”
“Is that so?” Soyebi whispered low, obviously surprising the other man.
“Who’s there?” the man asked, startled.
“It is not a sin to do that which you were put on earth to do.” Soyebi whispered, ignoring the question.
“And what is that?” the man asked.
“Be fruitful, and multiply.” Soyebi said with a grin.
“But that’s amoral.” the man protested.
“Says who?” Soyebi asked. “A book written by man? Even Jesus was a man, and men are fallible. The secondhand words of men are not the infallible dogma of the Mighty One.”
“I suppose.” the man said, giving the words some thought. He got up then and left the confessional booth, pausing outside the pastor’s side. After a moment, he opened the door. Soyebi wasn’t to be found. At least, not as far as the man could see. Obfuscate kept the man well hidden to the eyes of others. The penitent ‘s eyes went wide, and he ran, the door sweating shut behind him as he fled.
Soyebi chuckled. This was going to be fun….