Chapter 15: The Joys of Interrogation

“Please sit in a raised seat and make yourself comfortable, Ashlyn Murphy. The seat adjusts in several directions. One of us will help you if you have any difficulty,” said Councilor Anayees Parnok.

She looked as though she was twenty-five. Her manner was friendly, quite unlike their previous meeting.

The chair looked like a chair in a boardroom, plush and upholstered in black leather. It sat on a slightly raised stage. Ashlyn jumped onto the stage and adjusted the seat. Her father had one much like it in his office.

“I’m ready; please go ahead.”

“Prof. Dr. Fryson Drayib will ask you a series of questions, and then I will complete the interrogation. One of my colleagues may also have some questions for you. In the end, you may make a concluding statement.”

“Thank you, Councilor; I understand what will happen.”

Fryson Drayib stood, walked around the table, and approached her chair.

Ashlyn watched him warily.

“You may close your eyes.”

“I am not happy to close my eyes. You are intruding into my space.”

“Drayib, return to your chair and ask your questions.”

“Were you a religious believer?”

“Yes, that was how I was raised.”

“Did this church of yours torture others and keep monks and nuns as slaves.”

“Many centuries ago, during a period called the dark ages, the church conducted harsh interrogations. We referred to those times as the inquisition. We did not keep monks and nuns as enslaved people. It is a voluntary service. In the current era, few wish to pursue those lifestyles.”

“Is it true your church has had problems with priests sexually abusing young people?”

“Yes, but similar issues occur elsewhere in our society. Our church is making strenuous attempts to deal with wayward priests.”

“Is your church prejudiced against women?”

“Women throughout our society are trying to establish equality. The church is not helpful. Many roles are restricted to men. The church cites the bible and remains highly conservative and resistant to change.”

“You have previously noted that the church would do a better job than the government.”

“I stated that the church was better than the government at starting wars. Religious belief lies behind many of our conflicts.”

“You have expressed the belief that the catholic church would be the best for your children.”

“I expressed that view when I did not know the origin of my belief in God. I enjoyed going to the cathedral, and I liked our priest. I had an excellent education in a catholic school, and I like many religions’ values. However, since you guys showed up, my beliefs are in turmoil.”

“Do you accept that you believe religion should be part of your life?”

“I used to believe it when I had no other frame of reference. I hope the Developmental Way will provide some of the structure and values I seek.”

“Yet the values of the Paradigm do not impress you?”

“I know little of the reasons for the actions of the Paradigm. Therefore, I cannot judge the Paradigm until I know its history and the basis of its decisions. I understand the Paradigm sees itself as an evidence-based society. I know the concept well from medicine. I expect to learn how your civilization works. I was brought up to believe in compassion for others. Therefore, I try to help those who struggle with life. I struggle to grapple with why you killed the unemployed and the poor. I always felt we did not deal with terrorists ruthlessly enough. The theocracies you decimated did not impress me. I have been unhappy our religion has evolved so slowly and will not shift its views. Beliefs can be as big an impediment as anecdotal evidence in medicine.”