God Is A He

story by Sameer Raote

This is a story of 6th pre-millennium. Almost six thousand years prior to the common era. It is a time of the kingdoms and kings. The time when kings and their family are considered as the most important people of the kingdom. This might sound strange that I have to make it a point to mention. But it is necessary.

That is because until a few centuries ago the kings didn’t have that kind of status. In those times the kings were fighter picked to represent communities to settle disputes over land, resources, belief system, etc. Whenever there was a disagreement the kings would get in a ring and fight till death. When this practice began the kings didn’t last more than two fights. Slowly all the strong hot blooded people started to die leaving communities unrepresented.

Then a change in rules was made that the fight won’t be to death but only until one of them forfeits the challenge. This worked in favor of the kings, irrespective of if they won or lost. If a king won he would be showered with riches for winning. If a king lost then they will still be given valuable stuff so that they can train and perform better next time.

This practice continued until overtime the kings became the most powerful people of the communities. Further the position of kings was passed on from generation to generation allowing them to keep royalty within the family. These people were the superstars of that time which meant that the common folk closely monitored every aspect of their life.

One aspect to monitor and celebrate was child birth. This event was always special everywhere but it became extra special in the year PRE-5821 in Veronya kingdom due to one prophecy. Many years ago a wise sage predicted that the God, creator of all that exists, will be born as the first child of king Dishgam. Since the time people heard this prophecy they have been eagerly waiting for that moment to arrive and it is hear now.

There is a huge crowd standing at the bottom of the high castle. Just above them is an open balcony from where the king addresses the nation. People are waiting in anticipation of the good news.

“Any moment now the truth will be revealed.” says a guy standing in the crowd.

“What truth?” asks a woman next to him.

MAN: The absolute truth that our God is a man.

WOMAN: What?! That does not make sense.

MAN: It totally does.

WOMAN: The job of a God is to create life and out of two known genders which one is capable of creating life? Oh… I seem to have forgotten. Can you tell me which is the only gender capable of giving birth?

She says in a mocking tone.

MAN: A woman.

WOMAN: Exactly. Thank you for proving my point.

When the woman gives this argument rendering the man speeches, the crowd around her applauds and cheers. This is expected. People of Veronya kingdom strongly believe that the God is a woman. Which is why they refer their land as motherland.

MAN: No… wait! Stop clapping. This logic does not apply here.

The man waits for the crowd to go silent. But it seems as if he has lost that battle of words. Still he patiently waits.

MAN: I know for sure that God is a he. Actually I don’t even need to wait for the birth to prove my point. The prophecy is enough proof.

WOMAN: How is that?

MAN: Do you believe in prophecies?

He is choosing his words very carefully in order to avoid being made fun of.

WOMAN: Yes, of course. I don’t like my future being told but it’s okay when we talk with regards to the fate of our kingdom.

MAN: Do you remember the prophecy we are here for?

WOMAN: Yes, of course.

She says taking pride in remembering it.

“Our God has decided to walk the land of us mortals in form of the first child of our beloved king Dishgam.”

At this point she pauses hoping she has impressed the guy and people around him. But he shows no reaction. He seems to be expecting more but when she doesn’t say anything he repeats,

“Our God has decided to walk the land of us mortals in form of the first child of our beloved king Dishgam, to guide us, to lead us to a better future by uniting all the kingdoms on this beautiful island of ours.”

He hopes that the point he is trying to make is clear. For that reason he stresses on the words ‘lead us’. People are still confused. Seeing no reaction from them he explains.

MAN: The prophecy says that the God in mortal form will lead us. Lead us… leader… king… This means that God will take control of the entire island by being our next king and if we go by the law, any person from royal blood can be king provided they are a male. Hence, proved.

He takes a bow after giving the answer. Meanwhile rest of the crowd stand frozen in this shocking realization. Whispers start going around, “How did we miss such trivial detail?” Some people curse themselves for not realizing that, “I got gifts for our king expecting it would be a baby girl. What if I am wrong?” says a scared woman.

More the people think about it more people are getting convinced of his argument. All of a sudden people start changing sides. More and more people start believing that there is a possibility that their God is a man. While many are convinced, this woman doesn’t like the idea. She twists his statement saying,

WOMAN: So you think women are incapable of ruling a kingdom?

MAN: I never said that… actually-

WOMAN: So what did you say? You seem to clearly think that men are better than women.

He didn’t mean to offend her. All he wanted was to prove his point. Still this stubborn woman seems to want to force her belief on others. This leads to an argument, another battle of words.

The conversation goes back and forth a lot. At one point it seems that the argument is going to take a violent turn. That very instant an old woman jumps in between to settle the argument. She says,

“Please stop! We are soon about to find the truth. Just be patient. We should be happy that we have the privilege to meet our creator while we are living this mortal life. Maybe God is a she as we commonly believe and a woman can be a king. Or maybe God is a he if we are to believe the prophecy. Who knows? Maybe… maybe God is a gender-less body-less being that can take any shape or form.”

This works. The man and the woman in argument had a lot of difference in opinion but one thing they agree upon is that God can’t be a gender-less body-less being. One has to be naively stupid to believe that to be true.

The woman who stepped in didn’t care if her gender-less God theory was true all false. She wanted to settle the dispute peacefully and that she did. Further the excitement for the prophecy only grew. Not only are people excited to see the baby but also there is curiosity to know its gender after this argument.

People wait patiently until the king comes outside. Actually this takes a very long time after the child’s birth. By then the news has already leaked out in form of whispers saying that it’s a boy. In addition to this information the people are told to stay quiet until the king comes out with the announcement.

The argument is finally settled. It comes as a shock but none seemed to be disappointed. All they care is that a healthy baby is born. It is difficult for them to contain their joy. Still they wait. The moment the king, the queen and the baby step out, the crowd erupted with cheer. They don’t even wait to hear king’s announcement saying, “It’s a boy. Call him Karam Veer.”

At this point any other king would have got annoyed but Dishgam knows better. He knows that information must have leaked already. The only thing that matters to him is that he is happy and his people are happy for him.

The dispute in Veronya kingdom might have settled after seeing the living proof in form of that baby. But the truth is their belief with regards to God’s gender is far from true because as far as their world, Akari system is concerned, there is no one true God.

END

written by Sameer Raote

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