“Well…” Dexter takes a beat to think about his answer to this question, almost as if he’s flipping through a scrapbook in his own memories. “I’ve seen enough, to put it simply.”
He shakes his head. Judging from the way that he just dodged the question, he gives off the impression that its not a conversation he has any intention of continuing or elaborating on. Uncharacteristic, considering that Dexter loves speaking without thinking, but perhaps its better off not knowing all the grisly details.
“…I suppose I can understand that outcome. For many people, what this life is is what we get, and when we die, none of it matters anymore. To know that even beyond death one will be judged for their actions… its quite the amount of pressure, hmm? I’m not a man of faith myself, but I can understand how that could shape one’s actions or emotions.”
“The threat of hell, in my opinion, has a lot of emotional baggage that comes with it. Eternal bliss or eternal suffering. Well, thats only one belief system’s view, at least. Not counting such things as limbo, or purgatory, or any other reiteration of the afterlife.”
“I myself? I personally believe that once a person dies, thats it. Like a computer turning off. I… suppose that’s why I take great care with people’s deaths. Immortalizing their memory, their form. Can a person’s memory and beliefs that remain within the people they’ve met and known, the people for whom they’ve affected, not count as an afterlife itself? Its something to think about, for sure.”
Abel Lazarus “… what do you think The Story of Cain and Abel is a metaphor for?”
“Hmm. Well, for many young people learning the faith, it certainly is a good cautionary tale against wrath and raising ones hand against thy fellow man. Which is a fair teaching, and was likely its purpose. However…”
He takes a step back to think. An awkward, palpable silence fills the room.
"I’ll take a shot at it, since this conversation is- pardon me- quite fun and invigorating! Perhaps Cain and Abel represent the two sides of a person? Good and Evil, Virtue and Vice. How the bad parts of ourselves always attempt to snuff out the good. When Cain asks god, “Am I my brothers keeper?” Perhaps the implication there then, is that our bad sides will attempt to separate themselves from us, rather than accept that our good and bad are two parts of the whole."
He shrugs. “Or, perhaps, the lesson is that you should always give as much produce as you can in your sacrifices to the lord. Who can say?”
