Science Is Also a Religion

It was the adjacent carriage. Several technical priests from the Faithguard Army sat inside, wearing holy emblems and priests' uniforms, which was why the girl had recognized them.

But the two of them were not praying. They were merely reading quietly.

"Oh, those are people from Empire Truth. Empire Truth is indeed Castel's Church, but you say they're praying?"

"Yes, aren't they reading the Church's Holy Scripture?"

The booklets in their hands bore a large Church emblem. They were indeed Holy Scripture. No matter their status within the Faithguard Army, people often liked to flip through a few pages whenever they had free time.

Holy Scripture was something that always offered something new with every reading, with new points of knowledge constantly being added. Those who did not open it often could not even keep up with the updates.

"It is Holy Scripture, but this doesn't count as praying. It doesn't even count as a religious ritual. They're just studying. Studying..."

Nini's voice gradually sank, and she suddenly froze in place.

If Empire Truth's doctrine was technology and knowledge, then wasn't studying itself a form of prayer?

They really were reading the Holy Scripture. They really were practicing its doctrine. Everything the believers did was written in the Holy Scripture. Wasn't that a proper religious ritual?

And if reading the Holy Scripture counted as prayer, then whom were they praying to?

After hesitating for a moment, Nini opened Mind Link and pulled Theus into a private chat.

"Lord Theus, I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"If studying counts as prayer, then does science count as a religion?"

"?"

"Does opening schools count as preaching?"

"??"

"I suddenly feel that Castel's true churches aren't those towering fortresses, but schools."

"Uh, have you stopped writing reports and switched to poetry? Fine, then