The comparison to religious indoctrination presented itself because the way the ritual is depicted strongly reminded me of Confirmation, which has a very big, public ceremony at the end, but is preceded by a year long phase of preparation from which one could opt out at any point if you reach the conclusion that it's not for you.
Speaking as someone who has been through Confirmation, it's not that cut and dried, again largely because of family and social expectations to BE Confirmed (We didn't have a years worth of preparation, but there was some).
I am Confirmed, and still take my faith seriously, but looking back on it now, I don't think I can view it as an entirely free choice. Perhaps I should have spoken up more on the matter, but disappointing one's family is never easy.
Plus being confirmed makes no actual social or physical difference to an individual. In the context of terrigensis, it would be equivalent if being Confirmed meant I had my face tattooed blue permanently as a result of the ceremony and the entire world was Catholic. Something irreversible and distinguishing, which would make me stand out for NOT having been Confirmed.
no subject
Speaking as someone who has been through Confirmation, it's not that cut and dried, again largely because of family and social expectations to BE Confirmed (We didn't have a years worth of preparation, but there was some).
I am Confirmed, and still take my faith seriously, but looking back on it now, I don't think I can view it as an entirely free choice. Perhaps I should have spoken up more on the matter, but disappointing one's family is never easy.
Plus being confirmed makes no actual social or physical difference to an individual. In the context of terrigensis, it would be equivalent if being Confirmed meant I had my face tattooed blue permanently as a result of the ceremony and the entire world was Catholic. Something irreversible and distinguishing, which would make me stand out for NOT having been Confirmed.