Chapter 183
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On Tuesday September 26th Eve heard some people talking on the farm. The topic this time was the re-opening of synaggauges, as well as hindu and buddhist temples in Texas. Evidently there was some renewed interest in these faiths. As they were walking home Amy and Eve saw some news cameras. A rabbi was giving a press conference. Eve wanted to listen for a bit. The rabbi thanked president Douglas for helping his congregation to re-open their temple. He said that Mason and Benteen's minions infiltrated this before, made it difficult for them to worship freeley. Eve wondered about this. She knew that christianity and islam had increased membership after 2/4. It had all seemed voluntary to her, at least in America. There had been no attempts by Mason to suppress other religions, at least not that Eve could see. Had she over-looked certain things? Or were there other reasons for this demonstration? People didn't like some of Mason's actions. They considered him a dictator. In their minds, it was somehow related to the increase in christian and islamic religious activities. Some considered practicing jewish, hindu, or buddhist rituals as somehow rebelling against Mason. It was certainy better than Maggie's followers killing people in the name of freedom. President Douglas seemed to have other motives. Israel and India were still sore at Mason for not aiding them against Pakistan. By seeming to support oppressed jews and hindus, Douglas hoped Israel and/or India would ally with the Collective States of America. After the news conference the reporters began interviewing people in the crowd. Because Eve was wearing her head scarf they asked her opinion. Eve just said she hadn't heard of anti-semetic oppression occuring back in New Jersey. When asked if jewish people should be allowed to practice Eve said "Ofcourse. Everyone has the right to freedom of religion."
After they returned home Eve worried about the interview. She wasn't very articulate, not great in front of the cameras. Yet people kept putting her footage out there. And now, she was a muslim girl who came out for religious freedom, perhaps implied that Mason oppressed other religions. Eve feared these collective reporters would use this footage. And it might be used against later.