@[Rock Creek Werewolf](/user/show/10002145) If you want to make things more interesting there's also this- while this would likely scandalized the werewolves, it's well known in islamic tradition that some of the jinn were made soldiers and servants of solomon (unlike in biblical tradition he doesn't wind up screwing things up with his wives and is more a powerful sorcerer esque king. The idea of him being a spirit controller is potentially older than that however as it's mentioned in the testament of solomon, as well as alluded to in the legend of asmodeus and solomon in the babylonian Talmud and book of Tobit (if yusuf is learned enough he would likely know asomdeous by the name of sakhr- which means rock as asmodeus was captured in a stone urn. Said powers also helped him in stories like the muslim version of the story of the queen of Sheba (saba) (a powerful jinn in that story offers to steal the queens throne from Saba in yemen and bring it to jeruseleum in the time it takes solomon to get out of his chair (a usually seen as human figure (usually one of solomons scribes) manages to do it in the time it takes for him to blink), and the building of many works, likely also the first temple. Solomon is also said to have controlled the winds, possibly rode a flying carpet depending on exegetical writings, could speak to birds and ants, and used jinns and birds in his armies and soldiers, messengers and likely spies and recon units. In the muslim telling, a hoopoe bird doing recon us what sets off the story between him and the queen of saba- which takes on the tone of a diplomatic exchange and some bluffs and diplomatic mind games, as well as illusion making glass palaces, and throne thefts. Some jinns also worked in mines as laborers. It's also implied some jinns in that time may have become jewish (adhered to the torah) depending on some readings. Yousef could easily remember such stories if he knows then. The wolves would likely find such a story outrageous that a human could control a non human spirit, but yousef would likely see things differently. I do look forward to see how you navigate the various topics you've listed.

@Anon I should probably also list one last thing- intercession is generally considered acceptable by many classical medieval theoligians and in sufi circles as well, so long as one understands that the interceded has no power above the divine- even some classical views agreed on the idea that saints could produce miracles- including taymiyyah who was opossed to visiting shrines. Modern views that are more dominated by understandings such as those of Ibn Taymiyyah or Ibn al Wahhab (both of whom are very controversial and honestly the latter was a bloodthirsty zealot, the former a maverick with good points but also many terrible ones but can be understood as being so harsh due to living in very difficult times (during and after the mongol invasions) denounce the practice, but it in itself is not universally seen as bad or an issue so long as the right intent is made, something akin to a catholic view on the matter. So in truth, toddson's view is still incorrect (and seems to be an almost protestant overcorrection in thought influenced by whatever he learned of Luna- the question of if Luna has an orthodoxy is interesting to think about, and the question of how it leans politically is another), though it seems that Yousef takes to the non-intercession approach as based on his objection to Toddson's claim of who muslims pray to, which makes sense as well.

@Anon I appreciate your thoughts and your enthusiasm. I should note that the extent of my own formal theological training was dating (for two months) a theology masters student while I was in law school (Sweet Jesus, I was head-over-heels for him...). It didn't last, alas. ("It is not you, it's me..." bullshit) I doubt my own writings are going to reference as much depth of knowledge as you are hoping. But the reflections are welcome.

@[Rock Creek Werewolf](/user/show/10002145) Ah it's totally fine (truth be told I was worried I was getting too rambly). I think for me, the qualities of the jinn (and how they served solomon) in islamic tradition in light of the werewolf society would be an interesting way for yousef to figure things out, and could serve as a way to respond to hardcore Luna devotees that see non Luna oriented faiths as "human only" because for yousef he can just state that the islamic conception of God isn't a human locked thing (the jinn may be faithful as well), unlike how western christianity would possibly view it (which I strongly suspect is the human religion most wolves have been exposed to in passing) as well as feelings of wolf supremacy. The thing with him praising the moon I think is also something yousef would need to analyze theologically to ensure that he isn't accidently dealing in dual worship of luna and god as seperate entities. But that's more a semantics issue at that point, and you've kind of already addressed that in earlier chapters. But if a wolf does get pushy, yousef could easily say that while he respects Luna, his respect is for who made her as well and that is greater. Yousef could also privately believe that Luna is subordinate to god or a manifestation of God's power though that would likely be scandalous- in fact I think you had yousef float the latter idea as a reconciliation principle already. I can see yousef praising Luna akin to how saint Francis of assisi does it in the canticle of the sun. That seems to be the sentiment really. But I'm getting ahead of myself. However you seek to go on ahead, I'm sure you'll write out yousefs navigation of faith well. And I'm eager to see what happens to Mullins and the others.

@[Hypnothrill](/user/show/37386) I challenged myself to get something done in September and I managed it! The ending has changed multiple times over the last year but there is a lot of 'sexy' material that may make an appearance at some point if I can figure out how to make the transition.

@[benelliot](/user/show/909446) I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@[BobbyBlobfish](/user/show/700733) Thanks!