Intactivism and Judaism
Kyle takes personal offense to Pat's intactivism, and so Yiska makes some kind of effort to diffuse the resentment between the two.
Wrote this story because sometimes people believe being an intactivist requires being anti-Semitic, while I'm showing that this isn't necessarily the case.
Story is marked adult for profanity, as I'm unsure of whether or not the level of profanity in this story warrants the tag.
There was nothing but silence in the third hour of the car ride. Pat, Kyle, and Yiska were heading to a hotel they would be staying at for a convention. Normally, if it's just Kyle and Yiska or Pat and Yiska in the car, they can't _stop_talking, but as soon as Pat and Kyle are in the same place, it just goes dead.
"Well, at least you got rid of that tacky mullet-looking thing on your head," said Kyle.
"Kyle... Just don't," said Yiska.
Pat did not even flinch at the mention of the way he used to have his hair cut, though it did look better with all of the fur on his head just trimmed down to the same length rather than attempting to pay homage to 1980s heavy metal bands.
Yiska, attempting to start a conversation, said, "I do like your new car, Pat."
"Thanks. I always wanted a Skyline, so I just couldn't let this opportunity go."
"Doesn't it feel weird driving on the wrong side of the car, though?", asked Yiska.
"At first, yeah, but not anymore."
Kyle remained silent throughout the whole ordeal, as if giving Pat the silent treatment.
"Yeah, I don't know what's going on either," said Pat, seemingly talking to himself.
"Yiska, why did you have to put me in the same car as this schizophrenic dickwad who's so ready to take the moral high ground it comes across as offensive?"
"It's not schizophrenia, it's called breaking the fourth wall, and also, I can hear you."
"No, I'm pretty sure you're schizophrenic."
"Okay, both of you, cut it out," said Yiska. "Kyle, what's your problem with Pat? He's really not that bad."
The Zoroark pointed right at the black and gray fennec fox, saying, "Really? You don't see a problem with him?"
"Oh! Guys, don't forget to mention that for every part of a normal Zoroark that's red, Kyle's is green, and every part that's blue is red."
"Seriously? How can you call that not schizophrenia?"
"You don't hear that person narrating this whole ordeal? You don't see all those people who are reading it?"
"... Whatever. My point is, Yiska, he has a real knack for knocking my religious customs."
The inverted-color Absol facepalmed then bluntly said, "Kyle... Pat isn't singling out Judaism. He's criticized every religion."
"Yeah. The Christians are unsupportive of same-sex marriage, Islam is notoriously bad about the rights of women, and basically every religion has some degree of toxic sexphobia."
"See? You're not being singled out."
"Okay, point taken, but he still comes across as an asshole with the intactivism."
"So thinking people shouldn't control other people's bodies is being an asshole?", said Pat. "Pat," said Yiska. "You do have to acknowledge you can be kind of a dick about it."
"How so?"
"See, I get that you hate your own body so much, but the way you talk about it makes you seem like you're body shaming circumcised men."
"Yeah," said Kyle. "Plus, you're really quick to make the issue about morality. It makes it easy for you to feel justified in dismissing anyone who disagrees with you."
"Point taken, but you do have to at least understand the point regarding ethics," said Pat.
"Sure," said Kyle. "But you do act all high-and-mighty like you think you're some kind of perfect moral exemplar."
"I'm not a perfect moral exemplar. I'm moody and can easily become violent when agitated."
"Kyle, I don't think taking the high ground is Pat's goal. He's ready to admit that he's not perfectly virtuous."
"Fine, but he does have to realize how some can consider the custom to be sacred."
"I get that," said Pat. "I just don't believe anything is sacred."
"See? This is what I'm talking about! You're so irreverent!"
"Kyle," said Pat, letting out a deep sigh. "If you're that unwilling to consider my arguments, then please, feel free to tune me out. Just note that it will make you sound pretty close-minded."
"... I've tried everything," said Yiska.
"Also," said pat, who handed a bag to Kyle. "You forgot your testosterone. Here you go, now you won't become impotent."
The entire remainder of the drive continued in silence, remaining that way up until they got to the hotel. Once they arrived, all three of them simply took their bags, checked in, and went up to the room.
"I'll be at the bar if anyone needs me," said Pat.
After Pat left, Kyle sat down at the table and Yiska lied down on one of the beds.
"I don't know," said Kyle. "Maybe Pat has a point."
"Kyle, maybe Pat's activism indirectly attacks your religion, but he's not attacking you. They're different concepts."
"I guess... It just kind of feels like a personal attack."
"Which isn't his problem, now is it?"
"... I should go talk to him."
When Kyle arrived at the bar, he found Pat drinking bourbon whiskey on ice and sat down next to him.
"One pint of Blue Moon, please," said Kyle to the bartender, showing her his ID.
The bartender brought the pint of Blue Moon to Kyle, garnishing the glass with an orange slice.
"Didn't figure you'd want to see me," said Pat.
"I figured you'd already know... You have some weird hallucinations."
"Come on, Kyle, I'm not omniscient."
"Look, I just wanted to apologize. I was taking your activism personally and attempting to make it your problem."
"It's alright... You did have a point, though. I can be a dick about it."
"Yeah, well, everyone's an asshole."
"Amen to that."
"And, Pat... For what it's worth, even though I'm Jewish, if I were physically capable of having children, I wouldn't have them circumcised. Maybe I can choose religion for myself, but I shouldn't choose it for them."
"I really wish it were easier to convince others of that..."
After Pat finished his drink, he paid and got up to leave.
"I'm heading back to the room now."