A: Well, I know you read a lot of books. But I read only one book. - TopicsExpress



          

A: Well, I know you read a lot of books. But I read only one book. And thats enough for me. I hope you read it too in the coming year. It will transform you and lead you to the right path. Me: What book is that? [pretending I dont know the answer to this question and hoping for a surprise answer that might delight me.] A: Why, of course, the Bible. [The expectation was cruelly met.] Me: In English? A: Yes. Me: Which version? A: Excuse me? Me: There are estimated, unconfirmed, 900 English translations of the Bible. A: Well, the original. The King James Version. Me: OK. The King James Version is hardly the original English translation of the Bible and definitely not one book. Its a compilation of sixty-six books as you very well know as a Christian. Its an elementary Christian knowledge. Obviously, you need to read more than one book to understand these simple facts. A: Well, you know what I mean! Stop playing word game with me. One book or sixty-six books, doesnt matter. I am just asking you to read the Bible. Me: Miss, I read the Bible everyday. So far Ive finished 150 only in English translations. I am sorry I was being sarcastic, but now I am serious. Does that satisfy you? A: [She looked at me with this incomprehensible expression on her face and finally said] Sure. Even Satan believes ... That was James 2:19. My childhood favourite. And of course, if you read it in context, James is not saying it in the manner it was being used on me by her. All the more reason why she needs to read more perhaps. The whole conversation started with her presumption that I knew nothing about Christianity and never read the Bible, and after confirming my knowledge in them, ended with her swift judgement over who I was. Each of my conversations with religious people always starts with a hope that this one time it can be different and productive but almost always ends with an obvious and sour ending. Sometimes, in my secret fantasy, I entertain a very dangerous thought: instead of the Republicans and Democrats in the government, what if we had all the religious sects and denominations being represented? The Catholics, the Protestants, the Buddhists, the Muslims, and all their various branches ... then I wake up to a certain painful realisation that it is not a fantasy but an actual reality. This always reminds me of one verse in Revelation. And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. Revelation 16:13 says that. Perhaps we need to reinterpret all the symbols in Revelation. Perhaps I need to visit Patmos before the Spring comes. O, what the hell am I talking about ...
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 11:50:59 +0000

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