Here is an excerpt from a story in
‘Snippets of Life Music’. You will certainly find that the book is really a
very fine buy or it is what you have been looking for:
‘Maybe you’re right, as religion is the first product of human civilization. But it would be unfair to take politics to be religion now.’
‘However, you can’t refuse to accept the differences that exist between different religious communities.’
‘Yes, social organization differs between the different groups of believers. Also, members of a group get used to their own culture which makes it difficult for them to adjust to different approaches. But then, it doesn’t cause them to become fanatical about religion until they are provoked by politics.’
‘Then why don’t you say that religion and politics are jointly liable to ethnic tensions?’
‘Why do you limit religion only to civics? After all it also includes spiritual values and worship of God whose pursuit gives a feeling of serenity and health. Some suffer from pain, some from anxiety, some are after the money and thus problems continue to prey on the minds of all, only a devotee of God smiles in self-fulfilment.’
‘Only a devotee of God smiles,’ said the atheist, echoing his words mockingly. ‘Lastly, you could not but reveal your hypocrisy. Ha ha ha!!!’
‘You people are so negative about everything!’ retorted the priest indignantly. ‘Just fear divine retribution and learn to respect the environment. God created the world and surrounded us with beautiful things and people. All’s well with the world, brother!’
‘What does God mean – perhaps a piece of stone? Oh well, an imaginary flash of light is often referred to as divine, isn’t it? What a load of superstitious nonsense!’
Next to the priest sat a strong lad of about twenty. ‘Watch your tongue, you!’ he bellowed at the atheist.
‘So you’ll shut my mouth!’ snorted the atheist.
‘I’ll wrench your neck if you tried to disparage God like that!’
Another young man got up with a face like thunder. ‘Wrench his neck if you are brave enough to!’ he said threateningly. ‘Well, that priest has been shooting his foul gob off about his religion – first, tell him to shut up.’
‘To hell with religion,’ blustered the first boy, standing up, ‘it may be your property or his. But nobody’s going to badmouth God!’
Both the priest and the atheist were fazed by the way the two lads started to argue. They could not but stare aghast at them.
‘Mind your language, young man!’ the second boy warned. ‘Nobody would believe you value God above money?’
‘You won’t say anything stupid if you know what’s good for...!’
‘Oh, stop arguing you ...'
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