Oxbowl Incident: A Case for Jesus Christ Through Scientific Inquiry

By Taylor Samuel Lyen

In the Land of Ox, Clayton Thomas Moore is a righteous follower of Christ, but he is also a student of evolutionary biology. Moore has found a way to mix science and Christianityand in the process, bring enlightenment to both sides of the spectrum. However, in the Land of Ox, there is a strong divide between science and religion. Because of this divide, Moore is brought up on charges.

Moore must appear before the Oxian Supreme Court and answer for his actions. He is guilty of unsettling the faith-science split, threatening the cultural equilibrium in the Land of Ox. As Moore prepares to defend his case before the Oxian Supreme Court justices, though, it becomes apparent that the Supreme Court justices are deeply divided along lines of religious belief.

Oxbowl Incident is a religious courtroom drama that argues for the validity of science and religion. Although the case of Moore vs. Oxbowl is fictitious, the farce is not far from the truth, as modern society wrestles with similar quandaries. Will the Oxian Supreme Court hand down punishment upon Clayton Thomas Moore? Or will the varied beliefs of the Oxian justices leaveMoore to be the last man standing in this battle of Christian faith?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450261494

Taylor Samuel Lyen

TAYLOR SAMUEL LYEN has extensively hiked and researched the Northern California Sierra Buttes and surrounding areas over the past twenty-five years. The terrain is rugged and is the perfect setting for the skullduggery and mysterious happenings that took place in Abbeville.

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Dedication

Peter Emanuel Livanos Jr. Esq.

An honorable, forthright, gentleman and friend

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Sara Jones

Opening Argument: Assumptions

REASSESSING CHURCH DOCTRINES

THEOLOGY

SCIENCE

SUMMATION

EPILOGUE

APPENDICIES

Acknowledgments

Front Cover Photo of the Pacific Ocean off the Hawaiian Islands and the back cover of the art work at L’Aquàrium, Barcelona, Spain photographed by Michael Taylor Lyen.

Family members are our first and most influential teachers. In writing this book, I am especially grateful for the contributions made by members of my family: My wife Marie, my son Michael and his partner Ben and their children Zero and Nena, Kim and her husband Jason, my grandchildren Megan and Austin.

Throughout life, we are fortunate to meet enlightened people who have given freely to us of their gifts. Through dialogue, which sometimes slipped into passionate debate, my life is enriched and my understandings sharpened, as the Book of Proverbs reveals to us: iron sharpens iron. The following are individuals that have graced my life, shaped my thinking, and, in turn, have influenced my writing. Arlene Landau, Bob and Kathy Knoll, Bedros Afeyan, Beth Baker, Bob Reinhart, Bruce McGregor, Carla Lockwood, David Heath, Dean Gossett, Dennis Maurice, Don Ruffner, Dr. Francis Ebert, Dr. John Robinson, Dr. Lynn Robello, Dr. Marvin Smith, Dr. Sheila Pearlman, Dr. William Schriner, Effie Kontonickas, George Rich Richmond, Father Greg Heidenblut, Father Michael, Father Patrick Duffy, Glenna Kenitzer, Greg and Linda Mickle, Jerry Guerino, Joanne Gunson, Jack McKay, Jeanette Price, Jim The Jolly Lama Murphy, John Bruce, Jose Miliett, Judith Guerino, Kay Schwindt, Ken Backlund, Lou Zevanov, Louis Rodrigues Swami, Lynn Willis, Mark Otto, Mitzi Gadd, Margaret Nongauza, Michelle Biggs, Monsignor O’Donnell, Peter Hansen, Philip Chao, Robin Olivier, Ruth Reeves, Shirley Wells, Sisters of the Holy Names: Sister Dorthea Mary, Sister Rosetta Mary, and Sister Steven Mary, Stephanie Biggs, Robert Carter, and YMCA Directors Wayne Cockrell and Gus McKinnon.

Recognition of those having significantly influenced my thinking in the writing of this book would not be complete without especially thanking all the teachers and colleagues in the weekly Creekside Community Church’s Bible study groups and classmates at Lehrhaus Judaica, where all are encourage to question and openly discuss Scripture and diversity of thought is welcomed. In the same fashion, I would recognize the humanists, atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers that have influenced my live over the years, starting with my father and continuing through my associations through the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union. The nonreligious in America are reforming and beginning to reassert themselves in politics and influencing thought in these United States in ways not seen since the founding of our great nation. Atheists’ coming out of their closets was one of major themes at the Thirtieth Annual Freedom of Religion Foundation Conference held in Madison, Wisconsin. Putting in unmistakable terms, Christopher Hitchens quipped, It used to be when people thought of atheists, they thought of Madalyn Murray O’Hair, who was sort of a crackpot. ... Now you see people of real intellectual authority and education. (Susan Lampert Smith, Hitchens is charming, despite his opinions, Wisconsin State Journal, Sunday October 14, 2007, p. D 10.)

I am especially thankful for the counsel on doctrine and generous sharing of time of John Bruce, Pastor of Creekside Community Church, Ahmas Overton, Pastor of Hayward First Presbyterian Church/Retired, Dr. Jehon Grist, teacher/administrator of Lehrhaus Judaica, Father Gregory Heidenblut, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Matthew Guerino, Teaching Pastor, Harvest Community Church, Beaverton Oregon, and Reverend Father Michael Prevas, Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church and for discussing matters of Judaic-Christian doctrine and church history with me and clarifying the meaning Scriptural passages and words written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin.

Praise and thanks to Jesus Christ in hope this work will be pleasing to God.

Sara Jones

Clayton Thomas Moore sprinkles the last of the plaster of Paris over Sara’s organs and tightly sews her chest flaps to prevent seepage. He powders her chest, sweetening the morgue room air. Covering her lower body and breasts with a sheet, Clayton meticulously restores the structure of Sara’s face to the way it was before she lost her battle with cancer. Wax, injection needles and formalin, cosmetics and brushes, his fingers and imagination are the tools of his craft by which he devotedly arrests death to preserve one final resplendent memory for the hearts and minds of the deceased’s family, friends, and the public. He steps back to sense the fruits of his artistry - the exquisite form of Sara’s face.

Clay, are you ready for us? Clayton smiles and nods, Sara’s all yours, ladies. The ladies wash, dry, and condition Sara’s hair. Clayton oversees their every move. They brush and comb Sara’s hair in place, according to cherished pictures of Sara given by her mother. This time, however, the ladies will not cosmetically touch Sara’s face, neck and hands. This time, only Clayton’s hands will bring the glow of life back to Sara. How’s that, Mr. Moore? one of the ladies asks. Very well done, as usual, Ladies. The women leave the room; their voices are heard echoing in the hall as the head out for lunch.

Satisfied, Clayton rolls Sara on her side, laying a half-folded sheet under the length of her body. He tucks the top half of the sheet between the margin of her body and the embalming table. Sara is then rolled back on her other side allowing the top half of the sheet to be pulled from beneath her body. At last, she is allowed to lie on her back, resting on the sheet-covered embalming table. Maynard, another embalmer, enters the morgue room. The two men smile and nod their greetings. They dress Sara in the clothes she picked for her funeral. After Sara is appropriately dressed and primped, Clayton walks down the hall to the casket room and wheels the fine metal casket selected by Sara’s father back to the morgue room. Maynard guides the foot end of the casket parallel to the embalming table. He moves to the embalming table and takes hold of the sheet under Sara’s feet. Clay takes hold of the sheet under Sara’s head. At the right moment, Sara is hoisted into the casket.

Every care is taken to position the body just high enough for Sara to be clearly seen at a distance. To properly position Sara in her coffin, they reach under Sara’s satin bed, grabbing handfuls of straw to lower her shoulders and raise her hips. Clayton embraces Sara lifting her body off the satin, while fluffing up the straw underneath her. Clayton gently lays her down. He pushes her hips and legs down into the straw. Sara must look natural and comfortable, a sleeping beauty. With the body positioned correctly in the casket, Sara’s dress is straightened out and fitted properly. Satisfied, they close the bottom half of the coffin and leave the morgue room. Maynard wheels Sara in her coffin to the front of the main chapel, where she waits for Clayton’s return.

After taking his afternoon walk, which always renews his senses and spirit, Clayton comes back to the funeral home, picks up his makeup case, and walks to the main chapel. He stands for a moment in the hall before opening wide ornate double doors and taking in his first view of Sara. He opens the doors quickly, Clayton moves unhurriedly toward the casket, absorbing, evaluating the sight and feel of the environment. He especially concentrates on Sara’s profile from every angle. Fairly good for the first grand impression, he thinks, ...except the casket is a bit askew and the lighting casts unflattering shadows on Sara’s neck and hands. These details will be settled in due time, Clayton muses. He places his makeup case on the kneeler, opens it and takes a towel out, places it on Sara, then sets his cosmetics, brushes, applicators and makeup tools on the towel. Clayton adjusts the lighting, and folds Sara’s hands in a graceful position. Sweeping her hair aside, Sara’s face shows every tiny blemish under the bright lights. Her youth makes his work easier, however. After applying eye cream, he uses a concealer a shade lighter than the foundation he intends to apply. The foundation matches her skin tone exactly. He moves to Sara’s eyebrows next. Clay masterfully uses powdered eyebrow shadow instead of pencil, which he knows will look unnatural. He deftly works in three colors of eye shadow applies eyeliner with a thin brush all the way across the upper lid, as close as he can to the lashes, then applies a brown mascara to complement Sara’s fair complexion. Clayton brings the blush of Sara’s cheeks and color of her lips to perfection.

Next, he treats Sara’s neck and hands with the same cosmetic care and detail he gave to her radiant face. So engrossed in his artistry, the two and a half hours Clayton spent making-up Sara passes in a dreamlike instant. Finished, Clayton steps back from the casket and views with the loving and critical eye of a parent this young woman, whom he has known from childhood. He adjusts the lighting for the final time and, once more, surveys Sara, set like a jewel in her powder-blue metal casket. The Star of Africa couldn’t be displayed more beautifully, he thought before turning off the lights.

Returning to his office at the back of the mortuary, Clayton is void of emotion; he seems to have left all of his feeling in the casket with Sara. He tosses his cosmetic bag in his closet; exhausted, he plops in his chair. Clayton wakes up in darkness. He flips on the desk lamp and checks his watch. It’s past bedtime for his wife and kids; but, he knows his darling Jeanette will understand and a phone call home is unnecessary.

The ride home flies by, as millions of details needing attention for the following day flow through Clayton’s mind like a babbling brook. It’s 11:00 p.m. by the time he slides into bed. He kisses Jeanette good night, knowing she’s not going to wake; and he will be gone before she wakes in the morning. Tomorrow will be a busy day.

Although Sara’s service isn’t until 10:00 a.m., by sunrise hundreds of flower stands and wreaths have arrived for the funeral and must be exactly placed to venerate Sara and honor the importance of the givers. Clayton is on the job by 6:00 a.m., attending to every detail. By 8:00 a.m. Clayton has arranged all the flowers. Draping a blanket of white roses over the powder-blue casket is the final touch. The visitors’ first glimpse of Sara must be breathtaking; assuring the viewer that Sara is indeed in a better place. He steps to the side room where the family will enter the chapel. Sara lies like an innocent child of God in a sea of flowers.

The family arrives at 8:30 a.m. Clayton warmly greets members and escorts them to the family room where they spend private time with Sara. He excuses himself to orchestrate the movements of thousands of sympathizers gathering to attend Sara’s funeral. The main chapel holds seven hundred mourners; and crowd expectations exceed two thousand mourners and curious. Those that cannot be seated inside the mortuary will be seated outside where loudspeakers will transmit the funeral services. It’s 9:00 a.m. and all of the main chapel seating is filled. Clayton centers himself before the casket and welcomes those seated inside the funeral home. He tactfully announces the family’s request that the graveside services and family gathering after the funeral be restricted to Sara’s immediate family and friends, an announcement he will make several times before the funeral ends.

The funeral starts promptly at 10:00 a.m. with Cardinal Timothy Jerome greeting Sara’s family, friends, and admirers. The media is allowed to attend the service, but are not allowed to photograph or film the celebration of Sara’s life. Throughout the hour Sara’s friends and family, teachers and dignitaries eulogize Sara’s short, but meaningful life, remembering the countless beautiful ways Sara touched them. After the final procession, the mourners quietly leave the chapel. Clayton silently closes the chapel doors, allowing the family their last moments with Sara before the burial services.

The graveside services turn morose in stark contrast to the celebration of Sara’s life at the funeral. The deep wounds of the family erupt in wailing, crying, and cursing God for the loss of their beloved Sara. Cardinal Jerome is visibly caught off guard by the sullen show of family emotions. Even so, the Cardinal opens with a reading from Job. Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD! Needless to say, it wasn’t a crowd pleaser.

Clayton is the last to arrive at the family gathering; he greets Cardinal Jerome, who is the first to leave the gathering. Sara’s father warmly embraces Clayton when he arrives.

Clayton, we have you to thank for making Sara’s last appearance on earth a cherished memory. You’ve helped us see God’s hand in Sara’s departing.

Sara is a beautiful child of God, Sam; her radiance flows from God.

True Clay, still, we thank you for your loving hand with our daughter.

I loved Sara too, Sam; she is a precious child.

Thank you Clay. I suppose you and Jeanette will be joining us at the cabin this summer?

Clay and Sam find it hard to talk about Sara’s passing; all that could have been said has been said. Only deep unspeakable grief remains. Their conversation devolves into the trivial, one way one tries to normalize life after the shock of losing so precious a jewel.

Absolutely, Sam, absolutely. I just hope the trout are biting like they did last year.

"They haven’t disappointed us yet, have they?

No they haven’t, Sam, no they haven’t.

Both men laughed and drifted in conversation with others at the family table. Clayton decides to mingle with the crowd, greet friends, and exchange pleasantries.

Crystal, Crystal Light, why I haven’t seen you in years!

Why Clayton, Dear, you look wonderful. I’ve committed myself to God in the most wonderful way. I’m a Charismata and love the Lord with all my heart, mind, and soul.

Ah, that explains why you are seldom seen in public. You have always been a true seeker of truth. I’m happy for you.

Yes, Clayton, I was a truth seeker, but I found mere truth seeking most hollow, as God speaks directly to me through His Word. All these other beliefs, these sad philosophies, vain babblings fall away next to God’s Words – Praise God!

Yes Crystal, indeed God is praised.

Clayton, I’ve noticed your work takes you to every place of worship in town, but you have yet to chose a religion. Why is that?

Doctrines and protocols, Crystal... man-made rules complicate the simple message Jesus delivered.

Clayton, Dear, do you mean you’re only comfortable in places where there are no church doctrines and religious protocols to follow?

I’ve never thought of it in quite that way, but you have pretty well summed it up the way I feel.

Clay, do you believe Jesus’ teachings?

Of course, Crystal, I try to follow the life and teachings of Jesus.

Really? But, God doesn’t speak to you directly like God speaks to those in the Charismata Church of God?

Not yet, but it’s clear to me that sufficient evidence points to the existence of some higher power, far beyond my understanding. My personal experience leads me to believe in God, and the life and teachings of Jesus makes immanent sense to me.

Really...? Do you have to find evidence that God exists, Clay? Do you really have to test the promises of Jesus?

Yes, it’s important for me to test God’s promises. Testing God’s word and seeing how well Jesus’ teachings stand up to scientific scrutiny works for me, Crystal.

Really Clay, I don’t believe you need to test God’s words to be sure God is God...

Musing on each other’s words, Crystal and Clayton appear locked in the moment. Obviously there was nothing more to say on the topic; and Clay searches to find another topic of conversation. Then, gazing over Crystal’s shoulder, he sees Oxbowl’s former mayor working his way across the room towards them. Saved in the nick of time.

Crystal, I think I see someone you would love to meet.

I do declare, Clayton Moore, if I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were trying to change the subject, Darling!

Clayton, how you doing’ buddy?

Great Mr. Mayor; just fine.

How are Jeanette and the kids?

They’re doing just fine, Bill; Crystal, do you know Bill Maxwell?

I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Oxbowl’s Mayor, Clay.

Mayor Bill is one of Oxbowl’s outstanding attorneys.

Oh, delighted, to meet you; how do you do, Mr. Mayor?

Clay leaves the two in rapt conversation and continues to socialize with the fine people of Oxbowl. After a couple of hours talking with Oxbowl’s finest townspeople, Clay hugs his dear friend Sam and Sam’s wife, and heads for home for dinner and time with the family. He arrives home around seven o’clock in the evening. It’s been a long day.

Hi, everybody, Daddy’s home. There’s my little girl.

Daddy, did you buy something for me? asks Monica.

"Not today, Honey. Remember I brought home those chocolate chip cookies you wanted from Mother Smith’s Bakery?

That was yesterday, Daddy; what about today?

Monica, do you have any idea what delayed gratification means?

No, I don’t.

Jeffrey, how did school go today?

I saw you on television today, Dad.

How did I look, Jeffery?

Grim as usual, Dad.

Thank you very much, Son.

You looked just fine, Clay - the dashing young man I married.

Jeanette, you are the light of my life, the wind under my wings...

Alright Clay, you’re not running for office now.

Such a realist in wife’s clothing. What’s for dinner?

Roast lamb, your favorite.

I feel like a little roast lamb, Honey.

You look like one too, Dear.


They both laugh, as Clay sits at the dinner table, opening the evening newspaper, as is his habit.

My Stars, Jeanette! Talk about a little roasted lamb; look at tonight’s headlines.

Jeanette takes the paper and reads the front-page banner headlines of the Atlantis Herald.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS FILE SUIT AGAINST CLAYTON MOORE!

Clayton what in the Land of Ox did you do now?

All Citizens in the Land of Ox know their personal views about God, gods, or no God, and gods are constitutionally protected. So, it’s difficult to understand why Clayton is sued and hammered so hard in the Oxian Courts for three years. Nevertheless, Clayton is in the fight of his life defending himself before the Oxian Supreme Court! (See Appendix for information on the Land of Ox, Its Location, Constitution and Judicial History).

Opening Argument: Assumptions

That nothing walks with aimless feet; that not one life shall be destroy’d, Or cast as rubbish to the void, when God hath made the pile complete....

Lord Alfred Tennyson, In Memoriam (1849)

Bailiff: "All rise. Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The Supreme Court of the Land of Ox is in session, Mr. Chief Justice Joseph Russell presiding. You may be seated."

Sheriff Sergeant George Codington is a young looking, strapping, red-head man who has served in Chief Justice Russell’s Court for five years. Bailiff George continues.

"Before beginning oral argument I am instructed by the Court to review the Court’s procedures and rules of conduct.

First these proceedings are informal, a conversation where Justices may express ideas and ask questions at any time.

Second the Court will not allow its proceedings to be disrupted by the unruly behavior of those present in this courtroom. Those of you in the Peanut Gallery are cautioned not to throw peanuts during these proceedings. The Court cannot emphasize enough the tragic story about how Chief Justice One-Eye Jackson’s eye was put out by peanut thrown in angst during Xon-Moebile v. Mr. Berry Littleguy. Thank goodness. Old One-Eye went on to serve a distinguished career on the bench, although he was never quite the same. Should a peanut fly, the Chief Justice will direct me to find the guilty party and have his or her bag of peanuts taken away."

Those seated in the Peanut Gallery nod affirmatively. Bailiff George bows his head to the Chief Justice and moves to his desk.

Slowly stroking his grizzled beard, Chief Justice Joseph Russell, a gentle-looking black man, soft spoken, polite and slow to anger silently surveys the defendant and the Peanut Gallery.

Russell is a man of imposing height, a tower among the edifices sitting on the bench. His presence dominates the courtroom and commands the respect and awe given to majestic mountains in the wilderness.

When every eye is focused on the Chief Justice, he begins.

Mr. Chief Justice Joseph Russell: "Thank you Mr. Bailiff, Joseph says pausing and still stroking his beard, the Court is pleased to have studied Petitioner Clayton Moore’s written arguments, which challenge the facts and matters of law raised in Moore v. Oxbowl State Supreme Court. The Court has taken two years to review Mr. Moore’s legal, theological and scientific arguments before granting these three days of oral argument. We warmly welcome Mr. Moore to these proceedings and are eager to enter into dialogue on his assertions and arguments."

Clayton stands and nods thank you to the Court for the opportunities to argue his case and sits down. Chief Justice Russell continues.

Citizens of the Peanut Gallery, you can now pull down the text screens on your computers to view the Petitioner’s written arguments and the transcript of these proceedings.

In addition to the individual viewing screens in the Peanut Gallery, all Supreme Court cases are publicly shown on screens located in parks and stores throughout the Land of Ox, as well as on a large viewing screen located above the Justices.

ASSUMPTION 1

ONE SOVEREIGN GOD

Mr. Chief Justice Joseph Russell: "Mrs. Associate Justice Christina Evangelina will begin the Court’s questioning."

Christina straightens her posture and looks straight into the camera with the sharp eyes of a hawk before addressing Clayton Moore’s first assumption.

Mrs. Associate Justice Christina Evangelina: "Thank You Mr. Chief Justice. Citizens of the Land of Ox, members of the Peanut Gallery, Brethren of the Court, Mr. Moore, as you know, I am a Christilogos and a humble member of the Christilogos Church that was established before the founding of this Great Land of Ox. Over 2.1 million Oxian Citizens hold my beliefs. Simply stated for Mr. Moore’s benefit, Christilogos believe in three persons in One God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. We believe those who are open to the words of God and believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, will find favor in the eyes of God the Father and will go to heaven. Those who refuse to listen to the Holy Ghost by not believing in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in hell."

Clayton is a fish out of water. He has made it a life-long practice to avoided head on confrontation about his personal religious views because he respects the beliefs of others.

In the land of Ox there is no separation of church and state. Christina Evangelina’s declaration of faith is not only appropriate but is expected of every Justice in the interests of Oxian fairness. It is no secret that Justice Evangelina is an honored graduate of Evington University Law School, which is the foremost Christilogos University in the Land of Ox. She is a Christilogos Priestess. Her private practice specializes in human birth, death and injury issues. As the former chief counsel of the American Citadel for Justice and the Family Religion, Values and Rights Council, Christina is recognized as a staunch pro-life advocate. Considered a strict constructionist of constitutional issues, Evangelina fearlessly supports public funding for Christilogos schools, Christilogos faith-based and church-related charities serving the community. At forty-six years of age Evangeline has accomplished much in her fields of law and religion and will continue to influence the Oxian Supreme Court’s decisions for many years to come. She is a fierce defender of her faith.

Clayton cannot hide behind the soft shield of tolerance he employs in the mortuary business. He cannot sympathize and reach out to Justice Evangelina as he does with those mourning the loss of a loved one. Clayton’s stomach tightens. The stench of the upcoming battle makes him want to vomit.

Evangelina: "Mr. Moore you call yourself a Christian?"

Before answering Clayton breathes deeply and exhales slowly in an attempt to extinguish what he hopes are merely butterflies in his gut.

Moore: "I am a follower of Jesus. I study the supposed words of Jesus and strive to live by them. If others call me a Christian, I have no objection, however."

Evangelina: "The supposed Words of Jesus? What are you saying? Jesus’ Words are Words from God. There are no suppositions!"

Evangelina swoops down hard on Clayton, a raptor with sharp talons aiming at her prey. Justice Evangelina is a woman of contradictions. Confident in her theology, she is always on the moral high ground. With scary intelligence she ruthlessly rips away at arguments, which affront her strict moral senses. On the other hand, her justice’s robes cannot hide her wonderfully developed body, about which she makes no pretense. Hanging blunt shoulder length stylishly thick blond hair falls along side her beautiful face. She appears to be a paragon of virtue and pagan temple priestess rolled into one, a picture of fire and ice.

Clayton swallows hard before answering.

Moore: "Although we work from the same Scriptures we have different prisms through which we understand the Scriptures."

Placing his finger to his mouth in a contemplative move, he hopes his voice will not betray the glitters he’s experiencing.

I use the word supposed because Jesus did not give a first hand written account of his journey and purposes. All we know about Jesus is from accounts given by his followers written thirty years after Jesus died with no independent verification that these writers views are accurate. Having said that, I believe in the truth I find in the words Jesus reportedly said.

Justice Evangelina is relentless.

Evangelina: "Verification! God himself verified Jesus at the river Jordan! What more of a verification do you want?"

Russell: "Gentlepeople if we expect to end these oral arguments in the three days allotted by this Court we need the discussion back on track."

The Chief Justices words of caution give Clayton heart. He interprets the Chief Justice’s comments to be an indication of fairness in the proceedings. Clayton can live with that.

A little more mollified Justice Evangelina continues.

Evangelina: "Very well Mr. Moore, as a follower of Jesus Christ, you believe God created good and Satan brought evil to earth, tempting humans who willingly and of their own accord committed evil acts that displeased God."

Moore: According to the Scripture quoted above, in my first argument, there is One Lord God that makes peace and created good and evil. Satan was a mere instrument in the hands of God by which evil deeds were introduced on earth.

Evangelina: So good is good, and evil is good? Your assertion does violence to the Holy Text. Your opinion is contradictory to Christilogos doctrines, which clearly hold God is completely good and abhors evil. Mr. Moore, where did you ever get the idea that God created evil?

Moore: In the unambiguous language of Isaiah God Jehovah makes it clear to King Cyrus, Jacob and Israel that Jehovah and none else is the true God. It makes eminent sense to me that God, being the absolute and sole Creator of all that exists, in truth created everything, including evil. This is why I choose, as my first assumption, the principle that One Sovereign God created everything.

Evangelina: Mr. Moore, according to my beliefs, the hand basket to hell leaves from your front door. Your arguments are twisted and illogical misinterpretations of Scripture.

According to The Bible I hold in my hand, your beliefs are utter nonsense. Your version of history would have us believe God somehow created the events that led to the dropping of the first atomic bombs on Japan that ended Earth’s World War II? Your beliefs suggest that God gassed and murdered the Jews in Auschwitz, during the Second Earth War? You dare say that God snuffed-out the lives of men, women and innocent children in the catastrophic eruption of the Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, caused the deaths of thousands of Americans in the Muslim attack on New York of September 11th of 2001, drowned 229,000 people in the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and tsunami of 2004 and ended the lives of upwards of two thousand people in the deadly wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005?

Have you been doping with that hookah-smoking caterpillar again? Your beliefs are sad, Mr. Moore. More to the point, I believe you and your beliefs are dangerous and threaten the moral fiber, peace and security of the people of the Land of Ox, which this Court is duty-bound to protect.

Moore: I see you feel strongly. I believe reasonable, God-loving people will honestly disagree on many issues. If we in fact knew the ultimate truth we wouldn’t have so many different religions, Christian denominations, church doctrines and individual beliefs.

Russell: "Mr. Moore could you respond more directly to Justice Evangelina’s statement?"

Clayton begins to doubt himself again. He is off to a shaky start.

Moore: "Of course Mr. Chief Justice. As incredible as it seems, the writers of Scripture do tell us that God created everything and set the whole of creation in motion to this very day. When God created humans with the will to choose whether to follow God or not, God knew the horrible destruction and death of humans and animals that would come about. Moreover many Bible stories attest to such horrifying events being directly caused by the hand of God. God drowned all of the earthly world’s population, except for Noah, his family and pairs of all types of animals. God destroyed cities by fire and directly commanded the armies of Israel to slaughter men, women, innocent children and animals. I do not pretend to completely understand why the God written about in the Old Testament permitted such human horror at Auschwitz, Pompeii or through natural disasters.

It is hardly illogical, twisted or unreasonable to quote the view of the writers of the Bible that God did create evil. Whether taken literally or allegorically, the writer of the Book of Isaiah clearly writes that God created everything, including evil."

Evangelina: "If humans are supposed to imitate God’s Love and God’s Love created evil, won’t it be natural for us to do and follow evil! If this were so, all earth’s societies and Ox civilizations are threatened."

Evangelina gives no quarter. Clayton picks up the gauntlet and decides to way into battle of his life, and in doing so his butterflies begin to vanish.

Moore: Can we understand the fullness of God? Do we strive to become God? How can we match Almighty God? No, our job is not to be God; our job is to follow God’s plan for our lives, as Jesus revealed to us. Only God knows why evil was created – we don’t. What we do understand is Scripture tells us to flee from evil. Christ teaches us to do good, not evil. Consequently, the message I get is I am to flee evil and do good, which I believe is the lesson God is teaching us through the words of Isaiah.

All the horrors you cite, seem to me to be moral lessons about the terrible consequences when humans choose to do evil.

Human history tells us that dropping of the first atomic bombs on Japan was not necessary, but was done to save United States and Allied lives. The lesson is war is an evil act; avoid it. Gassing and murdering the Jews in Auschwitz was clearly the result of evil acts committed by the wartime policies of Nazi Germany. The moral lesson is absolute power corrupts absolutely. The snuffed-out lives of men, women, and innocent children in the catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD resulted from the building a city at the base of an active volcano. What were they thinking? The drowning of 229,000 people in the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and tsunami of 2004 resulted from not addressing the needs of the poor, who can only afford to build huts and live in the low lands. The drowning of 2000 people in the deadly 2005 Hurricane Katrina can be traced to the poor decision not to rebuild the City of New Orleans to mitigate the known dangers hurricanes threaten against the poor and the elderly. Again, the death and destruction was caused by greed and disregard for the most vulnerable in society.

Evangelina: Really... Mr. Moore. You can’t escape your own argument that God created it all.

Moore: I’m not trying to escape my assumption that God created everything. I am stating what I believe God’s purpose was in allowing humans to make poor moral choices. Clearly, in my way of thinking, the moral lesson is religions and governments are formed to protect the societies’ unfortunates, not throw them to the wolves. This was the essence of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

Mr. Associate Justice Iam Sertaine: "I don’t believe you have changed Justice Evangelina’s mind; and she believes in the same mythical God as you! If you can’t convince your fellow Christians, how do you expect to convince the Court your arguments are valid?

Your unfounded assertion that this myth of a God somehow created and controls of everything is a risible proposition. Through blind faith or some other fancy, you think your God exists and, as you know, here is where we part company. You have no more proof that God or any supernatural being determines what goes on in this universe than you have proof that the tooth fairy determines how many bits are found under your pillow. What objective, scientific proof do you have of God?"

Justice Iam Sertaine is a graduate of Selman College and New Yolk College Law School. He worked as an investigative journalist and was in private legal practice, representing the Ox Bowl Freedom Union, Oxford Rationalist Society, and the Golden Ox Freethinkers of the Land of Ox. He is a former president of the Itheist Movement. He is considered a Constitutional broad constructionist on civil liberty issues, but a strict constructionist on separation of church and state. At forty-eight years of age, one can expect him to influence Supreme Court thinking for a long while.

Moore: "Jesus Christ and the principles Jesus taught are not instances of blind faith; on the contrary, the principles Jesus taught are indeed tangible and independently verifiable. The faith I have is the same faith a scientist places in his or her hypothesis, theory or law about how the physical universe operates or how life forms behave and change as they do. My leaps of faith are based on empirical evidence."

Sertaine: "Mr. Moore, I asked you a question about your blind faith belief in God, which is void of scientific proof; and you talk about Jesus Christ? You tried to evade Justice Evangelina’s question and, now, you’re avoiding my question, which represents the views of seven hundred thousand free thinkers Mr. Moore."

Associate Justice Sertaine’s question and comment, siding with his religious opposition, stuns the Peanut Gallery and Clayton. For those keeping score of this boxing match, two of the five judges, who usually vote in opposite directions are in accord on this point.

Sertaine, a rather portly man, rolls into his soft backed justice’s chair waiting for Clayton to get up from the punches he throws, the smirk of a victor on his face. A hedonist and atheist of the first order, Sertaine does not suffer well middle-of-the-road, live-and-let live types anymore that the mawkishly entrenched Christian, Evangelina.

Moore thinks: Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant. The atheist is siding with the theist. I’m in trouble. But it’s time to play offense with this justice. He’s an intellectual let him chew on this for a while.

Moore: "I have answered your question. Maybe the confusion comes about because the arguments I present are two-pronged: theological and scientific. You question my belief in God through Jesus Christ, which is fine and dandy. But my case for Jesus Christ through scientific inquiry is grounded in principles taught by Jesus, which are earthy enough to be scientifically tested and independently verified."

Viewed as the Imperious Commander of the Oxian language, supreme master of the art of debate, Sertaine smugly pounds Clayton.

Sertaine: "You haven’t established a logical link between God and Jesus; therefore your premise is wrong from the start."

Moore: "For the record, the rules of logic are highly overrated and have nothing to do with theology or science. Matter of fact logic has no place in science or theology. I would say all of the constructs of theoretical physics, as is the case with all theological constructs defy logic. What logic applies to subatomic particles? Where does logic come into play regarding a scientist’s belief in the existence of strange attractors or the uncertainty principle? Where does logic come into play regarding a Christian’s belief God and Jesus are one in the same in the existence of the Trinity?

Science starts with what is sensed and observed then directly or indirectly tested, not with what crosses one’s mind and is logically argued. The principles reportedly spelled out by Jesus that lead to positive changes in human behavior are scientifically testable in the same way Newton’s laws of gravity are scientifically testable."

Never accused of being humble, the arrogant, all-knowing secular scientist and Supreme Court justice explodes on Clayton.

Sertaine: "You’re equating theology and behavioral science with physics?"

Russell: Gentlemen, for the sake of keeping this Court on schedule stop squabbling; and let’s move on. Mr. Moore, the Court understands you believe God and Jesus are in some sense one and the principles ascribed to Jesus found in the Gospels are open to scientific testing. Do you have anything else specific to Justice Sertaine’s concern about blind faith?

Moore: Yes, your Honor. More than a few secularists and some theists wrongly seem to think empirical/scientific reasoning and religious beliefs do not mix – what