The Nonexistent War- by Susan Thomas

A young woman was standing in front of the public court house with a sign that reads "All homosexuals are going to hell. God says so," many people notice but choose to continue on with their business. A few give her a disapproving scowl or even a smile of approval, but they also mind their own business and continue along their way.
Finally a young man comes along and takes notice of they young woman. This man doesn't believe in God because he feels personally that you have to choose between what science says and what a fairy tale book says. He can't just let a woman insult a group of people because of what some unproven fairy tale book says. So he speaks up.
"Mam. What proof do you have that someone who is gay well go to hell?"
The woman stops and looks down at the man. She smiles and puts her sign down and walks up to the young man.
"Well the bible has a lot to say about that subject. Here are some verses on the subject," Then she proceeded to rattle off a bunch of verses from the bible,"Leviticus 18:21-22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Timothy 1:8-10."
"Oh so because some ancient book that can't be accurate because of numersous translations and the sheer ididocy contained inside says so. Because this book says so someone who is gay doesn't have the right to be happy."
"The bible is true. You my friend need to open up your heart to the truth. You are a sinner and if you don't repent you will go to hell."
"So now you're threatening me. Why would I want to believe in a supreme being that seems to enjoy sending people to hell so much?"
The two continued to bicker. Their bickering began to gather an intrerested crowd. Who would win? Who acutally knew the truth? Or were they both stupid? Finally another young woman arrived and took notice of the argument.
She was normally the type to stay out of such arguments. The ever insisting war between religon and science. She was tired of it being shoved in her face. For some reason on this occasion she could not keep quiet. She had enough and lost her temper.
"Shut up the both of you! Do you have any idea how stupid you make yourselves sound?"
They both stared at her in shock.
"Really mam. Can you really say with confidence you believe in God? By looking at your current example  I have doubts. Oh sure maybe you believe in him but you don't seem to be walking the path. What gives you the right to judge those who see things differently? Besides Jesus himself would embrace the homosexual with loving arms? Why do I think this? Simple becasue Jesus preached to those who were unaccepted by society. He preached to the rejected and lost. He don't go around in crowded public places condeming people to hell!"
The woman was silent and had a look of anger on her face.
"You sir are no better than she is. What makes you think you have to choose between science and the bible. You may want to sit down for this, but I am a christian who happens to believe that evolution and the big bang are possible. I also see nothing wrong with gay marriage. Do I believe it is a sin. Yes. The bible does say sexual immorailty is a sin, but if we are going to act on one then we must act on all. I don't see anyone giving up their right to divorce anytime soon. This also is a sin. My point being that this world is full of sin and everyone in it is a sinner.  If we were to pick and choose like this woman over here we can make the bible stand for whatever we want. In fact I do believe Satan is very good at that. Eveyone must take a hard look and see what their own sin is before condemning another for theirs."
"That's all well and good but you cannot believe in both the bible and science. They contradict each other."said the young man.
"Really. Where did you read that? In science class perhaps? Science doesn't disprove God and the bible doesn't disprove science. There is no contradiction. In fact according to science you can't even test for God because it violates the scientific method. If you do that you really aren't much of a scientist. Science as I see it is possible ways God did it all. For example something had to get the Big Bang started. Something had to guide evolution so that we would turn out to be the amazing species that we are. To tell me it's all chance is bit too much for me to chew."
"Never heard it put that way before. I don't agree, but you aren't the problem. It's people like her!" he shouted angrily pointing at the woman.
The young woman took a deep breath and looked up. She could see the woman with the sign was about to loose it so she quickly said one last thing.
"You are only half right. You both are the problem. You are so fanatical about the truth you believe that when you come across someone who has a different view point you have to pounce. You make it your business to force people to choose between the two when in reality you don't have to choose. You with the sign claim to be a follower of Christ, but I see a person using God as an excuse for their own uncomfortable feeling towards a group of people. You sir are frustrated with people like her. The problem is that people like her are small in number and you project that view on to all of God's followers. You don't count the ones like me who usually stay silent and keep their heads down hoping for it all to go away. Because we never speak our voice is lost. Truth is this partially my fault as well for keeping my mouth shut for so long. But this imaginary war you two have going on needs to end. I suggest you deal with yourselves and figure out what you real issue is."

Nothing of Love Chapter 2 Part 3 By Elsie Heberling

     It had been a hot and busy day, and Phillip was glad to return home at the regular time. He was tired. "He found Ruth in the kitchen, busy with preparations for dinner, and finding her so, knew that her mother was not there. "Hello," honey, I see you are busy."
     "Oh, hello father, I didn't hear you come in, your dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
     "That's alright, I'll rest till then, and read the evening paper." In the living room, he sat down wearily, and unfolded the newspaper, part of which he dropped to the floor beside his chair. It did not take long before his head dropped back against the chair, and he slept, while the paper he had been holding dropped from his hands. In a few minutes he was rudely awakened by Jennifer, who had entered.
     "Father, why do you make things so untidy-every-where you go you leave a mess, you could read somewhere else, and if you want sleep, go to your room."
     Before he could answer, Ruth appeared in the doorway, hearing her sisters' unkind words. "Because, Jennifer, dinner is ready." Frowning at her sister, Ruth said, "Come father, I'm sorry I kept you waiting."
     "It's alright, Ruth. I'm not that hungry." He had said nothing to Jennifer, but Paul had heard her remark, and caught her by the arm, holding her back, while Ruth and their father passed into the dining room. Then angrily, in a low voice, he warned, "Jen, if I ever hear you speak to father like that again, I'm going to make things very unpleasant for you."
     Pulling herself free from his restraining hand, she said, "Oh, shut up, you are just like he is." Tossing her blond curls, Jennifer walked proudly into the dining room and seat herself at the table. Paul seated himself on the opposite side. At this point, Maggie came in and immediately sat down on the opposite end of the table from Philip, as she said, "You are a good girl, Ruth, to prepare such a fine dinner."
     "It's alright, mother, only I should have been studying, we are having exams next week."
     Jennifer was quick to speak. "Don't forget, Ruth, that mother works very hard, and needs your help."
     "And what about you, Jen," Paul was still angry. "How much help did you contribute?"
     "Mother," Jen pleaded, "make Paul leave me alone, he is always finding fault with me."
     Philip's voice was sharp as he spoke. "Now that will do, children, we have heard quite enough." There was a silence during the remainder of their dinner, and leaving the table, Paul said quietly to Ruth, "You go to your studie's, sis, I'll help mother with the dishes."
     In the course of cleaning the dinner things away, Paul questioned his mother. "Why is Jennifer so mean to father? She has become very disrespectful toward him."
     His mother didn't look at him as she replied, "Just remember, Paul, respect is given to one who has earned it."
     "Oh, mother...." Whatever protest the boy intended to make, was left unsaid. Paul tossed the dish towel impatiently on the table and left the work unfinished.

     In his room, Philip DuFrow had tried reading his evening paper, but somehow nothing came clear. He had finished a whole column, and didn't know what he had read. His mind kept wandering to his children. What had happened to Jennifer? She used to be a cuddling little thing, always looking for someone to love her. And he had loved her, just as he had loved all his children, but recently she had turned to fault finding and unkindness.
     At last, with a sick feeling, he realized that Jennifer had inherited her mothers' nature, only it had developed in her much earlier than in Maggie. What could he do? He didn't know. He had done fore his wife, everything possible. He had been kind and considerate, given her gifts and loved her, yet she had repulsed him. Maggie had become colder each year, growing further away from him. he rested his fade in his hands as he whispered,
     "Oh, God, why must I be so lonely?"

     Every Sunday morning found him in his usual places in the church, although he had definitely refused to occupy the pulpit another time. He had thought of discussing his marital trouble with Rev. Jarrett, but always had arrived at the same conclusion. He could not. After all, to Philip's nature, there was some things too deeply private for discussion with anyone, and he knew it would never change Maggie. An who would believe him? Outside her home, Maggie was the same patient, suffering martyr.
     The following day, Philip was busy in the mill yard inspecting a new shipment of lumber that had arrived that morning, when he was approached by Jim Barton. After a lengthy discussion on door and window frames for the new building he was working on, Jim asked, "And how is Maggie?"
     These two men had grown up together and had always been friends, always speaking in the most candid way.
     "Maggie is fine, always busy."
     "So I've noticed, but why?"
     " I don't know, Jim, she doesn't need to do it. I guess it is just her passion for helping others, and her redeeming grace that she takes no pay for her services."
     "But you permit her doing it."
     "Oh, Jim, let's forget about Maggie, I beleive you and Bess know her well enough to know that Maggie does what she darn well pleases."
     "Yes, we have recognized that for a long time, but I didn't mind telling you, that if she were my wife, I'd give her a damned good mauling and teach her where her duties were."
     Sadly, Philip answered, "I could never do that, Jim, and you know it."
     "Yes, I know, and that is the cause of it all. The truth is that Maggie does not understand a man like you, you are too much of a gentlemen. She needs a strong hand over her."
     "Alright, Jim, but if it turns me into a wife beater, then count me out."
     "So-it's your life. Now about those frames...when can you have them delivered?"