Chapter 5: Chapter Five: Proof?
"Certain bodybuilders have made their body their God, or perhaps an ideal or concept of their body. There are a few Atheists who have made the lack of a personified God into their God and their religion. Some scientists have made science itself, or the pursuit of truth, their God. Once someone is convinced that reality is thus and so, and models their life choices after that belief, this is religion. Of course, belief in a God or Gods is also included. Thus the choices a person make on a daily basis always reveals their true religion. Therefore, it can never be private," he said.
"I think I understand. That's interesting, I've never really thought of it that way before. I'll have to ponder that more. But, I'm still confused about how this applies to here and now," she said.
"For some people, believing in a God might make this final test easier. But for others, especially those who do not believe in a God or Gods… this final test will be so much harder," he stated.
"Seriously? Are you telling me that this will affect my beliefs?" she asked.
"If you live, you will no longer believe," he replied.
"My belief in a God would be disproved somehow?" she asked.
He stopped and glanced at her. She found it difficult to bear his penetrating gaze, as usual.
"No. Quite the opposite, in fact. You will no longer believe, because you will know instead," he said. "And that knowledge is a difficult burden to bear. How difficult, you cannot comprehend, until you bear it."
He turned away and proceeded down the animal trail. After a stunned pause, she hurried to catch up.
"Wait, wait, wait a minute," she said, "You're telling me that somewhere in the depths of the jungles of South America, there's proof of the existence of God?"
"Of a sort," he replied evasively.
"And you're not going to tell me any more beforehand, are you," she stated.
"Very smart."
She groaned in disgust. "I hate these 'you'll get it after you experience it' lessons!"
They proceeded onward without speaking for a time. The terrain opened up and the trace came out into a small clearing. Before them was a series of mountainous hills on either side of a vibrant green valley basin. The clearing was choked with growth, except in one area, where an ancient stone path meandered across it and down into the valley.
"How old is that path?" she asked, eyes wide with amazement.
"Hush," he whispered.
She glanced at him, and saw tension in his utter stillness and his roving gaze. She likewise scanned the clearing, but came up empty.
She signed, What is it?
He signed back, It is what is not. There should be someone here.
She signed, Then what do we do?
He signed, We wait.
The wait was long. They meditated in place, stretched and exercised, practiced combat forms, and even reviewed recent world events… but they never approached the path. To her disgust, he avoided every mention or subtle hint about their destination, who they were waiting for, or the final test.
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