Judgment Day - cont...
"Bring forth the Sinner! Bring forth the Sinner!"
The chorus of boos and jeers as Pooh Carrot emerged was almost deafening. Pooh Carrot looked at the audience, the vast majority of whom were wearing "Heathen Bastard" T-shirts emblazoned with his face. He theatrically bowed to them, causing the jeering to rise a few decibels in volume. He himself, had swapped his black T-shirt for a white one depicting a long haired, bearded face and inscribed below was the same legend, "Heathen Bastard." He was also carrying his Bible. After taking his seat in the Sinners' chair the cries of derision continued. It took several attempts by Brother Sjoerd to calm them, before a modicum of silence was reached.
"Sinner Carrot, I can't say it's a pleasure to welcome you back, because you are an odious human being and evil incarnate, and if anyone on this planet deserves to die, it's you, but we must adhere to the rules of the game and ensure God's justice is carried out."
"And I love you too, Bro."
"But first I'd just like to point out that wearing a T-shirt of our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ, and calling him a "Heathen Bastard" is hardly going to win you many fans, and I for one, find that T-shirt an affront to decency."
"Come now Bro, I am just agreeing with the audience who believe falsely, that this person is a "Heathen Bastard," that's all."
"I can assure you that the audience do not regard that person as a "Heathen Bastard." Far from it, they love that person and believe whole heartedly that he is the Son of God."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am!"
"Well, this picture is actually taken from the first episode of this programme that I appeared on. It isn't a picture of Jesus, but a picture of me. You may recall that I looked like this when I first was thrust unwillingly into the limelight."
Brother Sjoerd took a closer look.
"You are right. I was mistaken."
"But were you? Who is to say that I am not the Son of God? The Bible predicts that Jesus will return one day. Maybe that time is now."
"Don't be so stupid!"
"I see that all the g-papers have been trying to find out all about me, but not one of them has come up with even one scrap of information as to where I come from. In fact nobody on this planet has any information about me at all. Don't you think that's a bit strange?"
"It's not impossible."
"I agree. But it's highly improbable in today's age of computers and the god-web, that somebody could live their whole life without leaving a trace anywhere."
"So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?"
"You just claimed I was. But I will leave that for God and others to decide. To help people make up their minds though, let me perform three small miracles."
"You're going to perform three miracles?"
"Yes."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"This I must see."
"And so you shall. Previously I stated that I had not read the Bible. Is this correct?"
"You did make that claim, yes."
"The reason I hadn't read the Bible is because I know what it all says. After all, I did help to write it."
"Oh, this is preposterous!"
"Well let's do a little experiment. You choose any verse, from any book of the Bible, Old or New Testament, and I will tell you what that verse says."
"You have no chance, Carrot. OK, the book of Nehemiah, chapter nine, verse seven."
"Oh, an easy one. "You are the Lord God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham." Is that correct?"
"Give me your Bible. Um...I believe it is. Right, here's one from the New Testament, Corinthians two, chapter eleven, verse ten."
"How appropriate! "As surely as the truth of Christ is in me nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine."
"You just have a good memory, that's all."
"Whatever you say, Bro."
"You said three miracles, show us the second."
"I'll need a member of the audience to help me, if that's OK. You choose any person, completely at random. Preferably someone who isn't going to try to rip my head off this time."
Brother Sjoerd pointed to one person, who was led onto the stage by the security guards. Pooh Carrot went up to him.
"Here is a Bible. Please hold it in your left hand. I want everyone to make sure that you are telling the truth. Now, I have some questions for you. Firstly, are you a Christian?"
"Yes, I am."
"Do you swear on the Bible that we have never met before?"
"Yes, I do."
"Is there any conceivable way I could know anything about you at all?"
"No, I don't see how that's possible."
"Do you agree that If I were Jesus, I'd be able to see into your heart and mind, and tell everyone watching your personal details, even though we've never met?"
"Jesus could probably do that, but you sure as hell couldn't. You're a mere prawn of Satan."
"I think you meant pawn, but never mind. Now let's see, shall we? Your name is Jan Van Quirm and you are fifty two years old. You are Dutch. You live in Groningen in the Netherlands. You are married to Michel and you have two children, both boys, aged nineteen and seventeen. You work for the Dutch railway as an engineer. Twenty five years ago you were arrested by the Police for drunk driving and were banned for a year. You have a degree in mechanical engineering from..."
"Stop! Stop! How do you know all that?"
"Do you swear on the Bible that I have just spoken the truth?"
"Yes, yes! I swear."
"Thank you. That is all. You may return to your seat now."
The crowd was buzzing as Mr Quirm first handed the Bible back then was led, ashen-faced, back to his seat.
To keep the momentum going, Pooh Carrot faced the audience and commanded them in a firm voice,
"Brothers and sisters. Let us pray."
Pooh Carrot knelt before the audience. After a moment's hesitation, the bemused audience got down on their knees too. Pooh Carrot closed his eyes.
"Dear Lord God, who sees all and hears the prayers of all who believe, we humbly beseech you to grant our request this day. In the Bible Mark states, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Matthew states, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer." Dear Lord God, we humbly beseech you now to heed or prayer. If Pooh Carrot is not your Son, if Pooh Carrot is not Jesus Christ returned to earth, then this very instant, please smite him with a thunderbolt."
Half opening one eye, Pooh Carrot scanned the audience. They were all concentrating hard and mouthing their words to God. After a minute of nothing happening, Pooh Carrot stood up.
"Amen!"
Brother Sjoerd was beside himself with rage.
"That was not a miracle!"
"If that was not a miracle, then there can only be three explanations. Firstly, in this audience of ten thousand people, there is not one person who is a true believer, so God didn't listen to their prayers. Secondly, the Bible is wrong and the two verses I quoted in the prayer are not true. Or thirdly, that I'm the Son of God, and God chose not to smite me for I have a mission to fulfill. Obviously if I'm not the Son of God returned, then it must have been a miracle, for I am still living and breathing."
"There is one other explanation that you failed to mention, Carrot."
"And that is?"
"That God chose not to kill you now, for he wants you to be stoned to death for your sins."
"To be stoned to death I have to receive 66.6% of the world vote. I promise you that today, God will not let that happen."