Chapter 33
11:10 AM EST New York - Bear News Interview Studio
John stood to leave during the break for commercials and news brief. He asked Reverend Marks to accompany him. As they left, I stood and asked no one in particular, where I could get a drink. Immediately, one of the pages who heard me took me to a table across the studio where various drinks were chilling in ice. I grabbed a Gatorade from the bin, opened it, and almost drained it in one swallow.
Mark, who had been off to the side watching the interview, came over beside me and said, “Jack, how are you holding up? Are you alright?”
“Yes, I think so, but I guess these people are here to crucify me in front of the world if they can. Fortunately, they don’t have some old logs and nails, or I am sure a few of them would jump at the chance.”
“I doubt it is that bad Jack; but I will say, they are trying to discredit you as best as they can, and it is going to get worse. How are you going to answer on any non-Christian questions they may ask? You are not going to tell them what they want to hear, are you? Only the truth, right?”
“I understand they are upset, Mark and that they are trying to discredit me. For the last answer I gave, I took Gabriel’s advice; closed my eyes, cleared my head, and waited for the answer. It only took two seconds until I knew what to say. Therefore, I guess I will take that route. It is my only way of answering these questions correctly, regardless of the consequence.”
Mark looked at me and shook his head, “You know, if you declare eastern religions invalid, especially Islam, you will have riots all over the world.”
“You’re assuming they are wrong about their respective religions Mark. I am not sure that is necessarily true. If the question comes up, I will have to answer as God desires for me to, regardless of the consequences, as I stated earlier.”
Mark looked down at the floor and then looked up at me and said, “Jack, I am really glad I am not in your shoes. I am really, really glad.” He walked away. As I watched him go, it finally dawned on me that I was standing alone. The other participants were huddled together and talking; but I was all alone.