"Nevertheless, you have ideas in the field of politics? I hope we can
be frank with each other."
"Well ... I have no intention of being critical. As you know, we--that
is, in the United States the Church is separate from the government."
The corners of Brulieres' mouth quirked. "What you mean, perhaps, is
that you do not understand how the Church can support a totalitarian
government. Oh, do not protest; the facts are obvious. We have been
called worse names than 'totalitarian.' You do not think it right that
the Church should take up actual arms."
"I--yes. Since you put it into words. We have a different concept of
religion."
* * * * *
The priest nodded slowly. "_Si._ Once I visited your land. In a way,
I envied the priests there. Here, we have had more to contend with
than the christening of fat babies and listening to trifling sins of
appetite. We are in the front line of battle."
Craig said stiffly, "Do you mean a spiritual battle, or an ideological
one?"
This time Brulieres nearly smiled. "Are you so certain, then, that they
are not the same battle?"
Damn it, thought Craig, I know better than to argue with a priest. He
did not answer for a minute.
Brulieres said gently, "Please forgive me if I am too direct. You do
not believe that Evil is a real force?"
Craig could not meet the penetrating eyes. The old doubt edged into his
mind: what if he's right and I am wrong? What if there _is_ a personal
God? He pushed the thought away, telling himself as he always did that
it was just the exposure he'd suffered before he was old enough to
think for himself. He said, "I'm a scientist, Padre."
"But not, unless I misjudge you, an atheist?"
"I call myself an agnostic, if you must classify me. I recognize the
possibility of some force behind life and mind. I do not believe in a
God who is a man with a beard. Nor do I believe in a Devil with hooves
and horns."
Brulieres nodded again. "We are not so far apart as you may suppose,
Doctor. Myself, I have always thought that one who claimed perfect
faith without the trace of a doubt, was either an idiot or a liar.
God surely has his reasons for not removing all doubt. In any case I
wish to make my position clear to you. It was not happily that I took
up what weapons were at hand. Had I the choice, I would choose quite
differently." He eyed Craig directly for a moment. "The battle is very
real and very clear to me, Doctor. I have done what I must. I hope you
will believe that."
Craig's skeptical mind told him that this was just a play for a good
press when Craig got home.
His emotions though, wouldn't go along. They cried out that he was
looking upon sincerity.