Free Driftless by David Rhodes Page B

churches because modern life leaves them longing for something more. Especially the fundamentalist and Pentecostal faiths have experienced a sustained resurgence in membership. But I’m truly interested to know what you see as superstitious.”
    The man with sideburns spoke again. “Fewer and fewer people attend church on Sunday. Television evangelists have completely soured the well of religion and people now see it as just another pocketbook scam.”
    Winnie laughed. “I love that phrase, ‘soured the well.’ Thank you for using it. I wonder where it comes from. The images it brings to mind are so vivid. I’m afraid, however, we must be very careful to not take our personal experiences as representative of society as a whole. If you know fewer and fewer people attending church on Sunday, it is probably due to your associating more and more with like-minded fellows. Reliable statistical data confirm that more and more people are attending. As for television evangelism, which you are right to criticize for its sometimes shameless tactics in fund-raising, it is just one more example of how people thirst for the Word in these modern times. Even the most flawed messenger can find acceptance.”
    “Look around you,” the man said, gesturing with his open hands. What do you see? Over here, a leader of a church stands behind a pulpit and condemns sexual immorality and the next day is found in bed with animals. Over here, Christians maim, torture, and kill Muslims, and Muslims maim, torture, and kill Christians because of their religion. And just yesterday, out in some backwater town not far from here, a man murdered his wife and children—shot them in the head—because God told him to get them to heaven as quickly as possible. Turn over any rock and you’ll find a politician pressing his
     hands together in public prayer while he’s accepting bribes, cheating on his wife, and sending his neighbors’ jobs overseas. If there’s one critical imbalance in the world, it’s too much religion.”
    Winnie continued to smile. “But all the examples you’ve given are of men violating religious principles, not acting in sympathy with them. You’ve cited exceptions to the general case, which is why they are put into headlines. The religions of the world offer hope in times of darkness and assurance that moral integrity is rewarded. The majority of people find courage in knowing that charity is divinely supported and goodness will eventually prevail. It helps them to be better people.”
    “Then how do you explain the lack of preachers and priests?” He was now inspecting Winnie’s reflection in the mirror.
    “The economy presently allows people to better provide for their families outside the ministry.”
    “You mean they can make more money if they are not professional followers of Christ?”
    “I suppose that would be fair to say, though your choice of words is a little harsh.”
    “Then despite the growing number of people in churches, few of them let religion interfere with their material ambitions. I guess that would make them hypocrites—isn’t that the word for people who profess one thing but do another?” He smiled straight into the reflection of Winnie’s eyes in the mirror, as though to drive the final nail into her argument.
    “Oh, no,” said Winnie, rising to her feet and smoothing her skirt over her narrow hips until the finely woven material fell without a fold or wrinkle to within an inch of the floor. “Serving God is not limited to working inside the church. People serve wherever they are. In whatever line of work they choose, many people are doing their part. It’s simply that fewer are choosing full-time ministry. You yourself may choose to serve God while having your hair cut. You may—”
    “I see,” the man interrupted. “Then perhaps everyone at every moment is serving God. Perhaps even thieves, rapists, terrorists, murderers, and other criminals are serving God as they go about