Black Sheep

* "I'm sorry, but I can't be a part of the flock.  The good Lord knows I have tried.  I have studied the book, in which all the secrets to living a good life are said to be contained within, but the more I study, the more questions I have."

"I understand son.  It's the way it's suppose to be.  Faith has a-lot to do with living in the light."

* "According to the book, dudes like me are as chaff in the wind that is blown to and fro.  I desperately wanted to stand for something larger than myself.  I completely gave over my soul at one time...but now, for some reason,  I feel like a fool.  I realized that I was always in a stand for something larger than myself...I just didn't know it."

"Why is that?  How can you know that for sure now?"

* "Because, I have tried your way, as I have many others...and the only way to know for sure, if you are on the right path, is to travel it.  I have walked in those shoes.  I have been many places.  I have seen many things...some things most people will never witness in a lifetime.  I have been many things...and many men.  Knowing all these things has taught me many very valuable lessons.  One of the most important of these is this; "There is no one way."

"Not according to the book you studied.  It tells you right there that there is only one way.  That is your proof."

* "See...this is where you and I differ.  I question everything that comes my way.  I give all a fair chance to prove, or disprove, the claims that it makes.  All I see is a method of control.  A method to advance your cause without seeing beyond what you wish to see.  It's just the way I see it.  I would rather teach with reason, rather than teach with fear."

"It's not what I wish to see.  It is about what God has commanded me to recognize, and yes...I greatly fear God because he can destroy me in the blink of an eye.  My only cause, is simply for you to have eternal salvation, to live a good life, and for you family to reap the rewards of eternity.  If I am wrong, what is the worst thing that could happen to you.  Are you willing to take that chance?  The chance that you will suffer eternal damnation?"

* "Well...yeah...I think I'm going to take that chance.  Here is the short of it all.  I deeply respect you, as a man, for standing up for your convictions.  I see the good that you do in spreading your message.  I see the people you help.  I see how people need you and it all makes perfect sense to me..it is that perfect sense that led me to my truth.  I won't get in your way...simply because it's your way.  I will even stand up and fight for your right to practice your own personal beliefs...after all, that is what this country is all about.  There are some things I will not stand by and let happen, just as you will not stand next to me and fight for some of the things I believe in...even if the core of what we both believe is identical...that being the goal of making ourselves good men.

"What makes you think that I won't take a stand on your behalf?"

* "Well, Gay Marriage, for one...now, I'm not gay and have never had the desire, but knowing what I know about the world and the word, I simply can't allow discrimination on this subject.  I can't allow discrimination against race, color or creed...and I find more and more roadblocks for these groups of people the further and further I dig into your truth.  If you believe in what the book says, you will not stop others from doing these things.  According to the book, you are not the judge and only God has the power to pass judgement.  If that is the case, then why do you fight against these things?  I stand for the rights of everyone...not just for the things I think are right for me or what I think is right or wrong, but for the rights of everyone and for what is fair...well, as fair as this world can possibly be anyway.  As a matter of fact...there are countless minorities and gay men, and women, who have fought for your right to practice your religion freely...yet you still fail to stand up for them and label those folks as sin.  I don't believe in the whole 'don't ask, don't tell'...that's not how I think."

"Why won't you join the flock again?  Why do you continue to kick against the prick?  Why do you defy the creator and why have you lost your faith?"

* "I have not lost my faith.  I believe in a God, and not for one second can I deny it's existence.  Every fiber of my being knows that God exists.  God is everything and everywhere...but I find the more I defy YOUR God, the more I am persecuted for doing so...somehow, that just doesn't seem right to me.  I respect the good you do so much that I can not bring myself to interfere.  I wish not to be labeled as a wolf in sheep's clothing so I have removed myself.  Not because I am ashamed, but because I do hold respect for you, in this free country, to practice your religion.  I respect the ultimate goals you have set for yourself and the flock.  I don't want to hinder your efforts...and I know me well enough to know that I will openly defy what I see as a wrong against humanity...even if I am viewed wrong in other people's eyes."

"Well...it troubles me that you have turned away, but I must say this to you;  I respect you as a man and I respect what you have done for others.  I respect that you stand for what you believe to be truth...even if it might not be my truth.  I know you are a good man and you have demonstrated this.  I have the deepest respect for you as a man.  You have always been a straight shooter."

* "Thank you Brother...that means a-lot to me.  I guess we are not all that different.  We are both men who want to make the world a better place...we just have different routes drawn on the map that's life...I'll meet up with you at the end.  Until then...how about you and I ride the roads we both know for awhile?"

"Sounds good to me.  Amen to that."