“I don’t understand,” commented Frank.
Gibbs looked at Frank and stood. He patted Frank on the back. “Detective, if you ask the average man the definition of a cult he’s going to describe some sort of a charismatic leader and chants and weird goings on. And, in a way that is all true, but we are surrounded by cults. They’re with us all the time. We’re born into a cult. What do we want our children to do? We want them to listen and follow us without question. Didn’t you ever get a spanking when you didn’t do as you were told?”
Frank had a questioning face but nodded yes.
“That was our parents keeping us in the ‘cult’.”
“When you went to school, were you allowed to just do whatever you wanted to do?”
“No,” answered Frank. “You did what the teacher told you to do.”
“That’s right,” said Gibbs. “In both cases, your parents, your teachers, they were bringing you in conformity with the group. No matter how rambunctious a child you were, you eventually relinquished control to the one in charge. In this case, your parents, your teachers. In a way, you were in the cult.”
“Yes, I see what you’re saying, but this is a grown, educated man. He knows better. . .”
“What did you say he does for a living?”
“I said he is a priest. He is the pastor at. . .”
“Detective, all religions are cults, every one of them. I hate to say this, but all your friend has done is switch one cult for another.”
“Whoa, wait a minute, I am in church every. . . well, most Sundays. And I have never seen anything weird or unnatural going on. I certainly wouldn’t consider my religion. . .”
“You wouldn’t consider your religion a cult?”
“No, absolutely not.
“Umm, that’s interesting. But you have already said it. You are in church every Sunday. Well, you said most Sundays, and you feel guilty when Sunday comes and you’re not there sitting in a pew. I want you to think of this whole vast world, this whole vast universe, do you believe that. . . what did you say your name was?”
“Frank Logan.”
“Right. Do you actually believe the one who created this entire world, this entire universe gives the least damn whether or not Frank Logan is sitting in that pew. Isn’t that rather presumptuous? Isn’t it a bit egotistic?”
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