"Ms. Melody, right ? _ please humor me for a sec !"
"Just give me your honest answers to some simple questions i'll shoot your way, is that okay ?!"
In an open stadium, with thousands of people on the bleachers.
All wearing T-shirts with different designs, but with the exact same writing at the front _ 'RELIGION IS A SCAM' _ and the image of a middle aged man with short black hair and black eyes at the back.
All paying their full attention to the discussion that was taking place on stage.
Doctor Peter PennyPincher was in the center of the stage, with multiple reporters with flashing cameras, as they struggled to get a question in _ for a piece on his new book titled _ 'RELIGION IS A SCAM.
But he was now paying more of his attention to a certain reporter near the front who had been throwing questions at him that were obviously anti atheist in nature.
"Yes of course! Go ahead doctor PennyPincher!"
Melody responds solemnly as she braces herself for a question she knows would definitely be anti religious.
"good!, now, as a Christian reporter… you claim there is no objective morality without god, true or false ?! "
"Yes, true, it's from our religious beliefs.." melody tried to start but was abruptly cut off.
"Yes I get that, but do you also agree that human societies have developed ethical systems, based on empathy, reason and social cooperation ? "
"yes, that's also true.. but it still doesn't change the fact.."
"Very good!, you all also say… that god has a plan, and that suffering has purpose, isn't that right ? "
"Yes of course, the Lord sees all and know all! and he definitely has a plan for everything " melody voiced with conviction
"Ok , if god is all powerful and all loving and also sees all, shouldn't unnecessary suffering be non existent _ natural disasters, diseases affecting children _"
"The sheer amount of suffering seems inconsistent with a benevolent deity, don't you think ? "
"Like I told you, the Lord has a plan for ..."
"Ms. Melody, didn't you also state earlier that the bible is the word of god and the word of god is the truth ? "
"..."
Melody was quiet now _ she had come to this conference like many other reporters in order to disrupt this blasphemous man's new book launching
Which strongly goes against the beliefs of the religious community and against god almighty _ at least that's what she'd like herself to believe.
Honestly, she just wants to find fault in his logic, get a good scoop and claim the reputation as the very first reporter to bring down the world famous atheist _ Peter PennyPincher.
But the man was just too overwhelming to try and destabilise.
"Multiple religions claim the divine truth but then go ahead and contradict each other _ if divine revelation is real, why then is it so culturally and historically contingent ?! "
"Doctor PennyPincher, I am just a reporter, I am not too.."
"A christian reporter! Please be more specific"
"You questioned my beliefs at my book launch and now that I am questioning yours, you've become tongue tied ? "
"You didn't even allow me to spe..." melody tried to defend herself but was again cut off.
"Let me put it to you all out there, all those watching on TV at home or streaming on the internet _ "
"There is no god!"
"Religion is a big fat scam _ every and all religion!"
"And as I've always done on tv, I will once again prove it to you all!"
"Your god is all powerful and all seeing right ?!"
"Go ahead now _ I challenge You _ you all powerful god in the heavens _ to smite me right here and now!"
….
Somewhere, an unknown distance away from planet earth, beyond the solar system, beyond the galaxy, beyond the cosmos, the universe and outside all dimensions.
A place where nothing exists, a place without description since it has never been gazed upon by any other existence.
An formless and non descript entity, stirred awake _ as for the first time in well… non existent time_ it made a sound _
HMM ?
The entity watched peter _ as he uttered softly a single word which violently shook the closest dimensions _
INTERESTING !
...
Back on Planet Earth.
Peter PennyPincher was still going hard at the audience _
"See ? ! "
"Absolutely nothing happened!"
"Let's do it again, in case your god wasn't listening okay? ! "
"I challenge you ... You all powerful god in heaven _ to smite me right here and right now _ for my repeated blasphemy and make me experience my worst possible nightmare _ "
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED !
"What's that ?.. Did any of you say something just now ?" Peter directed his question to the reporters closest to the stage _ who shook their heads and looked at each other in confusion.
Peter PennyPincher heard a voice he couldn't quite describe _ not in his ears _ it felt more like it came from his soul _
Which caused a cold tremor to run through his spine _ but as a professional, he quickly comported himself and controlled his reaction as he brought his attention back to the conference and the reporters .
Wearing his usual smug smile as he always did when he called out these fake people and their fake religious god _
"See what I always say _ do not be deceived by these fals_"
Then Darkness.
No noise _ no thunder _ no heavens wrath or smiting _
It was like a pause button was pressed on his existence _
Doctor of Cosmology and famous atheist, Peter PennyPincher _
Thirty Seven years old _ husband and loving father of three _
Died standing in an upright position, at the center of a stadium _ with a microphone still in his grip _ and thousands of people watching with their mouths wide open.
...