As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies dráw fláme; / As tumbled over rim in roundy wells / Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's / Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name; / Each mortal thing does one thing and the same: / Deals out that being indoors each one dwells; / Selves -- goes itself; myself it speaks and spells, / Crying Whát I do is me: for that I came.// Í say móre: the just man justices/ [Gerard Manley Hopkins]

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In "Four Cultures of the West," John O'Malley, SJ, showed us how to read the open book of our own personal experience and look at what we find there. This is what I find about family and friends, academics and humanism, religion and the rule of law.

Monday, March 16, 2009

CROSS-EXAMINATION OF GOD

State of New America

Superior Court

Criminal Division

*

State v. Cardinal Ignotus

Docket: 2009-03-16

*

Hon. Wisdom, C.J. Presiding

___________________________________________________________


TRANSCRIPT - March 16, 2009, 1:00, p.m.


CROSS-EXAMINATION OF GOD


Court: Direct exam having been concluded by Defense Counsel for the Cardinal, we will now proceed to Cross-Examination by the Prosecuting Attorney for State.


Q. Your name is God?

A. Yes.

Q. And you are under oath here today?

A. Yes.

Q. To whom did you swear that oath, sir?

A. Myself.

Q. Clever. . .


Defense Counsel: Objection. Badgering the Witness.

Court: Sustained.


Q. Why are you here on a trial of a Cardinal for obstructing justice?

A. I was asked to be a character witness.

Q. Are you under subpoena?

A. No, my appearance is voluntary.

Q. You have already testified to the Cardinal's character. Now I would like to inquire into your own. Where do you live, God?

A. Everywhere.

Q. I see. And how long have you lived there?

A. Since time began. Before that, Eternity.

Q. Well, now, Sir, those are mighty .....


Defense Counsel. Objection, may it please the Court. Badgering.. Bantering, too.

Court. Sustained, on the first ground. Second is to be ignored.

Prosecuting Attorney. Withdraw the question, anyway, Your Honor, and pardon my obtuseness, but this is a bit difficult for me, with such a witness.

Court: Just be yourself, Counselor. Please proceed.


Q. Did you blow up Krakatoa?

A. No.

Q. Who did?

A. It did.

Q. You created the world?

A. Yes.

Q. And Krakatoa?

A. Yes. It was included.

Q. When?

A. A few billion years ago. You could call it a Big Bang.

Q. Well, God, I shall. You like Bangs? Volcanoes, tornadoes, ice caps, global warming, expanding universe?

A. Yes.

Q. Whew. Let's see. You are, of course, responsible for all the good that is in the world?

A. No. People are.

Q. I suppose, then, you will say that People are responsible for all the bad that is in the world, too?

A. Yes.

Q. How can you have it both ways, God? You made the world. And you made the People?

A. That's right.

Q. But that's a contradiction?

A. Is it?

Q. Please answer me, God. I am not allowed to answer your questions.

A. Would you, then, Counselor, call this cross-examination a one way street?

Q. Oh! God . . . .


Defense Counsel: Objection. May it please the Court. Is that an exclamation or a prayer?

Court: Overruled. Both of you! Restrain yourselves. This is a most unusual witness. Proceed.


Q. Sorry, Your Honor, sorry. Where was I? Oh! Yes. Let me get this straight, God. You created the world. So, you created everything in it?

A. Yes.

Q. Good, bad, indifferent? Suffering? Death? Destruction? Cataclysms? Cathedrals? Evil?


God's Counsel rises.

Court. Don't bother. Sit down.


A. Yes.

Q. And so, you must be responsible?

A. Yes.

Q. I don't get it.

A. You will.

Q. Did your Cardinal get it, God?

A. Not yet.

Q. Why?

A. Counselor, trial lawyers are never to ask "Why?" You know that.

Q. Why?

A. The answer might cause you to lose your case.

Q. Forget the case, God, this is a search for truth.

A. I am Truth.

Q. I suppose you are also Way?

A. Yes.

Q. Life?

A. Yes.

Q. Light, too?

A. Yes.

Q. Any other names you use, God?

A. I Am.


Prosecuting Attorney. No further questions, Your Honor, of this witness. Counselor, you may inquire of your client.


Defense Counsel. No need, thank you. We've met. And, Brother, God is not my client. God is God.


Court. We will take a recess now. Counsel in Chambers for Motions to
Dismiss.


[End Transcript in Courtroom, March 16, 1:45, P.M. ]

________________________________________________________

HEARING IN CHAMBERS - Not transcribed - March 16, 2009, 2: 15, p.m.

________________________________________________________

TRANSCRIPT - March 16, 2009, 3:04, p.m.

RULING OF COURT

Court. After hearing in Chambers, Motions to Dismiss are denied. The Court finds the Witness to be incredible.

-End-


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