“Prisoner at the bar,” said the Grand Inquisitor, “you are charged with encouraging people to break the laws, traditions, and customs of our holy religion. How do you plead?”

“Guilty, Your Honor.”

“And with frequenting the company of heretics, prostitutes, public sinners, the extortionist tax-collectors, the colonial conquerors of our nation—in short, the excommunicated. How do you plead?”

“Guilty, Your Honor.”

“Also with publicly criticizing and denouncing those who have been placed in authority within the Church of God. How do you plead?”

“Guilty, Your Honor.”

“Finally, you are charged with revising, correcting, calling into question the sacred tenets of our faith. How do you plead?”

“Guilty, Your Honor.”

“What is your name, prisoner?” “Jesus of Narareth, Your Honor.”

Tags: