S.O.S.

It looks like the Qurans in Gainesville, Florida are safe, at least for the time being. Terry Jones really got the world’s attention, though, and proved at least one point: no single religion has the corner on zealots. No, there are more than enough to go around and, of course, that got me thinking.

Most, if not all, religions have a central character. Let’s call that individual their super-hero for lack of a better name. This super-hero, in most cases, is predicted to return to earth via a sudden appearance or reincarnation. Sadly, this event is not to occur until mankind is leaning over the precipice of annihilation. I’m hard pressed to imagine their ability to pull us back from the brink and, even if they could, why would they wait so long?

It seems to me that mankind is pretty much down that road to ruin, so why don’t the super-heroes all get together and return now? I propose a formation of the “Super-Heroes Of the World United in Peace” or SHOW UP to introduce us all to the proper path to enlightenment and tranquility. God (no offense) knows that we’re sorely in need of such redirection. And it is imperative that all the super-heroes are on board. No abstainers in this effort: everyone on earth must know at the same moment if they were correct in their afterlife philosophy.  Anyway, the only reason I can think of for a super-hero to opt out would be that human emotion of jealousy and wouldn’t a supreme being of some sort be well beyond such pettiness? Not to mention the disappointed devotees should only one show up (unless, of course, there is only one).

There are others that do not believe in super-heroes of any kind and give short shrift to religion in general. I find myself more in this camp than the other, although I classify myself as a deist when asked. Regardless, who am I to doubt the super-hero theory? But enough, already, let’s get them back and get on with the betterment of society. Where’s Rod Roddy and his “Come on down!” plea when we really need him? To think that the timing is not yet right to intervene speaks more of a doubted prophecy than a profound faith.

History has shown that a preponderance of bloodshed was a direct result of religious differences. The same holds true today and our friendly Gainesville preacher is only the latest in a long line of would-be prophets, fear-mongers, or faith healers. So let us pray for our various and sundry super-heroes to deliver us from this evil. And if they decide to remain in the shadows and let us continue headlong towards the end of days? I’d say that it would indicate their reluctance to help us out at all and perhaps we are more on our own than previously thought. Maybe we should start caring more for each other than relying upon our respective super-hero to swoop in and save us at the last moment.