Conversations with the Devil

If you read it carefully, it's a proof by contradiction regarding the possibility of "fortune telling" - ascertaining an exact outcome to anything. Even better, it doesn't play on any moral arguments or fire-and-brimstone rhetoric.


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"God" he prayed, "I am too confused to see things through the window of my own heart. I am too weak in my impatience, but full of faith. I need you to tell me right away where my life is going."

"Young one, I am here. You need only ask your questions, and I shall answer you. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light."

Sasha reached out his hand, and allowed himself to be led along the path by the tall, shadowy, figure. Trusting in this anonymous, confident person, he began his inquisition.

"Will my grades turn out okay?"

"Yes."

"Will my friend Betty find the love that she needs?"

"Yes."

"Will I ever be united with one of my own to love?"

"Yes."

"Soon?"

"No."

His heart sinking, but emboldened by the direct answers, the impetuous one pressed on.

"Is it really okay to ask God direct questions about the future?"

"No."

"But You'll give me the right answers if I keep asking anyway?"

"Yes."

The path grew narrow and difficult to travel. The boy - was he a man, or a boy? - realized that he was holding onto this - thing - supposedly God, for dear life. It seemed that the more he asked, the more he needed to know, and the more confused he became.

"Will I have to spend time with that other person?"

"Yes."

"Will it matter in the long run?"

"No."

"So now that I know, can't I choose not to?"

"No."

"You're saying that life is entirely predestined?"

"Yes."

"I thought I had choice."

"Yes."

"So, why do I have to do it?"

"No."

Sasha realized that he couldn't breathe. He wasn't sure who he was really walking with, but the temperature around them was quickly rising. Upset and fearful of the future, he tried to struggle free from the mysterious being. Saying nothing, the being kept a firm grip on his hand and kept on leading him - downhill. Intoxicated by the knowledge, and desperate to obtain the reassurance he craved, Sasha kept on.

"Am I talking to God?"

"Yes."

"Am I really talking to God?"

"No."

"Am I really talking to God?"

"Yes."

"Does me knowing what's going to happen give me the ability to change it?"

"No."

"Why don't I have real choice, then?!"

"Yes."

They came to the end of a path. In front of them was a river with a small canoe floating in it. Sasha climbed in uncertainly after the creature beckoned to him, and soon they were floating comfortably away. Sasha turned to contine his lines of questions, but suddenly found himself quite alone. The canoe started moving faster and faster, and Sasha had no choice but to hold on and wait. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he began to realize the implications of his conversation. Before he could reflect for too long, however, his canoe crashed into shore.

Unsure of what to do, Sasha climbed out of the canoe and began walking along the shore. Presently he came to a hut and wandered close to it. An old woman was inside, and called for him to step in and join her.

"Young man, your heart is heavy. Tell me your troubles..."

Out poured the entire story - the girl, the mistrust, the illness - his studies, his job, his questions. His beginning on the path towards right, and his quest for knowledge and understanding, from the first stubling innocent mistakes to his most recent encounter with the discouraging, contradictory, shadowy figure.

"Ah," sighed the woman "once again, the innocent mortal wanders outside the sphere of hope into a realm where he has no influence. I can do nothing to fix your current reality - I can change nothing about your past or future - I can do nothing to change the choices that you will choose any more than you can choose to disown your very soul. There are two things I could do for you. First, I can make you forget - forget that you ever knew what you know now. Second, I can show you how to break free of your perspectives on life, and show you how to interact with that One on a more personal level. One will leave you as you were before, one will completely transform your being. One will allow you to continue on your former path, and one will lead you closer to the guide you had until he left you in the canoe. Man, decide what your life will be!"

As Sasha spoke his choice in words that trembled almost as much as his hands, he wondered if the tradeoff was going to be worth it.