Verse by Moses Roth Read Free Book Online Page A

boy. To Sydney he says, “Well, you can’t really say God in a scientific discussion. Just because we haven’t discovered something, doesn’t mean it’s supernatural. Science has to go with evidence and um, you know? Saying that it was God is like giving up. It leads to silly and arbitrary assumptions.”
    I say, “Silly and arbitrary?” A few students groan. “Why is a religious explanation any more silly and arbitrary than a scientific one?”
    Quaid says, “Scientific reason relies on proof. Religious explanations are unprovable. Because if there were proof, it wouldn’t be religion, it’d just be science.”
    “But you said it yourself, we may not even be capable of comprehending or perceiving the true nature of the universe.”
    “That’s true…”
    “So couldn’t God be a part of that?”
    “It could be, but anything could be…”
    “Yeah, that anything is God.”
    “No. Like I said, God has no place in a scientific discussion.”
    “No place? That’s exactly where we should be discussing God. The problem is when people try to compartmentalize it. We need to be talking about God in a scientific manner, or else both science and religion lose all meaning.”
    “Okay, all right, that’s enough. You’re not even allowed to talk about this.”
    “You were talking about it.”
    “I said the discussion is finished.”
    “Who’s being silly and arbitrary now?”
    “Do you want to see the dean, Man-well?”
    “It’s Man-you-ell.”
    “Fine. Do you want to see the dean, Manuel?”
    “If you want me to, sure, why not?”
    “Fine, you can go see the dean!”
    I stand up, pick up my things, and weave through the desks, past Quaid, and out the door.
    I wait outside Washington’s office till the receptionist says I can go in.
    I sit down in front of him while he watches me. He takes a deep breath and lets it out.
    Finally, he says, “So here you are, facing me, on the first day, just like on the last day.”
    I nod and tell him briefly what happened.
    He says, “Why are you doing this?”
    “Doing what?”
    “Starting conflict like this.”
    “I didn’t start it.”
    “Yes you did. And this isn’t the first time. I’ve tried to stay out of it, despite my misgivings, because I don’t want to interfere in you boys’s social lives, but when you make trouble at school, I have to. You’re a leader to those kids.You have a responsibility to set an example for them.”
    “I do set an example.”
    “I know you do. You know, I’ve gotten some calls from your friends’ parents. Calling out of concern. I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to interfere and I still don’t.”
    “What does this have to do with my argument with Mr. Quaid?”
    “Everything! You’re showing off, trying to make yourself a hero and us teachers the villains. And your friends’ parents say their kids are acting differently. They talk about God a lot. They talk about you. Lord knows I’ve seen it in Sydney. On the other hand he seems happier, he’s doing better in school. And I’m appreciative. And I told them it’s not my job to police who hangs out with whom, or what you talk about, but it’s your responsibility not to lead these kids down the wrong path.”
    “I’m leading them down the right path.”
    “I know you’re a good kid, Manuel. I’m dealing with gangs and drugs and teen pregnancies and you kids are all smart and clean and I want to support you and I don’t have the time or the desire to deal with you making trouble in class.”
    “I’m not making trouble.”
    “Don’t get defensive, Manuel. We talked about you preaching religion at school.”
    “I wasn’t preaching religion!”
    “You’re still telling those kids you’re the messiah!”
    “You can’t censor private conversations.”
    “Outbursts like the one you had in class aren’t private conversations!”
    “It wasn’t just me, Mr. Quaid talked about God too.”
    “And now you have a year of class ahead of you with