Prayers of Dread

The scholar concluded, "Our eyes or hands can't cause us to sin. Jesus was using a figure of speech, meant to represent your most valued possessions."

The zealot clapped his empty right eye socket with his right wrist stump. "What a fool I was!" he exclaimed. "Hey, my church is nearby. Please! Share your wisdom with the other worshippers! You might convert more of us!"

Reluctantly, the scholar agreed and soon stood facing a gathering of one-eyed worshippers.

"By a show of hands," she asked. "How many of you take the entire Bible literally?"

Each of them raised a stone.