I was watching CSI, and this diolog stuck me in the heart. Even if you have never watched CSI or know which eposiod I am talking about... please read.
I found this to reflect on my personal stance on religion.
SCENE #35:
[INT. FATHER POWELL'S CHURCH -- DAY]
(GRISSOM walks into the church. FATHER POWELL is near the front of the church
speaking with someone. GRISSOM'S entrance is brought to FATHER POWELL'S
attention and approaches him. GRISSOM sits down on the pew.)
GRISSOM: I know that we've arrested the wrong brother.
(FATHER POWELL sits on the pew in front of GRISSOM.)
GRISSOM: He came to see you as soon as Ben was in custody.
FATHER POWELL: I tried to help ... without breaking my vows.
GRISSOM: (sighs) We both have jobs that begin after the crime.
FATHER POWELL: After the "sin".
GRISSOM: Some people would call that a career in futility.
FATHER POWELL: Some call it a "vocation".
GRISSOM: A hundred years ago we didn't have the technology for fingerprints.
Fifteen years ago, we didn't have DNA. Hopefully one day, we'll have foolproof
means by which to put the right man in jail in this case.
FATHER POWELL: Someday, we won't need jails.
(GRISSOM looks at FATHER POWELL.)
FATHER POWELL: I celebrate mass every Thursday night, 7:00.
GRISSOM: Thank you ... but ... (he shakes his head) ... no.
FATHER POWELL: You don't believe?
GRISSOM: In religion? I believe in God, in science ... in Sunday supper. I
don't believe in rules that tell me how I should live.
FATHER POWELL: Even if they're handed down by God?
GRISSOM: How many crusades were fought in the name of God? How many people
died because of someone's religion?
FATHER POWELL: Fanaticism. Not religion.
GRISSOM: Semantics. They're still dead. I'm sorry about Ben, father.
(GRISSOM stands up.)
FATHER POWELL: You still suffer like a catholic.
(FATHER POWELL also stands up.)
FATHER POWELL: Light bulb goes out other people fix it, get a new one. Light
bulb goes out for the Catholic he stands in the dark says, "What did I do
wrong?"
GRISSOM: That guilt's not in me anymore.
(GRISSOM leaves.)
I found this to reflect on my personal stance on religion.
SCENE #35:
[INT. FATHER POWELL'S CHURCH -- DAY]
(GRISSOM walks into the church. FATHER POWELL is near the front of the church
speaking with someone. GRISSOM'S entrance is brought to FATHER POWELL'S
attention and approaches him. GRISSOM sits down on the pew.)
GRISSOM: I know that we've arrested the wrong brother.
(FATHER POWELL sits on the pew in front of GRISSOM.)
GRISSOM: He came to see you as soon as Ben was in custody.
FATHER POWELL: I tried to help ... without breaking my vows.
GRISSOM: (sighs) We both have jobs that begin after the crime.
FATHER POWELL: After the "sin".
GRISSOM: Some people would call that a career in futility.
FATHER POWELL: Some call it a "vocation".
GRISSOM: A hundred years ago we didn't have the technology for fingerprints.
Fifteen years ago, we didn't have DNA. Hopefully one day, we'll have foolproof
means by which to put the right man in jail in this case.
FATHER POWELL: Someday, we won't need jails.
(GRISSOM looks at FATHER POWELL.)
FATHER POWELL: I celebrate mass every Thursday night, 7:00.
GRISSOM: Thank you ... but ... (he shakes his head) ... no.
FATHER POWELL: You don't believe?
GRISSOM: In religion? I believe in God, in science ... in Sunday supper. I
don't believe in rules that tell me how I should live.
FATHER POWELL: Even if they're handed down by God?
GRISSOM: How many crusades were fought in the name of God? How many people
died because of someone's religion?
FATHER POWELL: Fanaticism. Not religion.
GRISSOM: Semantics. They're still dead. I'm sorry about Ben, father.
(GRISSOM stands up.)
FATHER POWELL: You still suffer like a catholic.
(FATHER POWELL also stands up.)
FATHER POWELL: Light bulb goes out other people fix it, get a new one. Light
bulb goes out for the Catholic he stands in the dark says, "What did I do
wrong?"
GRISSOM: That guilt's not in me anymore.
(GRISSOM leaves.)