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When a believer and a non-believer discuss religion, they are both usually talking to deaf ears. Each is convinced that the other is misguided, and that his or her views can therefore be dismissed with disdain.
That is the way it might have been between the two young people at the centre of this story, had it not been for one thing: John is in love with Yvette. Only by treating Yvettes's belief with respect, does John stand any chance of dissuading her from her determination to become a nun.
What he does is basically to say "OK. Let's assume that everything the Bible says is correct. How can we then explain these observable facts, which appear to contradict the Bible?" He tries to say it, of course, in a more imaginative--and humorous-- way. In the course of doing so, John comes up with several intriguing new ideas, presented here for the first time. Their discussions take place against a backdrop of winter wonderland and boistrous Christmas celebrations.
The notes at the back of the book are in no way essential to the understanding or enjoyment of the story. They are provided solely for the benefit of those unfortunate souls (the author must sheepishly confess to being amongst their number) who are unable to relax until they have checked out the facts for themselves.
Topics given extensive coverage in the end notes include (but are not limited to)- The Infinite Monkey Theorem
- The Stauffenberg plot to assassinate Hitler
- Bride of Christ
- The postulated dual nature (God and man) of Jesus
- Contradictions in the Bible
- Logical proof that in any system which contains a contradiction it is possible to prove anything
- Basic tenets of Muslim belief
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