Believe it or Not
Atheist/Christian Couple play Devil's Advocate15 total reviews
Comment from Iza Deleanu
WOW, that was a fun and unexpected story, I think you have a winner here my Lady. Your last paragraph is to die for:"After two days of immersion in Dan Barker's Hell, I am, at last, released to the Light, the Truth. I am--unalterably so--secure in my belief; it cannot be shaken. I am at total peace. Christ, the Father, the God, in whom I've put my unwavering trust all my life, can never fail me.
After all, how could God ever fail me--when, thanks to Dan Barker--I know, without doubt, that He does not exist. I can't wait for Ben to come home tonight to give him the good news: that I am a newly-born Atheist!
: Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest.
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2020
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WOW, that was a fun and unexpected story, I think you have a winner here my Lady. Your last paragraph is to die for:"After two days of immersion in Dan Barker's Hell, I am, at last, released to the Light, the Truth. I am--unalterably so--secure in my belief; it cannot be shaken. I am at total peace. Christ, the Father, the God, in whom I've put my unwavering trust all my life, can never fail me.
After all, how could God ever fail me--when, thanks to Dan Barker--I know, without doubt, that He does not exist. I can't wait for Ben to come home tonight to give him the good news: that I am a newly-born Atheist!
: Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest.
Comment Written 28-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 28-Jun-2020
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Thanks Iza--bonus much appreciated--more so your laudatory words! This was the first piece I ever posted, back in January; contest long gone; this got one vote (whether my own, I'll never tell!); I am now in re-promotion mode, having finished posting my backlog. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Mark Valentine
I like the premise to this one - original and creative. I like how you resolve it even more - you didn't take the trite way out, and there is some truth in the realization that there is no telling what might happen to our long-held beliefs if we were to truly question them. Sometimes we believe what we believe just because that's the way we were raised.
Well written - thanks for calling my attention to it.
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2020
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I like the premise to this one - original and creative. I like how you resolve it even more - you didn't take the trite way out, and there is some truth in the realization that there is no telling what might happen to our long-held beliefs if we were to truly question them. Sometimes we believe what we believe just because that's the way we were raised.
Well written - thanks for calling my attention to it.
Comment Written 21-Mar-2020
reply by the author on 21-Mar-2020
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Mark--what a sweet surprise! Generally people don't bother to seek unpaid work! Thanks for looking this up--one of my earliest submissions on this site. Holy Terror was the first--my true story, that!--which experience inspired, in a twisted way my subsequent spawn on this theme. ( "Lights Out" is sort of a hybrid of Believe it or Not and Have You Seen the Light?) Thanks for your interest! Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Elaine Chiodi
Well structured and excellently written transformation tale from both sides of the story. Much like O.Henry, what we seek is not always what has been answered. Good work... ...ec
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Well structured and excellently written transformation tale from both sides of the story. Much like O.Henry, what we seek is not always what has been answered. Good work... ...ec
Comment Written 23-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Thank you Elaine. Surely we shall dance the O. Henry Twist again sometime soon! Cheers. LIZ
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You're welcome... ...ec
Comment from Barbaraj1
This is a wonderful story. It was very clever of you to have them change their beliefs. Now I wonder how they are going to solve this problem. Good
contest entry.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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This is a wonderful story. It was very clever of you to have them change their beliefs. Now I wonder how they are going to solve this problem. Good
contest entry.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Thank you, Barbara. Indeed, I too wonder how they are going to deal with this surprise! Well, at least they are no worse off than before.
Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Carl DeVere
I'm giving this four stars just for the quality of writing and the plot idea. Even though it's supposed to be fiction, it strikes me that convictions held, either way, are not so easily swayed by some technique...or if they are. they are not serious convictions to begin with. If you had not included marriage and a child then I might find this amusing until the predictable end. You have pretty good writing chops. Maybe another genre would be better.
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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I'm giving this four stars just for the quality of writing and the plot idea. Even though it's supposed to be fiction, it strikes me that convictions held, either way, are not so easily swayed by some technique...or if they are. they are not serious convictions to begin with. If you had not included marriage and a child then I might find this amusing until the predictable end. You have pretty good writing chops. Maybe another genre would be better.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Thank you, Carl. Very good point! I appreciate the review. I think of it as 4 stars having being given me, versus having had 1 (or 2) "taken away," as if 5 (or 6) were my due. If you care to, you can view my profile comments on the subject of rankings. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from kleck140
You have stimulated my thinking and it is an enjoyable
reading, as two people in dialogue to determine what is best.
As the old saying goes, "What is always good for the goose,
is not always good for the gander." Keep on writing.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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You have stimulated my thinking and it is an enjoyable
reading, as two people in dialogue to determine what is best.
As the old saying goes, "What is always good for the goose,
is not always good for the gander." Keep on writing.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Thank you! I am pleased you enjoyed the piece. I had quite a time writing it--as reviewer Mary Kay correctly surmises, it was born from my ongoing religious torment. If you are curious, you can read my
true story: "Holy Terror."
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You are most welcome!
Comment from Sallyo
Oh. Dear. Mind you, the situation remains unchanged. The couple is still diametrically opposed, they've just switched ends! This is well-written, funny, and (oh dear) believable. Clever!
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Oh. Dear. Mind you, the situation remains unchanged. The couple is still diametrically opposed, they've just switched ends! This is well-written, funny, and (oh dear) believable. Clever!
Comment Written 21-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Thank you Sally! Indeed, the conflict continues. So glad you enjoyed the story. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Aaqib Naeem
That was a really funny twist and the way you told the story from two different perspectives while giving an insight to the thought process of both a religious and atheist mind was appreciated. This is why you get 6 stars from me!
I enjoyed every bit of the story and I guess that only means it was truly well written! Best wishes for the contest! Cheers
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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That was a really funny twist and the way you told the story from two different perspectives while giving an insight to the thought process of both a religious and atheist mind was appreciated. This is why you get 6 stars from me!
I enjoyed every bit of the story and I guess that only means it was truly well written! Best wishes for the contest! Cheers
Comment Written 21-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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You again! I remember you from my "Holy Terror" days. You probably can see how the torment detailed there inspired this. Cheers. LIZ
Comment from Rikki66
Best wishes with this entry. An updated version of The Gift of the Magi. It is well written coming from both sides of the issue. Well done.
RikkiLXXIII
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Best wishes with this entry. An updated version of The Gift of the Magi. It is well written coming from both sides of the issue. Well done.
RikkiLXXIII
Comment Written 20-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Thank you. Indeed, I love to dance the O. Henry Twist.
Cheers. LIZ
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You are indeed welcome.
Rikki
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
LOL! That backfired perfectly! Now what will happen? What a great story for the faith contest. I had an idea that was going to happen after Ben saw the light, lol! That was a brilliant twist on the faith story. Well done and good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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LOL! That backfired perfectly! Now what will happen? What a great story for the faith contest. I had an idea that was going to happen after Ben saw the light, lol! That was a brilliant twist on the faith story. Well done and good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 20-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Sandra. So glad you enjoyed the tale of the turning of the tables.
Cheers. LIZ
