"Father Murray, if that is so , why is it that science and the church get along so poorly? I mean, when are we going to see science and the church on the same page?" the senator asked.
"We most certainly are!" replied the bishop confidently, "The church and science have a common goal: the good of mankind. It's just that we've taken different paths — science uses technology in order to achieve its goal and we use God's Word."
"But don't you think that the Bible somehow denies human evolution?" the senator asked. His question sounded more hostile than interested.
"I think it takes more than a simple reading to interpret the Bible correctly." His tone was firm.
"Are you calling me ignorant?" the senator demanded defiantly.
"No. I'm saying that in order to talk about something, you have to know what you're talking about."
Mrs. Thurlow looked at both of them in distress — in a few minutes her table had been transformed into a battlefield where the bishop was being left on his own to defend himself. He kept a stiff upper lip in the spotlight, but she noticed that there was a little trembling in him. As a religious man living in a time of disbelief, he was used to swallowing toads now and then, but this one had caught him off guard.
(To be continued)
I don't know that it's fair to say the Bishop had yet had to face anything serious. Maybe it's coming?
In fact I think he's doing well and perhaps the senator would do well to calm down... but you're writing this story. ;)
This dialogue is written to describe the back and forth between several characters who think and feel differently. The bishop felt that he was being deliberately attacked by people who were supposed to be friends. It's fiction. It's not meant to be fair or unfair. I'm trying to write without bias. If you think the bishop is doing well, thank you, that's what I wanted to hear. I appreciate your comments and corrections.
It has an old-fashioned tone to it. In Britain today there is a much more multi-cultural environment. The general consensus is that the Bible is the only "Word of God."
Hi @Coral. I would like to read in this context something related to the environment where they are gathered. Some description of the furniture, characters' clothing, social situation, etc.
@T-Newfields). Thank you for your comment.
Hi,@druida. That would be great and good practice , too . But since I'm writing about stereotypes, I'm careful not to show where the story takes place , or where the characters are from. Also, just focusing on dialogue is quite a lot of work. Thanks for commenting.