The Call...
it must be answered19 total reviews
Comment from royowen
Of course being a Christian, I've often wondered about the established church, but the devil's voice coincides with the human condition, that's why Christ withstood it quite easily, that was His baptism of fire, but somehow if a trusted servant of the church, rather than of God, speaks, the deception is obvious. But this is a great plot, probably a bit longer than it needs to be. Well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Of course being a Christian, I've often wondered about the established church, but the devil's voice coincides with the human condition, that's why Christ withstood it quite easily, that was His baptism of fire, but somehow if a trusted servant of the church, rather than of God, speaks, the deception is obvious. But this is a great plot, probably a bit longer than it needs to be. Well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Yep, it's that weird form of organised religion I have a huge issue with, not faith in itself. Many thanks as always, Roy. Always appreciated. G
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Well done
Comment from damommy
I knew it! It had to be Satan. Poor Callum was led astray, and he never knew until the end. I've always said even things that look good to us are not always from God. This is a perfect example. What a story!!!
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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I knew it! It had to be Satan. Poor Callum was led astray, and he never knew until the end. I've always said even things that look good to us are not always from God. This is a perfect example. What a story!!!
Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Many thanks for the great response and rating Yvonne, but more so for your thoughts on the piece.. G
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You're most welcome!
Comment from Olivanne Marsh
A morality tale to be sure...and pointed. I found it well-written and riveting, but I am not sure I liked or enjoyed it. I suppose that was the point. It seems almost too dark, not a ray of hope to be seen. Or perhaps I missed it. Poor Father Callum's zealousness is his downfall and it makes him unable to discern between good and evil or is it his blindness that makes him unable to see the real work of the devil. I'm glad he's not the narrator of this piece because his kind of madness is unfathomable to me. Also, you hint that he feels guilt about what he's doing, but that doesn't even prompt him to suspect that the messages he's receiving are skewed. Where is his spark of human compassion? Are you saying the devil's minions are humans? Even worse, humans of great misguided faith? I just have questions, lots of them apparently. I like challenges and this was a challenging story.
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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A morality tale to be sure...and pointed. I found it well-written and riveting, but I am not sure I liked or enjoyed it. I suppose that was the point. It seems almost too dark, not a ray of hope to be seen. Or perhaps I missed it. Poor Father Callum's zealousness is his downfall and it makes him unable to discern between good and evil or is it his blindness that makes him unable to see the real work of the devil. I'm glad he's not the narrator of this piece because his kind of madness is unfathomable to me. Also, you hint that he feels guilt about what he's doing, but that doesn't even prompt him to suspect that the messages he's receiving are skewed. Where is his spark of human compassion? Are you saying the devil's minions are humans? Even worse, humans of great misguided faith? I just have questions, lots of them apparently. I like challenges and this was a challenging story.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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No, you're right. It's not a hopeful read or even a comfortable one at that, if you're from a certain persuasion. It's about the decent of the man. The thing is that all it takes is a subtle twist on something to cause massive repercussions and alter perspective.
The guilt thing is interesting, though, as some folks faith does supersede all else. To have faith, you don't need prove, or evidence, or even plain logic, you just need to believe...
I like it when a piece makes folk think - job done! lol
All the best.
G
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I knew early on where you were going with this, because God can do no evil and will never ask that of anybody. We do have evil in today's world attempting to look righteous. It's becoming hard to tell the difference. It's scary. This is very well written and an excellent read.
The plank in my eye has been removed, and so, too ,will yours.' (too, well)
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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I knew early on where you were going with this, because God can do no evil and will never ask that of anybody. We do have evil in today's world attempting to look righteous. It's becoming hard to tell the difference. It's scary. This is very well written and an excellent read.
The plank in my eye has been removed, and so, too ,will yours.' (too, well)
Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Having been a Biblical scholar, i would argue greatly against the statement that God would never ask that of anyone. The Old Testament is littered with examples of this - it can't really be denied. It's there in the text in black & white.
But I worry for the younger folk who have become so obsessed with materialism and isolation.
All the best
G
Comment from Jesse James Doty
This was a surprise ending but it took too long to get there. I read through the many lines and plot changes before I began to skim to the end deciding to end this madness and find some relief from this tension. I know I should have read it, but it gave me too much suffering waiting to see how it would end.
Nice try!
Jesse
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reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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This was a surprise ending but it took too long to get there. I read through the many lines and plot changes before I began to skim to the end deciding to end this madness and find some relief from this tension. I know I should have read it, but it gave me too much suffering waiting to see how it would end.
Nice try!
Jesse
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Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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The whole point is the tension and the descent. I think that the journey to the conclusion needs the tension. It's deliberate, as is the length, to shorten this would make the journey trite and unconvincing. It would become merely a pointed fable. lol
But I always appreciate the input, especially when it gives me something to think about.
G
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Is there a chance there could be too much tension? Maybe this is something to consider. Anyway, glad I gave you something to ponder.
Jesse
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
I guessed the true nature of 'God' very early on, but wanted so much to believe I was wrong. However, guessing doesn't detract from the quality of the writing, and in my book it's worth a six regardless (we all know I spend my whole life solving and creating puzzles, so guessing comes easier than for some). kay
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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I guessed the true nature of 'God' very early on, but wanted so much to believe I was wrong. However, guessing doesn't detract from the quality of the writing, and in my book it's worth a six regardless (we all know I spend my whole life solving and creating puzzles, so guessing comes easier than for some). kay
Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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The ending is really for the character to get some kind of reason for his 'purpose'. It's not really designed as a twist for the reader. To be honest, I'm surprised not more people realise it early on. The story is about the descent and how by twisting the crew ever-so-slightly, perceptions change and things go awry.
Much appreciated. G
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was amazing, Gareth, and the thing is, I think the devil is at play here on Earth already. I don't think God is responsible for all that is happening today, but the devil would be smacking his hands in delight knowing he has done a good job destroying the world. Whether you believe or not, there is good and bad in all of us, it just depends on what voice you want to listen to. The priest was easily swayed to listen to the voice he did, because once he looked back at his parishioners and at how many times he had, through God, forgiven them their sins, only to be doing it again the following week, it would be enough to turn the most saintly of us. This was so well written, my friend, and the twist at the end was fabulous. Well done!! :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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That was amazing, Gareth, and the thing is, I think the devil is at play here on Earth already. I don't think God is responsible for all that is happening today, but the devil would be smacking his hands in delight knowing he has done a good job destroying the world. Whether you believe or not, there is good and bad in all of us, it just depends on what voice you want to listen to. The priest was easily swayed to listen to the voice he did, because once he looked back at his parishioners and at how many times he had, through God, forgiven them their sins, only to be doing it again the following week, it would be enough to turn the most saintly of us. This was so well written, my friend, and the twist at the end was fabulous. Well done!! :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Many thanks for your thoughts on this one, Sandra. I had a lot of fun when I wrote this a while ago, about how easily perception can change with a subtle screw-tightening. Much appreciated as always, G
Comment from BethShelby
Wow! What an eerie story. It seems the priest's father that he prayed to was always Satan. You really put a twist on this story by making him seem so devoit. Always praying and reading the Bible and listening for the voice he believed to be God. I see what the comments under your profile mean about 'likeing to blur the boundries.' Your story was chilling from the beginning. Some believe the Catholic Church is the beast of Revelations but I wasn't expecting that from you.
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reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Wow! What an eerie story. It seems the priest's father that he prayed to was always Satan. You really put a twist on this story by making him seem so devoit. Always praying and reading the Bible and listening for the voice he believed to be God. I see what the comments under your profile mean about 'likeing to blur the boundries.' Your story was chilling from the beginning. Some believe the Catholic Church is the beast of Revelations but I wasn't expecting that from you.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Many thanks for your thoughts on this one. I write whatever comes to me, I don't really have any taboos, other than glorifying certain things. Everything in service to the story. lol
All the best
G
Comment from Rebecca Roberts1
Wow!
I had a dark suspicion something was going to go array.
Voices, so many voices, and the devil can appear as an angel of light as well.
"cleanse them of their sin".
But who will cleanse the priest of his?
Great story.
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Wow!
I had a dark suspicion something was going to go array.
Voices, so many voices, and the devil can appear as an angel of light as well.
"cleanse them of their sin".
But who will cleanse the priest of his?
Great story.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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I actually wrote this a few years ago and there is half a follow up written which I might revisit. lol Many thanks for the great response.
G
