Strengths and Weaknesses

"I'm sorry," I said. "It's a Board ruling."

"I repeat," he fumed, "It's outrageous! A transparent ploy for breaching the boundary between science and religion! And it's the children who suffer!"

"Well, I don't know about that," I replied noncommittally. "I just know what the rules are, and it's more than my job's worth to cross the Board and ... you know, their constituency."

"Damn the Board and the constituency they rode in on!" he snapped. "Er, pardoning my French."

"But what's wrong with subjecting ideas to debate?" I asked. "Surely, the truth can stand scrutiny?"

"The Truth will prevail!" he snapped, and I did hear the capital T. "But that's not the point. This isn't about honest debate. It's a stalking horse for somebody's agenda. In any case, we're talking about different ... disciplines, if you will, that don't necessarily lend themselves to each other's methods of analysis."

"It's not me," I protested. "I'm just teaching it according to the rules."

"But we're talking about the virgin birth here, man!" he fulminated. "That doesn't lend itself to scientific analysis!"

"Look, I'm with you, Father," I replied, "but the Board rules are very specific: All dogma taught in church schools must be submitted to scientific analysis. My hands are tied."

"Christ!" cried the priest. "Where do they find these hacks?"