own. Should his finances be questioned, too?"
"My father declares his income every year," she replied.
"My father can explain where every penny comes from. Can you do the same?"
"Of course," he stated emphatically.
"Your lies and innuendos do not fool God's chosen people. Many have tried to distract the righteous from the path of the Lord, but the Holy Crusade will march on. The Holy Crusade will not allow Satan to succeed."
"Can you address these supposed lies?" Sara asked.
"Can you be more specific?"
Sanders looked up and shook his head.
"Satan uses words to twist goodness and righteousness and make it appear evil," he explained like a school teacher lecturing an insubordinate student, "but we will not be fooled. We live in a society today that is overrun with immorality, but we stand firm.
What has happened to family values and ethics in this country, Miss. Lowell?
God- fearing people like my wife Dixie and I can't raise our children in this society anymore. Children are forced to attend public schools where God has been expelled but homosexuals are welcome. Does the Lord not tell us "
"Excuse me, sir, but you were about to address the issues raised in our report."
"What issues? "tour show does not address the real issue in America.
I'm talking about Armageddon, Miss. Lowell. The members of the Holy Crusade understand what is happening.
They understand that we are living in an era of Sodom and Gomorrah, that heretics and infidels are attacking God. Dixie and I are doing the Lord's work, but He helps us along. He gives us signs which you choose to ignore."
"The report spoke of your financial "
"Take what you call the AIDS virus, for example," Sanders interrupted, his voice rising to a fever pitch.
"What you call the new phenomenon of AIDS is just the final chapter of Sodom and Gomorrah. God is clearly striking down the wicked, immoral homosexuals and perverts with His plague."
"Reverend Sanders "
"Why is that so hard for you to believe?" he asked quietly, his smile brighter now, his eyes twinkling.
"Most Americans believe in the Lord's work as transcribed in the Bible.
Why then is it hard to believe He can still act in our present age? We have no trouble accepting the plagues of ancient Egypt. So why is it so hard to accept the plague of modern America? And woe to him who does not take heed. The sinners, Miss. Lowell, there is no place left for them to hide. If AIDS is not a sign of what is to come, if AIDS does not make you accept the Lord as you only salvation and repent, then nothing will show you the light. You are doomed."
Sara closed her eyes and tried to keep her temper in check.
She knew that she should keep to her line of questioning, that it would be a mistake to get off the subject of his financial improprieties. But her temper had other ideas.
"And what about the other victims, Reverend Sanders?" she asked, struggling to maintain an even tone.
"The other victims?"
"Yes, what about the so-called innocent victims of AIDS, the newborn babies born with the deadly disease or the people who contract the virus through blood transfusions? How do you explain the fact that AIDS is now the leading cause of death among hemophiliacs?"
Again that damn smirk of a smile.
"I do not explain it, Miss. Lowell. I explain nothing. The Bible does it for me. Read the Lord's words and you will see for yourself. The Bible tells us that not all living creatures in Noah's time were cruel and heartless, yet the Lord chose to save only the creatures upon Noah's ark. And in the story of Moses, why were the innocent forced to suffer through the hosts of plagues that besieged Egypt? The Bible gives us a simple answer, Miss. Lowell. The Lord moves in mysterious ways. Who are we to question His ultimate plan? I know, I know, it's an old cliche, but it happens to be true. You cannot deny that the vast majority of those stricken with God's plague are abnormal people with perverse lifestyles, but yes, the innocent must on occasion pay for the sins of their brethren. That is why I ask all of you to return to God now, repent before it's too late. God will not allow a cure to be found until he rids the planet of the immoral " Nice move, Sam. She had played right into his hands, allowing the butt head to get on his soapbox and preach.