“To Roland’s relief, Jean de Joinville came to his aid. “Sire, this good knight wants only to preserve your life. Let us all ride together against the Egyptians.””If I ride against them alone, God will protect me,” said Louis.A new figure pushed into the circle. He wore the white surcoat and red cross of a Templar over his mail. With a leap of his heart, Roland recognized Guido Bruchesi. Guido looked at him but did not acknowledge him. He went directly to the King.He spoke quietly but firmly. “Sire, what you have just said is presumption.””I do not see how that could be, brother Templar.” But Louis took his foot out of the stirrup as Roland watched with growing hope. You can always catch Louis’s attention with a religious argument, Roland thought, even on the battlefield.”Sire,” said Guido, “Satan tempted our Seigneur Jesus, telling Him that if He cast Himself down from the mountaintop, angels would lift him up.” Guido cast a sidelong look at Amalric. “You, Sire, are being tempted to ride alone against the whole Egyptian army, expecting God’s protection. You are demanding a miracle. That is presumption.”Louis was silent for a moment. “Perhaps you are right.” Roland let out a long breath.”— Robert Shea
“Only Marxists,” Dr. Iggy concluded, opening the door to usher Joe into the chapel room, “stillbelieve in an objective history. Marxists and a few disciples of Ayn Rand.”— Robert Shea
“The key element in tragedy is that heroes and heroines are destroyed by that which appears to be their greatest strength.”– Robert Shea
“To reject even one major tenet of the religion or to violate one major rule of behavior is enough to get one kicked out – or worse.”– Robert Shea
“Organized religion provides a model of the way all organizations, from the state down to the village garden club, end a price in terms of a member’s freedom of thought and action.”– Robert Shea
“It often happens that when a person possesses a particular ability to an extraordinary degree, nature makes up for it by leaving him or her incompetent in every other department.”– Robert Shea
“One simple way to keep organizations from becoming cancerous might be to rotate all jobs on a regular, frequent and mandatory basis, including the leadership positions.”– Robert Shea