Time is an illusion in the Seventh Dimension.
The Illuminati want Shale’s ancient scrolls, and Shale and Daniel will stop at nothing to protect them. The battle rages from Jerusalem to Shambhala. With the apocalypse looming in the seventh dimension, Shale must choose: mortal love or immortality.
THE EYE stared at me. I
hated that symbol. Mr. Beasley said it represented wisdom, but I didn’t believe
him. I wanted to rip the poster off the wall.
My biology teacher’s voice
brought me back to reality. “Shale, are you ready to begin?”
I stood and approached the
podium, nervously stroking my long brown hair. My legs jiggled like the apps on
my iPhone in wiggle mode. I glanced over at Chumana and Judd, my two opponents
in the debate, and steadied my voice. “I want to assure you, we did not arrive here
in UFOs or evolve from lower life forms. In fact, an all-knowing God created us
in his image, as recounted in the first book of the Bible.”
I clicked on the first
slide from the PowerPoint presentation showing the fresco painting of The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo.
Mr. Beasley interrupted.
“Shale, this isn’t a religion class. We’ve spent six weeks studying evolution.
I expect your arguments to be based on scientific fact, not religious references.”
“Yes, sir. May I
continue?”
He waved his pen. “It’s
your grade.”
The class snickered.
“As I said, the Bible
says we’re the only creatures created in God’s image.”
“Does she believe this stuff?”
a student muttered.
I bit my lip. Seconds
passed. Maybe it would be better to faint and not finish. Somehow, I found my
voice. “What does it mean to be created in the image of God?”
“It means we’re all
gods,” Judd joked.
The room erupted in
laughter.
Chumana rolled her
eyes. “Everybody except Shale Snyder.”
The comments hurt, but
I continued. “We are unique in the universe. God did not even create angels in
his own image.”
“That’s a relief,” another
student said.
A hot flash soaked my
neck in perspiration.
“Have there been changes
in animals? Yes, but God wrote those adaptations into the DNA. Species can change
within the genetic code, but they can’t evolve into a new species. Besides,
most mutations don’t help animals to survive.”
Mr. Beasley interrupted
me again. “Name one scientist who agrees with you.”
“You can order Dr. Hugh
Ross’s book from Amazon, A Matter of
Days: Resolving a Creation Controversy.”
Mr. Beasley was
nonplussed, but then a snarky smile covered his lips. “If there was a God who
created everything, would you agree that evolution improved upon his creation?”
“Oohs” and “ahhs” filled
the room. I glanced at Chumana and Judd as they jotted down notes. They would defend
their positions when I finished.
Too many students appeared
bored. Apathy seemed to be a common denominator when it came to God. I ignored
Mr. Beasley’s question and continued with my prepared speech.
“I don’t believe it’s
ethical to perform genetic experiments combining species or to attempt to
create a perfect human—or any new animal.”
“And stop medical advancement
that could lead to a cure for cancer and other diseases?” a boy interrupted.
“My father is dying and you want me to believe in a God who would rather let
him die than find a cure? DNA research can lead to cures.”
Applause erupted.
I countered his
statement. “But do humans possess the heart of God? Are we intelligent enough that
we can alter the genetic code only for good and not evil?”
Mr. Beasley stood. “Shale,
you were to present arguments against evolution, not champion your religious
beliefs. Because your statements are offensive to students in this class, I
must ask you to stop your presentation and take a seat.”
My face and neck felt on
fire as I stumbled from the podium. I dropped one of my cards. I started to
pick it up, but Mr. Beasley reached it first. He handed me the card and
whispered, “Nice try, Shale, but God has no place in the scientific community. Superstition
and science don’t mix.”
I returned to my seat.
Rachel smiled reassuringly. “Good job.”
I appreciated her
praise, but Mr. Beasley’s opinion was the only one that mattered. He’d probably
give me a failing grade, and I’d have to retake the class to graduate.
I glanced out the
window. Dark, menacing clouds hinted at a brewing storm.
Mr. Beasley pointed his
pen at Judd. “The podium is yours.”
Judd stood. As he
leaned on the podium shuffling his papers, several girls ogled him. His dark,
clear complexion, curly hair, and deep-set eyes made him a prize catch, but he
had nothing on Daniel Sperling, my friend from the seventh dimension. If only
he were here and could rescue me from this sea of ridicule.
Judd exuded confidence.
“Evolution has been accepted as scientific theory by reputable scientists for
the past hundred years, since Charles Darwin published his famous thesis on
animal selection. We are evolving as humans.
“Sometime, in the
not-too-distant future, we will possess the necessary knowledge to create a perfect
human. There will be no more death or disease.
“The goal of the New
World is to create a civilization ruled by a one-world government where the
fittest survive.”
Judd paused to let his
words sink in. He wagged his pencil. “Even now, we are on the threshold of
opening a door to the future where we can take the best of each species and
create a new one.”
He chuckled. “Imagine the
woman of your dreams, perfectly shaped, who can hear like a wolf and see like an
eagle—who wouldn’t want the perfect woman?”
Whistles and catcalls
shot up around the room. Others clapped approvingly.
“Once humans have
evolved beyond imperfection, we will no longer be limited. In fact, we will become
as gods.”
Judd was on an
unstoppable roll, and students embraced every word he uttered. He clicked on
the PowerPoint wildly, and photographs of unusual animals popped up on the
screen.
“Scientists at CERN are
hoping to recreate the beginning of the universe with the hadron collider in
France and Switzerland—even open doors to other dimensions. God has put no
limits on our abilities. The Age of Aquarius has dawned, and the New World promises
the utopia for which we all long, etched in our DNA through evolutionary
processes.”
A photograph of a
strange creature appeared on the screen labeled “Statue of Lord Shiva at CERN.”
I quickly jotted down the caption to learn more about it later.
“We have much to look
forward to as scientists discover new ways to create computers to think like
humans. Soon we will be able to grow animals in test tubes that mimic human-like
qualities. These robots will be programmed to perform the mundane tasks of day-to-day
living, allowing humans to enjoy a more fulfilling life.”
Students stood and
cheered.
After several minutes, Mr.
Beasley stood. “Thank you, Judd, for that outstanding presentation. We all need
hope for a better tomorrow.”
He glanced at Chumana. She
was the only redheaded girl in the class, and her hot-tempered personality matched
it. I didn’t know how I had survived sharing an apartment with her when my
mother and I first moved to Atlanta.
Who did she hate more,
God or me? What crazy story would she present today? I hoped it wouldn’t
include her latest obsession with UFOs.
*~*~*`*
