"Follower"

Confucius said, "The Master did not speak of prodigies, force, disorder, or spirits."

Confucius did not worship ghosts or gods, but he valued rites of sacrifice. He sacrificed to his ancestors and parents, expressing heartfelt remembrance and grief for them. Even his requirements for such rites were extremely strict, yet those who believed in him were still heathens.

But even heathens could say sensible things: "To sacrifice to spirits that are not one's own is flattery." To offer sacrifices to ghosts one was not meant to worship was to flatter certain people.

The Eucharist was a "sacrament" preserved by Catholicism, Greek denominations, and Protestants after the Reformation. Even during the dark Middle Ages, people worshipped through painting, music, and fasting.

Venice's Carnival was a festival of feasting and revelry before Lent. They were already unruly enough; Protestants were even less restrained.

If bishops represented corruption, then those without bishops were even more corrupt. What did they think about when receiving Communion?

Bread was bread, and wine was wine. They did not become flesh and blood after being blessed and prayed over, as some believed.

Many people committed sins worthy of crucifixion, yet Christ was nailed to the cross for their sins.

Not all Christians slaughtered Native Americans. It was the sinners exiled by Protestants, and it became an old holiday uniquely invented by Americans themselves.

When they ate turkey and gathered with their families, whom did they think of? The Lord's gifts, or the success of their prisoner ancestors?

Even Britain kept Thanksgiving at arm's length, yet the American president called to offer his greetings.

A pope had once been assassinated by Muslims. Perhaps the American president thought he would therefore harbor hatred.

When the European Union discussed its new constitution in 2003 and 2004, the Holy See failed to