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Devil in the Dock
Set in the modern-day, this is a 7,500-word short story satire that imagines a grand court case in which the Devil, Satan, is called to account for all his mischief and evil wrong-doings throughout history. Knowing that the best form of defence is a good offence, the Devil goes on the attack from the start, first questioning the history and background of Jesus, the gospels, and the supposed miracles and supernatural mythology of the time. In Satan's defence, a number of witnesses are called, namely many of the great free-thinkers throughout history, who systematically discredit much of the mythology and fantastical claims of the Bible and the Christian religion. Amid the judicial proceedings, there are a number of exchanges between the Devil, God's court representative St. Augustine, and several notable characters from history.
Warning: This story/satire is written from the viewpoint of an atheist. The writing is intended to be darkly humorous, and to some extent, quite mocking/scathing in the tone and approach it takes with the subject matter. There is no deliberate intention to shock or offend those of the Christian faith or belief, so with that in mind, please be aware this satire contains material that some people so minded may find disagreeable or offensive.
Warning: This story/satire is written from the viewpoint of an atheist. The writing is intended to be darkly humorous, and to some extent, quite mocking/scathing in the tone and approach it takes with the subject matter. There is no deliberate intention to shock or offend those of the Christian faith or belief, so with that in mind, please be aware this satire contains material that some people so minded may find disagreeable or offensive.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2019
About the author
P.A. Rudders
15 books6 followersFrom wielding a rifle and donning the gloves, a pen and a pad are now the tools of my trade ... Carry on Writing!
UK based writer, author, blogger, and book reviewer. Born in London, United Kingdom. Having retired, P.A. Rudders now lives in Wales, where he enjoys his love of the outdoors as well as pursuing his passion for creative writing.
***
Never a tinker or even a tailor, though once a soldier and an occasional sailor. I’ve fought my battles in many a playground and field, with make-believe guns and then riot shields. I’ve stood my ground toe to toe in the ring. But now I’m older and maybe a tiny bit wiser, wondering now what the future may bring.
I’ve hung up my gloves and also the guns, put aside my days and life as a lad, exchanged them all for a screen and keypad. And now it’s my characters that march, where I fear to tread. And when they die they really stay dead, no miraculous recoveries or surreal shower scenes, or of waking up from a season-long dream.
Each word that I write strives to leap from the page, each page that I write urging the reader onto the next. I write what I know and imagine the rest. I write in black and white, leaving your imagination to make of it what you might. If all you want is simplicity and colour from the start, something to satisfy an instant entertainment fix, there’s always cable or even Netflix.
We live in an age of instant information, of every type of visual stimulation, and worst of all, of effortless entertainment. Read on then, dear reader, if you like what you’ve read, I promise I won’t let it go to my head (actually that’s a lie, we authors have an ego the size of a city).
UK based writer, author, blogger, and book reviewer. Born in London, United Kingdom. Having retired, P.A. Rudders now lives in Wales, where he enjoys his love of the outdoors as well as pursuing his passion for creative writing.
***
Never a tinker or even a tailor, though once a soldier and an occasional sailor. I’ve fought my battles in many a playground and field, with make-believe guns and then riot shields. I’ve stood my ground toe to toe in the ring. But now I’m older and maybe a tiny bit wiser, wondering now what the future may bring.
I’ve hung up my gloves and also the guns, put aside my days and life as a lad, exchanged them all for a screen and keypad. And now it’s my characters that march, where I fear to tread. And when they die they really stay dead, no miraculous recoveries or surreal shower scenes, or of waking up from a season-long dream.
Each word that I write strives to leap from the page, each page that I write urging the reader onto the next. I write what I know and imagine the rest. I write in black and white, leaving your imagination to make of it what you might. If all you want is simplicity and colour from the start, something to satisfy an instant entertainment fix, there’s always cable or even Netflix.
We live in an age of instant information, of every type of visual stimulation, and worst of all, of effortless entertainment. Read on then, dear reader, if you like what you’ve read, I promise I won’t let it go to my head (actually that’s a lie, we authors have an ego the size of a city).
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 4, 2019
A short story which is part comedy and part allegory illustrating opposing doctrines of atheism and Christian religious beliefs - I really liked this. The humour works to dampen any possible offence that might be caused by the subject matter. Saying that, I didn't take any offence at any of it and I hold quite strong religious convictions which are only part Christian.
I loved the characterisation, in particular of the prosecuting and defence counsels: Saint Augustine of Hippo & Anton Le Vey respectively - The idealistic sycophant and the celebrity chasing self promoting founder of the Church of Satan.
The choice of witnesses was cool too, from the reticent philosopher, Bertrand Russell, to the anthropologist pagan inspired author of the Golden Bough.
The trial of the Devil turns into a fine debate which shows that the author is well read in mythology mysticism, and theology. My only complaint was that both Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking were not involved. If they had, the debate could have added a great comical touch to the real debate which lies between theology, mysticism, and atheism.
Clever and humorous and well thought out debate.
I loved the characterisation, in particular of the prosecuting and defence counsels: Saint Augustine of Hippo & Anton Le Vey respectively - The idealistic sycophant and the celebrity chasing self promoting founder of the Church of Satan.
The choice of witnesses was cool too, from the reticent philosopher, Bertrand Russell, to the anthropologist pagan inspired author of the Golden Bough.
The trial of the Devil turns into a fine debate which shows that the author is well read in mythology mysticism, and theology. My only complaint was that both Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking were not involved. If they had, the debate could have added a great comical touch to the real debate which lies between theology, mysticism, and atheism.
Clever and humorous and well thought out debate.
June 10, 2019
As a classical scholar, albeit an unwilling one, and a Christian, I could have written this book. Could have; none of the content crossed my mind in the context P. A. Rudders presents it. Doubtless, it will offend Christians, and possibly Muslims too, but it makes fascinating reading for anyone prepared to study it. After all, what did happen to the slaughtered children of Jerusalem? Who, precisely, did it on King Herod’s orders, and why do no records of mass burials exist? Two millennia is a very long time for anything to be retained, so my judgement is suspended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews