The Reverend in his quick, excited tongue, proclaims the end times are near. Every headline becomes an affirmation and a warning. As his excitement grows, he slams his fists on the lectern, stomps across the stage, his pacing accelerates in volume and pitch, until his vaulted voice builds to a battle cry of fire, brimstone, and redemption.

The congregation nods their heads, stoically looking to their sleepy Bibles. Few follow the Reverend’s sermon, but all agree with its immanence.

A child, I wait for the shouts from the congregation, the crowd leaping from their pews or patting knees. I wait for the resounding “Amen,” deafening in its wake, to lunge through the church and spill out into the parking lot.

This essay is published in The Eloquent Atheist click here to read Amen in its entirety.