BACK CULT 4'?m2f Salvation, cults, grace vs works (prop: a gift box labeled "Gift of Salvation" on one side and "Cult Salvation" on the other, with hand-hole on one end) LIZ -- (enters carrying box, shows "Gift" side to audience) AMY -- (enters carrying shopping bags, browsing through bags as she walks) LIZ -- I have a gift for you. AMY -- For me? LIZ -- Yes. AMY -- What's in there? LIZ -- "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." AMY -- That sounds really attractive. I could use some of that. But I... I'm not so sure. (browses through bags) LIZ -- Here, take it. It's a gift from God. AMY -- A gift? LIZ -- Yes. AMY -- You mean it's FREE?! LIZ -- Yes. AMY -- What do I have to do to receive this free gift? LIZ -- Just accept it. (offers box) AMY -- Just accept it. LIZ -- Yes. AMY -- (slides hand into box) What is this? (struggles) There's nothing in there. I'm stuck. LIZ -- (circles Amy, revealing the other side of the box) You're not stuck. You're now a member of the one true church of God. AMY -- The one true church? LIZ -- Yes. AMY -- I... don't remember a mention of one true church in the Bible. If there's one true church, what about all those other churches? LIZ -- They're all works of the devil. AMY -- But they do so much good work. LIZ -- The church has been defiled over the centuries, our church brings religion back to its true foundation. AMY -- I see. LIZ -- As a member of this church you will be required to attend Church and Bible study. AMY -- Bible study. LIZ -- Well, we call it Bible study, but we don't really study the Bible. We study our leaders books and his assessment of the Bible. AMY -- I really wanted to study the Bible. LIZ -- You can't. AMY -- I can't? LIZ -- You won't understand the Bible on your own, not without the instruction of our leader. AMY -- I won't? LIZ -- No. And, of course, you're required to give at least one tenth of your income to the church. AMY -- I'm required? LIZ -- Yes. AMY -- I thought salvation was a FREE gift. LIZ -- It is free to get in. But once you're in, there are requirements to stay in. AMY -- (backs away, unable to remove hand) Well, then, I'm not sure I want to be in. LIZ -- I'm sorry, you can't leave. AMY -- Why not. LIZ -- If you leave, you'll lose your salvation. AMY -- But I thought salvation was a gift. LIZ -- It is. AMY -- It's not a gift if you can take it back. (backs away, unable to remove hand) LIZ -- It's obvious that you lack the faith to be saved. AMY -- Well, maybe I do. But if salvation is a gift, I assumed that God will give me the faith I need. LIZ -- No. You get faith by being a missionary for our church. AMY -- But I don't want to do missionary work. LIZ -- Then, you can't be saved. AMY -- I wished you'd told me this before you offered me this gift. LIZ -- If you think that's bad, wait til I tell you about your family. AMY -- What about my family? LIZ -- If they don't belong to our church, you'll have to sever ties with them. AMY -- You mean I have to stop seeing my family? LIZ -- Not if you can talk them into accepting this free gift. AMY -- Well, I'm pretty sure that if I tell them that the gift is not really free, they won't want to receive the gift. LIZ -- Then, don't tell them that it's not really free. AMY -- That wouldn't be honest. LIZ -- Well, it's YOUR family. If you don't want to see them, it's up to you. AMY -- Listen, I took this GIFT because you promised me love and joy and peace. Where is the love and joy and peace? LIZ -- It comes after you earn your salvation. AMY -- I thought salvation was a gift! LIZ -- Well, it is, but you have to EARN it. AMY -- (struggles, removes hand, exits) No, thanks. You can have your... GIFT. LIZ -- (exiting opposite) Oh, man! What am I going to do now?! If I can't convert someone, I might lose MY salvation! (shouts) Hey! You! Do you want this attractive gift?! ©2008 Bob Snook. Conditions for use: Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it. Pay no royalties, even if you make money from performances. You may reproduce and distribute this script freely, but all copies must contain this copyright statement. http://www.bobsnook.org email: bob@bobsnook.org BACK |