Three scientists — Papaia, Banani, and Ravioli — and their assistant Igor, who work at NASAL, begin to take an interest in creationism. Alarmed, their superiors send them to a psychologist, Professor Faggioli — a shady character determined to get them fired by making them seem insane.
We are in Professor Faggioli’s office, where Ravioli is undergoing evaluation.
FAGGIOLI
Let’s get to the point, Dr. Ravioli. Your colleagues claim you’ve expressed… sympathy for creationist ideas.
Is that true?
RAVIOLI
Well… it depends on what you mean by “creationist.” Like, the universe had a beginning… and everything that has a beginning also has a cause… and without the universe, and without a Creator, there would be nothing… because nothing comes from nothing…
FAGGIOLI
Stop that immediately! We don’t care where the universe comes from. We care about confirming the Big Bang!
RAVIOLI
Yes, yes! The Big Bang! I believe in it, I do! I’m not saying an explosion builds things…
FAGGIOLI
You know very well, Ravioli, that it’s not just a simple explosion… you should know that better than me!
RAVIOLI
Ah, right! There’s dark matter… antimatter… never found! But someday… who knows?
FAGGIOLI
Are you questioning the model?
RAVIOLI
No, no! How could you think that, Professor?
FAGGIOLI
The Big Bang is true because scientists and textbooks say it is! Are you, by any chance, questioning Nobel Prize winners? Hmm?
RAVIOLI
(Scared)
No, no, no! Of course not, Professor! I’d never dare!
FAGGIOLI
Are you sure, Ravioli? Who are you to question? You’re NOBODY!
Ravioli jumps in his seat.
RAVIOLI
Of course! I’m nobody!
FAGGIOLI
And that book of yours? The one you talk about to everyone? The one with the five facts?
RAVIOLI
Well, yes… maybe I’ve mentioned it a bit… but it’s because I find it so… how can I put it… crazy!
FAGGIOLI
Crazy, huh? And why?
RAVIOLI
Because it presents five historical facts: the crucifixion of Jesus… the fact that the disciples were sincerely convinced they had seen him risen in the flesh… the early creeds of oral tradition, like the one in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, affirming Jesus’ divinity, death, and resurrection, and dated just a few years after his death… then Paul’s conversion, a former Church persecutor who claimed to have seen the risen Jesus with his own eyes… and James, Jesus’ brother, who went from skeptic to leader of the Jerusalem Church and eventually died for his faith…
So, the resurrection is the only explanation that accounts for all five facts.
Crazy, right?
FAGGIOLI
Yes, yes, and you fall for it like a fool! Who said that? Some preacher?
RAVIOLI
Well, actually it’s what the critics say. I mean, liberal scholars — the ones who don’t believe in supernatural events.
FAGGIOLI
Wait… are you saying these facts are accepted even by critics?
RAVIOLI
Exactly! Not only do they not believe in Jesus… they actively look for errors and contradictions in the Bible!
FAGGIOLI
Exactly! And you fall for it like an amateur! They use the Bible to prove the Bible! It’s a vicious circle, Ravioli!
RAVIOLI
No, no! There are also external sources, and mainstream scholars analyze the New Testament like any other biased historical text.
FAGGIOLI
You’re telling me the material comes from scholars who don’t believe?
RAVIOLI
Exactly! These scholars hold to a naturalistic position, but regardless of their personal beliefs, they’re forced to acknowledge the five facts because of the sheer amount of historical evidence!
FAGGIOLI
So you’re saying that even if the Bible is full of errors, it doesn’t matter… because that doesn’t invalidate the five facts?
RAVIOLI
Exactly! But, just to be clear… I don’t actually believe any of this!
FAGGIOLI
(Interested)
Really?… To me… it actually sounds like a pretty convincing argument.
RAVIOLI
(Surprised)
Really?
FAGGIOLI
Yes. Why not?
RAVIOLI
If you want… I can lend you the book…
Ravioli rummages in his lab coat pocket, pulls out the book, and offers it to Faggioli. The latter snatches it violently from his hands.
FAGGIOLI
Aha! Gotcha, Ravioli! And I’m confiscating this book right now! Your superiors upstairs will find this very interesting.
RAVIOLI
Oops…
FAGGIOLI
Dr. Ravioli, you must stick to conventions! You can’t go around thinking about these things! These creationist statements are outright rebellion!
RAVIOLI
Uh… really?
FAGGIOLI
And do you know what we do to rebels, Tony?
(Faggioli pulls out a worn-out sock and starts moving it like a puppet.)
TONY (Faggioli’s voice)
We get them… FIRED! Ah ah ah! FIRED!
IGOR
Faggioli claims NASAL fires anyone who believes in the supernatural…
But I don’t think that’s quite the case…
Honestly, instead of Ravioli’s book, Faggioli should show his superiors Tony!
🤣🤣🤣
His imaginary friend!
🤣🤣🤣