July 1,2005. This letter concerns the means of distinguishing the demonic from the divine, and presents the Christian case for conformity to the characteristics of the divine model and opposed to the demonic.

To the Editors of the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Thanks to Saddie Fields (AJC 6/30/05) for her insights concerning morality and religion. The notion that without religion we could not have known right and wrong is refuted by Mrs. Fields' own bible (Genesis 3:22). In fact, this right and wrong that we know independently of religion is a helpful means of distinguishing a religion from a cult. The cult can be considered as a work of a demon while a religion can be counted as a work of God. But no one, not even Abraham or Paul or Mohammed, can tell by looking and listening that some apparition before him is a work of God. That it is supernatural may be clear enough, but that doesn't' prove it is the work of God.

There is a sure guide in distinguishing a possible divine work from a possible demonic work. A divine work will not call for wrong to be done while in a demonic work right and wrong are to take second seat to the command of the demon, even if some ostensibly right actions are also occasionally commanded as a demonic subterfuge. And so if right is supreme according to some revelation, then that could be a divine work and is certainly not a demonic work. If the command is supreme over right and wrong, then regardless of what else it may command, it is not a work of God.

Mrs. Fields will admit that in Job we know that demons may have considerable leeway to mock God's creation, and it is imperative that every would-be religion have a clear sign of the divine which, for humans, can be only in terms of right and wrong. The Christian religion provides this certification via such as the John 5 icon of their leader actually breaking revealed law. The implication of this is clear: the Christian is not permitted to interpret any alleged revelation in such a way that calls for a wrong and not for what is right, for right is here established as supreme over all revelation.

And so thank goodness that moral knowledge precedes religion (even if moral fervor is subdued until after religion)), for it is by that alone that the human species can make some distinction as to what might be a communication from God.

Philip McPherson Rudisill