Prison on Friday:

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Friday at the prison was another day of being an observant student of the scripture for the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

One inmate prefers the High Mass with all the options recognizing in prison not all the essentials found in a Catholic Church are available. 2nd inmate prefers the low Mass without all the extra trimmings. 3rd inmate would rather I would speak.

Any conflict or differing opinion? Here is the lesson – hope you can follow?

I am open and willing to listen almost always – a risk at times. Secondly I actually know what the guidance of the the Roman Catholic Mass is! It’s written down in a document acronym = “GIRM”. General Instruction of the Roman Missal. In this guidance there exists a decider-in-chief (my word). this person is an ordained clergyman.

“The one who Presides”

The title used for this person is the one who “presides”. If you will; in order from lowest to highest. A deacon, priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal and pope! I seldom encounter the higher orders.

Since I was the only clergyman by default, I am one who presides and decides based upon the options allowed in the GIRM.

So as it happened at first the inmates wanted to express his wishes for the group what is included in our Catholic Communion Service. He suggested we vote! I can’t find a voting rule in the GIRM?

Seems to me the input I was receiving from three inmates did not exactly match up! Could there possibly be conflict? What is the objective or Mass anyway or a Communion Service?

The Word of God and the Eucharist – United:

Seems to me the focus is on the Eucharist! The best source of Spiritual nourishment for the Body of Christ (us)! Should we be united?

Oh and then there were those Readings we are supposed to digest!

The Word of God:

Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a To be tested by affliction! To find out what our intentions are? hmm?

And then there was the manna! Not by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Did we hear it?

Did we pay attention?

1 Cor 10:16-17 Because the loaf is one, we tough many, are one body! Anyone pick on that? United?

Jn 6:51-58 The Jews quarreled! Can you imagine that? The point of the lesson didn’t strike home with me until after the “Go in Peace”

Peace please: did anyone hear those last words?

The Lesson of human nature leaped into the room! One lifer to the other! I heard about you and who you are here, not who you present yourself to be and in other prisons as well! What – such trustworthy institutions! Wow! Oh the buttons so well hidden we can push! Second lifer – well I have heard about who you as well!

Holy Smokes – the Body of Christ! I think I heard we are not saints?

I ask did we just a minuet ago say the “Our Father”! Didi I fall asleep?

I think the good Lord gave me a reminder about the human condition and why we have to empty ourselves so there is room enough for the Holy Spirit to enter and begin to change us!

Yes, I will return and I will be praying to the Holy Spirit for the words of life to overcome human natures ability to set original on a shelf where it can lash out into the open and do harm!

Forgive me Father – be my guide, renew my spirit and guide my words as I venture into humanities mess to attempt to overcome man’s original stumbling block sin with your words to heal the wounds and brokenness that surrounds!

When we fall down – get back up – have faith and trust the Holy Spirit really is working! Amen!

One last point! So who thinks they are superior to these inmates? No back biting in our world!

Where did I put that mirror?

Remember if you can! Jesus came for the sinner!

GIRM is the Word:

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General Instruction of the Roman Mass (GIRM)

There is this fellow who went to prison to celebrate the “Body and Blood of Christ”! “Corpus Christi”. Kinda like “what do you have in mind for me today Lord?

On this day a new lifer inmate arrived. I have found him to be very knowledgeable of the Catholic Faith. His spiritual leaning comes through ever so strongly. Suffice it to say he favors the inclusion of all the options celebrated at what is referred to as a “High Mass”. Singing – everything option allowed by Mr. GRIM!

Now in the room another lifer inmate who clearly indicates a preference for a simpler celebration – i.e. the “Low Mass”! Not too much into singing etc.

See any Conflict?

After a long laborious discussion of options a “Communion Service is celebrated since no priest is available. The readings used for this day can be found in “Feast of Corpus Christi”!

Could be there existed some conflict within the community in the readings. The inmates proclaimed the First and Second Readings. My friend proclaimed the Gospel according to John!

Jesus sought to teach the people about the crushed and broken grains of wheat and the crushed and broken grapes. Hmmm! It was the crushing that transformed the wheat and grapes into a mix where the individual parts could not be discerned. In fact they had been transformed into unity of oneness! The symbol of dying in one form necessary to make way and enable a rising in a new united spiritual form we call the sacred people of God! Emphasis is on being united which can only happen when one is willing to forgive as in the “Our Father”.

My friend stood in disbelief when the inmates were sent – these two fellows brought up various reputations that had been heard and spread apparently not just this prison but within the greater state prison system (multiple prisons – the underground word spreads!) My friend didn’t have a clue in regard to the specific’s of these.

Oh my!! Imagine we just celebrated the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ and the spirit of division struck with surprising speed! Yes “What do you have in mind for me today Lord it a nerve”!

What’s the Objective of the Liturgy?:

Now what??? A lesson in GRIM is forthcoming! It is not up for debate and not a vote! The one who presides is the the decider-in-chief! Why? Objective of the Liturgy is to follow the Grace and Spirit of Ordination. It’s not that people can not or are not allowed to express the options they prefer! Certainly one who presides will listen with an open ear.

Hidden in the Conflict is the potential Spirit that divides:

The question hidden in the conflict of preferences is “not the individual” but rather the spirit and grace needed to form the unity of the Body of Christ! This applies to every group of people who seek to become “the Body and Blood of Christ in the world full of the complexities of human preference. Perhaps better said can each individual person empty themselves – die to self – in order that the grace and unity of spirit of the Body and Blood of Christ can be set sent into the world as each individual travels the road ahead on the journey Home!

Walking Dead:

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Funny title!!! But so true in many ways. To be specifically something with a title yet to be held at arms length! Kinda like having “BO” but you don’t know it! Yikes – I must stink!

An Encounter with the Walking Dead:

Sometimes words just get in the way! Another funny thing we can speech even more powerfully by what we do. Made many trips to Newnan, Georgia for example. Yikes – traveled to the bowels of Atlanta from 1990-2000 during the HIV/AIDS crises sitting among people who thought the disease was a death sentence. Uncomfortable is the word. The place one can hear the voice of the soul crying out! There I encountered people who thought they were the walking dead.

Imagine Jesus Christ the very first Walking Dead and then Jesus calling us to follow! Yep! He had but a single requirement – Oh man – pick up your cross and follow me! A Dead Man – the Living Bread who told us I have life because of the Father. Do you suppose He came so we might have New Life even when it seems clear we are held at arms length (rejected might be a better word) as though we have some sort of serious disease?

Yes He came to start a fire! To do this he became human like us! We can not separate Jesus from His mother Mary! Yep a woman – no man or male could replace.

Body, Blood, Soul all part of a mixture –> the Divine Plan of Salvation.

Jesus the Lamb! Do we know what a lamb is? A young sheep – a prime source to be sacrificed – food for the body — oh and Jesus slaughtered / sacrificed by human with souls! We bring our own broken nature every where we go! Where I ask do we take this broken spirit / soul that cries out to be transformed and healed? To who do we go?

Buried and Hidden Treasure:

Where oh where do we look to find this buried and hidden treasure? In a cross? In communion, unity, the Eucharistic Sacrifice! Come to me all you who hunger and thirst! Come to me all you who seek healing of Body, mind and soul!

Consider wax is heated until it melts! Then and only then can it be poured as melted wax and transformed into the Body of Christ! Yes the Church!

Discernment – wow – a word that requires transformation and understanding. Attitude, heart, spirit, broken all necessary to enter into communion – one body!

Women – Mother Church

Everything flows through Mary, the human whose “Yes” opened the door for God to enter into human flesh. Born to walk in this world! The die in this world!

And Yes to become the first Dead Man Walking and Talking!

I hope and pray – have faith and trust – yes this very Jesus has lead me on a journey of the walking dead!

Congratulations Molly

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Hey Molly

Time to begin in earnest the entry into the adult world after High School. Congratulations!

College gives you a few more years to delay your entry. We wish you well and pray for your folks!

Hope one day you can find the time to actually meet my wife and I. Yea, like or not, we are your grand parents! We would love to meet you one day!

Human natures resistance is in the wind from the beginning!

Fight or Flight – Stress – Lessons from the Past:

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Routine Visit – Ha!

Routine visit to the Prison today! Haha on me! Did I tell you my prayer regarding my visits to prison often where I discover I am more a student than a teacher. And the normal prayer for me is this: “What do you have in mind for me today Lord”?

Start with Prayer – Heck the Whole thing is a Prayer:

Hope I don’t disappoint!!! Yep, I go to Mass, am entrusted with the Eucharist and quickly on my way via my (truck) chapel where I pray all the way! Not possible some say!!! Have ya ever ridden in my truck with me?

Mother Church:

Yes mam! I get to prison on time. Oh my the main gate scanner isn’t working! Rummage through my carry in clear see through pack is quickly completed.

Deeper and Deeper:

Walk through the next 5 locked gates and encounter two of my boys (haha on me they are inmates in for life)!! What the heck is going on? Met almost immediately met by the Chaplin – taken aside – not normal! Escorted out of the room and trying to ask questions as we walk fast! Holy Smokes – that room almost packed with inmates are – are – are – the Chaplin told me = they are ALL Lifers! Something new I have never encountered to date. Hmmm – you talken to me Lord?!

On to the next building – am told wait here while I check for a room! In library I see uniformed individuals sitting across from an inmate! Then Holy Smokes here come a bunch of lifers from the first room I passed headed straight into my space. How do I know? One of them is the first inmate I introduced you to last week who was the first encountered years ago when I first began. He comes and stands right next me.

Finally I begin to get the drift of what is taking place! Yep the Good Lord has something to remind me about today. Now my old friend! Yikes did I just write a lifer inmate if my old friend! Whew – another reminder – long ago I called – er – perhaps better said “SENT” to be taught by an unseen advocate – maybe I should call this spirit my tail gate defender who covers my back!

Have I lost you yet? My old friend tells me. I remind you he is standing there right at my side – he informs me he is waiting to be interviewed regarding his potential parole!

Life’s Roller Coaster Ride:

Have you ever been on a roller coaster! You know up up up the hill followed by oh my — my stomachs — am I gonna lose it’s contents as the roller coaster’s bottom falls accelerating downhill! Do you get the drift of the intensity of the moment? My old friend asks me to pray for him – he is sweating what words he need to use????? The the silent “HELP” is heard!!!!!!!!! Lord Have Mercy! Intense – stress – I can’t run away – I can’t hide – I must hang tough! What do I say???

Flash back – here we go again! Maybe some of you have heard that the air traffic controllers job is one of the most stressful job that exists! Some experts have said so. I myself spent some serious time in the world’s busiest Air Traffic Facilities! I have watched unbelievable things happen to air traffic controllers in seconds. Don’t recall I ever told this you learn but don’t talk about! Here it is!

Smell It?

Haha you gonna have ta wait! Best I can do to replicate a roller coaster ride. Recently I heard a very high level Catholic clergyman state that Jesus called his disciples to be shepherds. Shepherd – not a word to be lightly understood! And to be an effective shepherd, one must spend some serious very close encounter quality time among the sheep – yes – so much so that the shepherd takes on the smell of the sheep.

I sure hope this analogy works! Did you know the body of an air traffic controller develops stress related bad breath until eventually the body adapts to the pressure cooker! Yes I learned I know the smell of stress! Chicago O’Hare 1970’s. Unexpected flashback for an old man in May 2023. Yes that is just part of what the good Lord had in mind for me today!

Summary: Man that roller coaster ride can be gruesome as ones hopes, dreams and emotions wrap there arms around ones soul.

What do I do? Oh What do I do? – Suffering – Preparation in Hiding:

So what does one say??? You have been preparing for this day 35 + years. What’s most essential is your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and the Advocate! Breathe out and then when you breathe in – suck in the Holy Spirit hidden in the cross named hurry up and wait! You are more ready more than you know! Have faith and trust in the spirit planted within “in the beginning” knowing no matter that no matter the outcome your standing in the exactly the right check out lane!

Then I was lead to the furthest part of the prison where I have never been before! Waiting alone – waiting for what?

to be continued ……..

Senior Lifer Inmate Returns

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The Spiritual Set Up:

The past week I have been fretting about just what I should do regarding natural human conflict between two inmates who attend my Catholic Service.

Funny and Not Very Funny:

Can we laugh at ourselves and just how human were set up? Funny but not so funny – one became upset with the other for engaging in a protracted debate / challenging my core perspective regarding Faith, Trust and Hope founded upon my religious belief in God, scripture and the Catholic perspective on Truth.

What Going On and On and On will Do!:

It was an argument, debate, long winded discussion some might find difficult to endure. Well fact was on inmate stood up without saying a word and walked out. This inmate did not return.

Time for a Deep Dive:

This particular incident caused my soul to search first for why the two inmates both felt strongly about the perspectives they held. Further I wanted to know what I could or should have done to handle this situation better?

“Artificial Intelligence”

The good news for me was, I was able to listen without overly interrupting the inmate making a point about Artificial Intelligence and how repeatedly in the past human kind has been able to imagine concepts not possible at the time, yet over time became a reality. Technology, cell phones, flight, outer space travel, electricity, medical advances, etc. etc. Yes things that must have been considered at one point in history as impossible yet today we know conclusively those imagined possibilities are really real.

Why not AIT? What’s so different?

Fundamental Truth? AI is a machine not human and does not have a soul or real feelings or emotions! It is simply a non living – electronic computer technology completely dependent up some flawed human being creating the hardware and software that can emulate ever so many human capabilities. AI has an advantage over a single human being for it can access data and be programmed by multiples of human being with a multiplicity of human values programmed into a non living highly sophisticated embedded complex outcomes which over time will become more and more difficult to test the predicted outcome!

The Other Inmate had had enough – Body Language in Action:

Question is? What is our tolerance capability and can we hear the spiritual question being asked hidden within a challenging debate?

The on and on debate Question hides the spiritual question! – Do our spiritual eyes and ears work?

As the dialogue went on as happens in time – how does one test such a machine and what standard will be used to measure the future outcomes / truth of results of AI? The machine will not have a soul nor a conscientious – rather a growing multiplicity of human and perhaps other machine software programmers who may never ever to speak to one another about the purpose and validation of outputs!

Fast Back to the “In the Very Beginning”:

Will mankind treat such a machine as a God? The temptation will be real as “In the beginning”! Will the reality of human kinds original sin be factored in? Ah ha! The Ten Commandments! Ah ha humankind’s nature to fall into temptation / desire to take ownership of the original “Tree of Knowledge” in the Garden.

A leap forward and simultaneously a leap backward to “in the beginning” – temptation!

Have I confused anyone yet?

Hey I know this is incomplete but I gotta take a break!

to be continued ………….

Suffering:

Suffering:

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Suffering:

What is the purpose of Suffering?? Many say Jesus suffering and death was payment for the sins of humanity necessary to open the door of salvation for sinners so human’s can gain access to heaven! This statement is true while also being incomplete!

Jesus himself called all of us to come follow me adding pick up your cross! Another way to say join our suffering to that of His sacrifice! Now that is a mouthful! Buried in His crucifixion is Hid non verbal message! Join your suffering to mine as testimony that others might be lead to the gate.

An intensified Search:

From my own experience of suffering I found the intensity of my search for meaning and understanding was magnified exponentially! This trip through the valley of tears was necessary to open my spiritual eyes and ears to begin to see spiritual reality! You were born for this day!

The Human Condition – God’s Design:

It is a prerequisite that our human condition the only potential doorway to connect oneself with the image and spirit of God within is real suffering! It is the place one can begin to find oneself, the purpose of their being and to begin to hear the call to find themselves and the purpose for which they were created!

Modern Man Thinks himself Smarter:

We are living in the modern era that could be defined as the “selfie” generation! I can be whatever I want to be and define myself rather recreate myself into any living entity I desire! Humans seek what the worldly images of “happiness” is as the primary emotional, imaginary and single focused source of being! The Spirit of the soul and the body become separated from the whole of truth. Science and biological truth are sacrificed at the altar of the newest religion!

A New Religion:

This new religion is leading the world rapidly down the road where “suffering” will become the only doorway – one can encounter the “narrow gate” Jesus spoke about as He hung on the cross!

Are you ready? Can you see it is on the near horizon and accelerating each day!

Hope:

There is however Hope! In Christ’s own words! “Come back to me – Turn around – with your whole mind, emotions, feelings, spirit, soul, mind and yes your body”!

This is Mable’s message to Chris and anyone with ears to hear!

30 + Years versus One soon to be Paroled:

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Went to prison yesterday. Normal entry and normal delay for inmates to come! Food for thought! Almost every week a delay! And just why do I persist?

Oh, something about I am the student – sent to proclaim the Good News and to listen to the spirit’s voice hidden is the message spoken and unspoken by men incarcerated.

Oh Oh – I am the Student!!:

One inmate has been in prison 30 plus years. Lots of time to think! He admits guilt in murder of another human being. He regrets the impact of his frustration that lead to his crime! Essentially a spear he could not see coming penetrated his spirit when his son committed suicide as a older teenager.

Perspective of Hope – Stubbornness of the Spirit:

Can you imagine 30 + years to reflect upon and study the teachings of the Catholic Church. Simultaneously, ones human nature that landed him in prison clings to oneself and continues to cause him to challenge again and again truth no matter who! Just happened to be me today! Yes my each expressed thought! Can any one make the leap to understand this same challenge plays out time and again within the prison when I am not present with other inmates?

A Pain – a Pain! Get over yourself!:

So it was this day my question “how has it been going” lead to a conversation where seemingly every thought I expressed was challenged. Could it be 30 years ever so little hope exists “of ever being set free” was driving the conversation? A conversation that was upsetting to another inmate who recently received news “parole for multiple inmates was on the near horizon”. I ask myself? Are my ears working? Am I off track? New Hope came face to face with Hope frustrated! Unspoken language speaks through body movement! Absolutely no doubt – for sure something obviously had been triggered.

Oh Lord has my willingness to take the RISK to let people Speak an Error?

Was the difference I observed this day between the two inmates a spiritual attitude toward the hope of parole intensified by my willingness to take such a risk? Did I observe the natural long existing conflict – yet not fully understood by either – between the inmates – seemingly obviously due to a long interaction between the two men. A mouth full!

There I sat – the enabler: Guilty!

There I was essentially sitting in the middle enabling a discussion challenging my perspective of the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) . Yes I was being challenged to defend myself at every turn in regard to inanimate object (AI’s home) – a non-human machines ability to replicate and exceed a humans ability to reason.

A machine no matter how sophisticated does not have a soul – nor was it created in the image of God with free will!

The unspoken word speaks clearly! Evidence – the inmate – a short timer – in his mind could not tolerate the lifer’s attitude in regard to his insistence to challenge my perspective

Sometimes the soul speaks through ones feet! Yes the short-timer got up and walked out!

Wonder why I am writing this?

Did I tell you – in this ministry to prisoners – I have discovered the Spirit of the One who called me, reversed my role making me the student and teacher so I might travel through the valley that leads one to begin to better understand God’s complicated design of the nature of the Human person – where the soul can not escape the body!

Fact — This is not easy reality to digest and discern the truth. Is it perhaps the valley one must pass through where the search for wisdom leads both teacher and student?

And where do I find a Human I can talk to who will not get up and leave?

Arms Length – Smell of Sheep

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Shepherd: Flock: So close: Takes on Smell:

The term used by Jesus to describe the leaders of the church was a Shepherd! Hmmm! Food for thought!! If one studies (perhaps even better lives with) what a “real” shepherd does, one learns a Shepherd spends so much time with the sheep, the shepherd takes on the smell of the sheep!

Seems to me that’s a lot of time among and exposure to real life human beings which has the potential to opening a doorway wide for the sheep to enter into the sacraments where the Shepherd seeks to lead the flock!

Take the Real Presence out into the Sheep’s grazing grounds:

Kinda the Shepherd’s task is to find ways to take the message, if you will the “real presence” out of the sacred place into the sheep’s grazing grounds!

Uncomfortable?

This might be a little -well maybe viewed as ohhh very uncomfortable for some Shepherd’s who might just encounter lost sheep including some who attend Mass every week!

Arms length might be a good description of one who is unable and unwilling to venture outside the sacred venues they have authority and essentially total control.

Arms Length – neither a “Yes” or “No”:

Arms length might be a good description of one who is unable and unwilling to venture outside the sacred venues they have authority and essentially total control.

This is not easy human reality! It’s just the reality of my journey! Arms length – neither a “yes” or a “no”! Rather it is fear to enter into a relationship – and results in being non decisive!

A Gift I didn’t ask for:

Seems to me the good Lord gave me a gift I wasn’t shopping for! Ten years with people suffering with HIV/AIDS fast forwarded facing the reality of death resulted in an immersion of myself into the world of sheep saying “I was born this way” – not understanding “in the beginning” they were exactly born this way – with “original sin” human natures in the beginning desire to define truth! Yes sin is still sin in spite of oh so many humans seeking to make real the original sin/unreality!

Kids – Puberty – Family – Anger – Do We have a Clue?:

Fast forward into the prison system and an encounter with 17 year old juveniles! Described not by me!!!! But by the veteran old timer incarcerated inmates! Just who qualified them?

Mad as hell with mom and dad is what they told me! How is it they can see it yet the modern world seeks selfie desire and silence truth! Throw away young people! Throw away the unborn! Throw away bodies based upon a facade! Throw away throw away all that does not meet the selfie agenda!

Suffering – the Message from the Cross:

Arms length – is my cross! Suffering is the hidden doorway behind which truth is found! Avoid suffering at all costs in favor of modern man’s dreaming, as catastrophe awaits!

Reminds me of these words!!! Turn around and come back to me! With whole heart, mind, soul and all your being = body!

Yep I will go to prison on Friday and if I some how smell different, forgive me! It is there I enter into the mystery and smell of the cost of faith and trust of the one who sent me!

If you read this May God Bless you!

Anti Chhrist

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Artificial Intelligence – Yikes:

In reference to AI ( artificial intelligence ) it is built upon a non living platform using software code while using the logic of the human programmer!

As a young man I wrote software that is still being used in the national Air Traffic System of this nation. Always , the human Air Traffic Controller has the ability to make necessary adjustments.

The real reality is; AI by design will always have an embedded “Bias”! As such AI posses a great threat to any balanced discussion of human principles and values! AI as such is a simply a dumb non living pieces parts modern man calls a computer and as such a computer system can have no conscience!

The AI Question:

The question, humanity needs to be asking is simple! How far down this AI road is humanity willing to travel placing freedom in the hands of a non living device with no conscience?

People can change their mind during the process of an open debate! A computer can not! It is simply locked into the logic of the software running in a non living hardware that has no emotions, feelings, free will or any other God created eyes and ears to read and see the unspoken language only one with life, breath and soul can! Man is created in the image of God! Machine is non living!

Oh Oh – We are There — Government / Political Use of AI:

When our government officials tell us they will use AI to eliminate bias we know we have embarked upon the most dangerous of journey’s! And they are today!

I was created for this day! So we’re you! Who will you serve? God or Man or a non living machine?

An Anti-Christ – with no Soul, no Conscience, no Eyes or Ears:

The Anti Christ’s description in scripture as if it is some form of a “multiple person” entity – not an individual! Computer programs are created and modified by multiples of various people over time who may never have experienced a joint discussion of the logic or purpose or followed up with sufficient testing to verify the system works as the designer thought!

The Programmer – human – fallible:

The above short description is what I encountered when I first began testing the software I wrote! I actually got mad at the computer for not doing exactly what my design concept was! The human = me – made the mistake! The computer did exactly what I programmed!

Fast forward – really real – with multiple layers of human programmers creating – who seldom if ever are able to enter into a discussion and debate!

By the nature of software creation and testing

“AI” will have an embedded multitube of layers of Bias!

Yes AI will have a bias! The trouble for mortal humans will be who can untangle the embedded multi person complex bias!

No One! Danger danger – the next God – the Anti- Christ! I was born for this day!