“Pain is a part of growing-up. It is how we learn..”

“(...) - So you mean that even having the power to interfere and prevent your childfeel pain, you would choose to show their love letting him learn hisown lessons?- Sure, pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn.The camerlegno shook his head.- Exactly. "p.89”

“Knowledge grows exponentially. The more we know, the greater our ability to learn, and the faster we expand our knowledge base.”

“Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning.''I understand the concept. It's just . . . there seems to be a contradiction.''Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man's starvation, war, sickness . . .''Exactly!' Chartrand knew the camerlengo would understand. 'Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn't He?'The camerlengo frowned. 'Would He?'Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didn't ask? 'Well . . . if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help.''Do you have children, Lieutenant?'Chartrand flushed. 'No, signore.''Imagine you had an eight-year-old son . . . would you love him?''Of course.''Would you let him skateboard?'Chartrand did a double take. The camerlengo always seemed oddly "in touch" for a clergyman. 'Yeah, I guess,' Chartrand said. 'Sure, I'd let him skateboard, but I'd tell him to be careful.''So as this child's father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?''I wouldn't run behind him and mollycoddle him if that's what you mean.''But what if he fell and skinned his knee?''He would learn to be more careful.'The camerlengo smiled. 'So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?''Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn.'The camerlengo nodded. 'Exactly.”

“Lieutenant Chatrand: I don’t understand this omnipotent-benevolent thing.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: You are confused because the Bible describes God as an omnipotent and benevolent deity.Lieutenant Chatrand: Exactly.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning.Lieutenant Chatrand: I understand the concept. It’s just... there seems to be a contradiction.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man’s starvation, war, sickness...Lieutenant Chatrand: Exactly! Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn’t he?Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: Would He?Lieutenant Chatrand: Well... if God Loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: Do you have children?Lieutenant Chatrand: No, signore.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: Imagine you had an eight-year-old son... would you love him?Lieutenant Chatrand: Of course.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: Would you let him skateboard?Lieutenant Chatrand: Yeah, I guess. Sure I’d let him skateboard, but I’d tell him to be careful.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: So as this child’s father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?Lieutenant Chatrand: I wouldn’t run behind him and mollycoddle him if that’s what you mean.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: But what if he fell and skinned his knee?Lieutenant Chatrand: He would learn to be more careful.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child’s pain, you would choose to show you love by letting him learn his own lessons?Lieutenant Chatrand: Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It’s how we learn.Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: Exactly.”

“In my business, one learns there is a fine line between insanity and genius. We would be wise to give this man a little respect.”

“Truth has power. And if we all gravitate toward similar ideas, maybe we do so because those ideas are true...written deep within us. And when we hear the truth, even if we don't understand it, we feel that truth resonate within us...vibrating with our unconscious wisdom. Perhaps the truth is not learned by us, but rather, the truth is re-called...re-membered...-re-cognized...as that which is already inside us.”