In the days that follow, I enjoy the luxury of a private
room. Dr. Teasdale and certain staff members are allowed
to speak with me. I stay in bed when anyone other than
Jim is in the room. It seems like the staff takes dozens
of blood samples every day. They must be giving me every
diagnostic test known to humankind. I experience so many
ways to scan a body with x-rays, so many questions, so
many physical measurements. My file goes into a fourth
volume.
I learn that part of the reason Jim is an atheist is the
bitterness he felt when his Christian friends told him
how much God hates homosexuality. In one interesting
conversation, Jim tells me the similarity between
homosexuality and hallucinogenic drugs: He says
homosexuality enables one to have the sexual experience
without producing offspring. This is very offensive to
the genetic code that wants so desperately to get itself
into the next generation. So, we inherit taboos against
homosexuality. Hallucinogenic drugs, on the other hand,
enable a person to have the spiritual experience without
religion. That lets the cat out of the bag. Religion is
one way our genetic code insures effective procreation.
Without religion, we might become promiscuous and make
offspring before we are ready to raise them. Or, we
might learn to enjoy our sexual urges in ways the code
would not like. Thus, our genetic code gives us religion
with a higher authority to keep us in line. So,
homosexuality and hallucinogenic drugs are taboo for
similar reasons, they provide the sexual or spiritual
experience without producing the desired results. Jim
says he is sure homophobia and Psychodelophobia are
genetically inherited and he doesn't blame those who
can't overcome their natural urges to persecute gays and
drug users. He says he sure can't overcome his natural
homosexual urges.
Jim says he has tried LSD and "shrooms." He thinks he
found the same spiritual experience his religious
friends find in church. He admits he can't be sure,
since he hasn't had any spiritual experiences in church
or with God. He also decided that spiritual experience
can include miraculous healings, hence his books. I'm
not sure about this guy-tolerant, yes; in need of
tolerance, definitely. LDS and LSD don't usually mix
very well. I have never heard of a victim of intolerance
who could be so understanding and tolerant.
Another time, Jim makes the point that a group of
friends could each bring their favorite dish to a party.
One might sample every dish and find some good, some
indifferent, and some downright offensive. Then he asks
why the government shouldn't vote on which dishes may be
eaten and which not. President Bush would certainly have
vetoed any law allowing broccoli. I agree with Jim that
laws against victimless personal practices, such as
homosexuality and drugs, are just as inappropriate as
laws against unappetizing foods.
***
Now, it is March and our secret remains secure. It's
time to get ready for Israel. Somehow, Jim has convinced
the University Hospital to let him fly me to his special
facility here in Chicago where he has been continuing
his research and writing about me. Actually, his
"special facility" is not much more than a suite in the
second floor of an apartment building. It's very nice
and I get my own room. Jim provides me with everything I
ask, including spending money. I'm free to come and go
as I please. I learn a lot about the varied forms of
entertainment in Chicago.
Being in Chicago has allowed us to continue keeping me a
secret and will enable me to leave the country without
raising questions in Utah. Nearly everyone in Utah still
believes I am in an endless coma. My younger brother,
who lives in the Chicago area, has been contacted and
has agreed to keep my secret. I spend a lot of time with
him and his family. My children had given up on me when
they allowed my body to be shipped out of state. They
admitted that I, being a medical researcher, would have
wanted my body to serve science even after my mind was
gone. I'm sorry they don't know I'm awake, but I can't
risk my mission to Israel.
***
Jim agrees that we should have our own news coverage of
our trip to Israel. He has a friend who would be
perfect. Her name is Marsha Clark. She is a local TV
anchorwoman in Chicago. She has done other stories on
amazing healings with Jim, and he trusts she will keep
our secret. Israel is ready to explode any day. Our only
chance of getting to Israel now is to go as part of
Marsha Clark's news staff. This is going to take some
convincing. Jim takes me to the TV studio.
Chapter VII
