The room is filled with anger.

The problem is ...that no one knows it.

They are all used to the social etiquette, and have years of experience at their profession. The problem is, they're so accustom to professing, they can't quite recall what it is that they believe ...and they've traded their resolve for a much more settling likability.

They began with good intentions, to discuss faith issues.  Each came with high credentials, and there was no need for introductions ...they were all well-known.

Each person brought their Bible in hand, yet there was great discrepancy as to what was written, in what they all admitted is God's Word.

Each in the room was so blinded by their own reputations, and self-absorbed by their own perceptions of what others of their stature thought of them ...that few noticed the custodian quietly emptying the trash.

As the custodian speaks, the group looks astonishingly disturbed.  He speaks the words he feels they all are thinking, "Yes, how dare I interrupt your meeting!  But, before you conspire to ask me to leave ...I'd just like to say, that I'd prefer you also leave this place tidy."

One of the most astute member of the group, stands to speak, "We will indeed keep this place tidy, as you say.  Now, if we can get on with this meeting."

The custodian smiles, "I want you get on with your meeting ...I just don't want to have to empty the trash twice.  From what I've heard in this short time, many of you feel that certain aspects of the Bible are not literal, or that there is error in the translation.  Well, since you all feel so strongly about these particular exclusions, I just thought there'd be a lot of page tearing.  I mean, since most of you don't have much use for certain aspects of the Bible ...I just figured you'd be tearing out all those pages."

A grey haired gentleman speaks from his seat, "What kind of nonsense is this? That's absurd!"

The custodian smiles, "You are probably right ...but assume you all did take that approach. After you were done, what would you have left?"

Those who so long prided themselves with self-restraint over dealing with their own differences, were now exposing some of their hidden anger. 

They were not used to being challenged ...they were the ones who were always accustom to leading their congregations. Many were sorry they had come here.  But, they could put aside their misgivings for one another ...as they were now, able to direct all their anger at this custodian.

The custodian offers his last, "I just figured that by the time you all remove everything each of you contest ...there'd only be about two words left in the Bible."

The first astute gentleman attempts to humor the group by asking, "And what two words would they be?"

The custodian smiles, "Jesus slept.  And with those two words, I feel there would still likely be differences in your individual interpretations.  But, my question is rather whether any of you know how long you have been sleeping, and whether it is likely you'll ever wake up."

  
At this, the custodian let them collect their thoughts, as he collected the rest of the trash.

(Yes, I know the verse says, "Jesus wept."  And this situation is indeed a very sad scenario.  Whether the custodian misquoted intentionally, or not ...it's hard to say.)