This morning I attended an interesting mass service at my neighborhood church, Saints Peter & Paul, in Winter Park, FL. During today's gospel sermon, the preacher made a humorous allusion to religion and politics by telling a short story that gave everyone a good laugh. This is how the story goes...

After many years of service in the government, a senator (this is fictitious) passed away and headed for the afterlife. Upon arriving through the gates of the afterlife, a Saint welcomed him and said: "We don't see political figures like you here very often! Because of this, you will spend one day in Hell, and one day in Heaven, and decide for yourself where you wish to spend eternity."

The senator agreed and took the elevator down to Hell. When the doors opened, the scenery was just beautiful. It was nothing like what he had imagined. There was a golf course, and all of his senator pals from the previous life were there. The senator joined in on the fun, played a few holes of golf, enjoyed some laughs, good food, drinks, and music, and overall had a wonderful time; even the Devil came out to party.

When the day arrived to an end, the senator took the elevator from Hell back to the gates, and took the elevator up to Heaven. When he arrived in Heaven, things were peaceful and relaxing. Free of doing as he pleased, he sat on a floating cloud, listened to harp music, and watched the angels fly by all day. When the day finally came to an end, the senator went back to the gates of the afterlife and communicated his final decision to the Saint.

He said: "You know, Heaven is really nice, but I think I like it better down in Hell." The Saint then granted his wish and led him down to the elevator back down to Hell. The Senator was very excited to rejoin his comrades. When the doors opened, things were different. It was dark, red hot, and filled with suffering, sadness, and nothingness.

As the Devil welcomed him, the senator said: "Hey, wait a minute, what is going on here? This isn't how things were yesterday! It is hot as HELL! What happened?" The Devil responded: "Yesterday we were campaigning my friend...and today, we got your vote!"