My friend and coworker Charlie was a black man from a large family from Mississippi. Charlie's wife was very religious, but Charlie didn't want to have anything to do with religion. Charlie talked about Reverend Ike all the time, as the prime example of what was worng with religion.

But I always wondered whether Reverend Ike was really so callous and materialistic as Charlie thought he was. From the surface, Reverend Ike seemed like 100 percent hooey - but what was it that made so many people follow him, and how was it that Reverend Ike was able to live with himself?

And may Charlie rest in peace. I wanted him to have a part in my wedding, but he died in January, 2002, the week before I got married. He was one of the most wonderful and colorful individuals I have ever known.


-Joe-