For a long time,there were only four people in the garden of Eden. Adam and Eve,of course,and also Steve and Cindy. But soon,many others were created by God. They were created in other parts of the world,and eventually they all found each other. They were called 'The Multitudes'. After many years,the original Adam and Eve died of old age. So did Steve and Cindy. But they were followed by multitudes of new generations,who were likened unto their kind. One of the multitudes was a scribe named Authenticus. One day Authenticus was writing in his room,and he heard a noise. It sounded like someone laughing.

Authenticus stopped writing and said,"who's there?" He saw no one. He asked,"Is someone there?" Then a figure appeared,as if by magic. It was a man,who looked like he had red skin. He had two horns growing out of the top of his head. Authenticus asked,"Who are you? How did you get into my room?" The man laughed again,and then he said,"My name is Satan." Authenticus forgot his fear,and said,"Well,that's impossible. Satan is a legendary figure,the personification of evil. You couldn't be Satan." Satan said,"Oh,I assure you I am real. I have something very important to tell you. I have invented something new,it is a totally new idea. I call it religion. I want you to write about it. I understand that you are a very talented writer,so I want you to write about religion."

Authenticus said,"Well.I'm very flattered, I appreciate you telling me that I'm talented,but I have never heard of religion. What is it? How can I write about religion if I don't know what religion is?" Satan said,I will explain it. When God created Adam and Eve,and Steve and Cindy,they were the only four people in the world. They were the first four people,and since there were only four of them,they all enjoyed a close relationship with God." Authenticus said,"Yes of course,but I still don't understand." Satan continued to explain,"After a few years,the world was populated with multitudes,it is now populated with millions of people. There are so many people in the world today,that all of them cannot have a close personal relationship with God."

Authenticus said,"They don't have to know God personally,like Adam and Eve did. The millions of people who live in the world today know God through his miracles,and through the words of the prophets." Satan said,"Oh,yes! That's true,but God's power doesn't reach all of them! God's message only reaches a small percentage of the people who live on Earth,today. The rest of them are cut off from God,and his wisdom! That's why I invented religion! Religion is a series of stories about God,and the purpose of religion is to bring God's word to the multitudes,since they cannot experience any awareness of God,in any other way!"

Authenticus said,"That sounds like an interesting idea." Satan said,"Will you write religious stories for me? You can be my scribe. You can write stories about God that will reach millions of people. You must understand that religion will become a substitute for direct spiritual experience. Religion can reach people who would have been overlooked by God. Religion can save the souls of people that God has forsaken, Religion will someday become a complete system that involves education,politics,and philosophy." Authenticus said he was interested. Satan said,"Good,then you will become my scribe. But there is one thing I must tell you. Never mention my name. My involvement must be kept secret. I must always be invisible,like a ghost. You might call me a ghost writer." Authenticus said,"Okay. A ghost writer. Got it."