Gods own Country

An American decided to write a book about famous churches around the
world. So he bought a plane ticket and took a trip to Orlando,
thinking
that he would start by working his way across the USAfrom South to
North.
On his first day he was inside a church taking photographs when he
noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall with a sign that read
"$10,000 per call".

The American, being intrigued, asked a priest who was strolling by
what
the telephone was used for. The priest replied that it was a direct
line to heaven and that for $10,000 you could talk to God.

The American thanked the priest and went along his way. Next stop was
in Atlanta. There, at a very large cathedral, he saw the same golden
telephone with the same sign under it.

He wondered if this was the same kind of telephone he saw in
Orlandoand
he asked a nearby nun what its purpose was. She told him that it was
a
direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God.

"O.K., thank you," said the American. He then travelled to
Indianapolis,
WashingtonDC, Philadelphia, Bostonand New York.

In every church he saw the same golden telephone with the same
"$10,000
per call" sign under it. The American, upon leaving Vermontdecided to
travel to AUSTRALIAto see if Australians had the same phone.

He arrived in Australia, and again, in the first church he entered,
there was the same golden telephone, but this time the sign under it
read "40 cents per call."

The American was surprised so he asked the priest about the sign.
"Father, I've travelled all over Americaand I've seen this same
golden
telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is a direct line to
Heaven,
but in the USthe price was $10,000 per call.

Why is it so cheap here?" The priest smiled and answered, "You're in
Australianow, son, this IS Gods country - it's a local call".