A God-Shaped Vacuum
In 1980s Ireland, a confused teenager takes increasingly radical spiritual steps to fill a binary vacuum
Classroom religion
Kieron didn’t want Mr Macintyre or Carol Zinger to catch him watching them, so he peeked over a jumbo-size chorus book. He needn’t have worried. They were in deep conversation about saving a damned soul.
His.
Mr Macintyre, the teacher who led the Christian Union, wore his customary corduroy suit. His tie was loosened because it was the after school Thursday meeting. This born-again Presbyterian elder wanted to bring everyone to Christ at the school, one student at a time, if that was what it took.
Carol Zinger was a young missionary back on furlough, touring churches and youth groups and was sponsored by Mr Macintyre’s church. She wore a calf-length, high-necked dress with a jacket. A simple, silver cross hung from a chain necklace.
Why was Kieron here? His friend, Richard, had nagged him into going. He had gone along to shut him up, but stayed when he realised that the group seemed genuinely friendly.
To his surprise, being part of it filled a need for social interaction he didn’t know he had. He had previously preferred libraries to clubs or bars…
