While I enjoyed some of the bashing of the Roman church, I found the plot pretty ridiculous and the characters unaffecting and stock. I agree the writing is amateurish and that this is third-rate science fiction, but the attempt at social commentary is commendable even if ham-handed. This has all been done before and much, much better in much, much shorter novels. Unforunately, this takes a while to wade through for a predictable climax. Definitely not for discerning tastes or religious right folks.Or me.