`` as well as pursuing my case , '' he went on , `` i will lecture on materialism , discuss the merits of buddhism in a godless society , speak on issues that the church is afraid to discuss - death , family values , self dependency , population control , individual responsibility ... ... .. '' tom was considering how much interest these subjects might attract and was grateful for another long flash of lightening followed by a deafening crash of thunder that seemed to split the sky .