Behold the former non-believer. As friends and strangers pledged their commitment and were rewarded, he was inspired. Envy and awe shone from his face. He prayed for guidance in hopes of being found worthy. Longing to be surrounded and enveloped, to feel protected with a sense of well being that would assure him he wasn’t alone, without hope. He imagined giving himself up to this higher power, sustained by a bottomless well of strength and power. Searching for the meaning of life, and a reason for living, he devoted himself to worshipping faithfully at the altar of the state lottery.