A discussion somewhat in the air

Chesterton's novel 'The ball and the cross' starts with a discussion on a flying ship between the monk Michael and the scientist Lucifer. They encounter a cross on a ball at the top of St. Paul's cathedral. The discussion revolts around these symbols: the scientist insists that the ball is reasonable, inevitable, in unity with itself, a 'higher development', and it should stand on top of the cross, instead of being placed under it. The monk argues that man is a contradiction, just as the cross; he is irrational, just as the cross; and if the ball were placed on the cross, it would certainly fall of. Furthermore, it provides a practical means of support.
This first chapter appears to be introductory, for in the next chapter we are introduced to two new characters: the scotch atheist Turnbull, writer of a magazine, and a catholic boy from out of town, Evan McIan. When Evan encounters Turnbulls arguments, he immediately breaks his windows. When questioned by the police, we get some typical Chestertonian remarks. When Evan states that Turnbull is his enemy, the enemy of God, the policeman says that he "mustn't talk like that here, that has nothing to do with us.". He continues that "it is most undesirable that things of that sort should be spoken about - a - public [-]. Religion is - a - too personal a matter to be mentioned in such a place. [-] But to talk in a public place about the most sacred and private sentiments - well, I call it bad taste. I call it irreverent." He asks McIan if his views "are necessarily the right ones? Are you necessarily in possession of the truth?". On McIan's affirmative answer, he can only laugh contemptuously.
All in all, this discussion reminded me of Chesterton's beginning and final remarks in 'Heretics': a man's view of the universe is still 'the most practical and important thing about a man'. The people who passed Turnbulls shop with his atheistic arguments for twenty years are not necessarily more enlightened because they did not break his shopwindows: they do not care because they never formed an opinion for themselves about this matter.