They built a computer which, existing partly inside and partly outside the known universe, could accurately answer any question about the known universe and itself (and do so quickly, since the outside part was unconstrained by time).

Those who won the bid to ask questions first were wayward priests seeking to discover the forbidden answers—ones the truly faithful would never seek.

“Is there a god?” The first asked nervously.

“Yes.”

The priest rejoiced.

“Is there only one god?” The second asked hopefully.

“Yes.”

That priest rejoiced.

“Oh no…” muttered the third priest despairingly, then asked: “…Are you a god?”