I have pondered on religion, and the world I’ve searched in vain
For a creed in which I truly can believe,
A faith I can cling on to, with all my might and main.
But I’ve found that most religions do their followers deceive.
There are primitive religions that have gods of stone and wood
Whose worshippers must hallow them in fear.
Whose wrath can only be appeased by spilling living blood.
Their temple is the jungle and their message is the spear.
Many Asians follow Buddha and his wisdom so profound,
That teaches Peace and Love for living things.
But for India’s teeming millions, a host of gods abound,
And every caste is different and to its own god clings.
Some faiths are quite exclusive and embrace a Chosen Few,
With Gods who are but Gods to them alone,
Like Allah to the Muslim, and Jehovah to the Jew,
Which infers that God is racist and will only save His Own.
The Christian faith I’ve studied in its many variations,
And I must confess it leaves me quite bemused
For the Word of Christ has had so many strange interpretations
That his Church now stands divided and his followers confused.
I am not irreligious -- for I ‘m sure that there’s a God…
Though He may not be the one to whom you pray.
You may think me sacrilegious – or at least a little odd -
If I don’t subscribe to what your great religious pundits say!
But I seek the True Creator of the Universe entire,
Not some God who’s only interested in Man.
For beyond our solar system lie uncounted stars of fire
Which shone on living planets long before this Earth began.
So I seek a God of Nature from Whom all things are sprung,
And to Whom all eventually return.
For I see Life as a ladder to be mounted rung by rung,
Each rung a new existence – a new lesson we must learn.
For the Spirit that pervades us is a Universal Force
One which from form to form we transmigrate,
And our brief semesters each conclude their mortal course
We may be born again in some completely different state.
If we’re fashioned in God’s image and invested with His powers,
Man must be singled out to rule supreme…
But what of all the animals, and all the trees and flowers?
Why are they subjugated in God’s Universal Scheme?
If your God’s so filled with Mercy, Understanding and Compassion
Then I think that He should hide His Face in shame.
For He treats His Earthling creatures in a strange, unfeeling fashion -
As witnessed by the wickedness committed in His Name!
No! Your God I cannot follow, for if Man is His Reflection
Then He warrants no great cathedral or church.
For Man is filled with hate and greed, and every imperfection.
If this is your God’s image – I’ll just go on with my search!
