When I was young I was told the way
to avoid bigotry was to study
other religions, to enter the mind-set
of those with a different idea of God.
This was the axiom floating around
that God was one though the paths were many,
that the way forward was mutual respect,
not exclusion; validating each religion.
But it is not so much to study other faiths
to comprehend their meaning - and so become
convinced? – as to appreciate the humanity
of all believers that propped up each religion.
It all boils down to satisfaction of his need
man’s intuition of the divine avails,
working out a formula for life that is viable -
daily, seasonally - enshrined in each religion.
A formula for life – that is what brings people
to their knees, the evidence it works for them;
if science dispels the veils of myth, and
enables a secure life, love is God’s last stand.
