The nature of matter is hard to find;
More puzzling still is the nature of mind.
About God some seem to know it all
Which strikes me as a claim too tall.
Though each of us can entertain
Views on what we can’t attain,
Many of us are still inspired
By the thoughts of those who’ve long expired.
The demand of every religious view
Is that we take its tenets to be literally true.
Nothing wrong in this heartfelt call
As long as it isn’t forced on all.
But this isn’t how this is always done:
Some try to force their beliefs on everyone.
And so there have been, as still there are,
Many an ugly and bloody religious war.
Let’s have religions, feasts, God-invoking songs
That bring joy and keep us away from wrongs.
Let’s share our heritage with others too
But not claim ours to be the only one that’s true.
I wish all humans would just unite
As brothers and sisters, and not fight,
And agree that on happy heaven and horrible hell
None can with certainty anything tell.
All we can, or perhaps should do
Is to be good and kind and caring too
To those that we happen to meet.
Oh, how the world will then be sweet!
Spurts of Thought 