An Impatient
Letter To All Of Us From God!!
by: Bo Lozoff
From: GOD
To: My
Children on Earth
Re: Idiotic
Religious Rivalries
I consider Myself a pretty patient guy. I mean, look at the Grand Canyon.
It took millions of years to get it right. And about evolution? Boy, nothing
is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by
cell, and gene by gene. I've been patient through your fashions,
civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Me for
granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again. But on
this occasion, I want to let you know some of the things that are starting
to tick me off.
Up the Wall!
First of all, your religious rivalries are driving me up a wall. Every
one of your religions claims there's only one of Me (which by the way, is
absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it's My
favorite one. And each claims its Bible was written personally by Me, and
that all the other bibles are man made. Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put a
stop to such complicated nonsense?
Okay, listen up now. I'm your Father AND Mother, and I don't play
favorites among My children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don't
write. My longhand is awful, and I've always been more of a *doer* anyway.
So ALL of your books, including those bibles, were written by men and women.
They were inspired, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and
there. I made sure of that so that you would never trust a written word more
than your own living heart. You see, one human being to me - even a bum on
the street - is worth more than all the holy books in the world. That's just
the kind of guy I AM. My Spirit is not an historical thing, its alive right
here, right now, as fresh as your next breath. Can't you feel Me moving
among you?
I don't Need your Protection
Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so
than the least of you. They were only meant to steer you in the right
direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to
keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Me. Which brings Me
to My next point about your nonsense. You act like I need you and your
religions to stick up for Me. Please, don't do Me any favors. I can stand
quite well on My own, thank you. I don't need you to defend Me, and I don't
need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.
And another thing, I don't get all worked up over money or politics, so
stop dragging My name into your dramas.
The Purpose of 'Religion'
The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of
loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is so that YOU can
become more aware of Me, not the other way around. Believe Me, I know you
already. I know what's in each of your hearts, and I love you with no
strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy Me. That's what religion is best for.
What you seem to forget is how mysterious I AM. You look at the petty
differences in your scriptures and say, Well if this is the truth, then that
can't be! But instead of trying to figure out My paradox's and unfathomable
nature - which, by the way, you never will - why not open your hearts to the
simple common threads in every religion?
Quit Making it Complicated!
You know what I'm talking about: Love and respect everyone. Be kind. Even
when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I am
always with you. Learn how to be quiet so you can hear My still, small voice
(I don't like to shout). Leave the world a better place by living your life
with dignity and grace, for you are My Own Child. Hold back nothing from
life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that
can't, won't. So don't worry, be happy. (I stole that last line from Bobby
McFerrin, but Whom do you think gave it to him in the first place?)
Simple stuff.
Why do you keep making it so complicated? It's like you're always looking
for an excuse to be upset. And I'm very tired of being your main excuse. Do
you think it matters whether you call me Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka,
Brahma, Father, Mother, or even the Void of Nirvana? Do you think I care
which of my special children you feel closest to - Jesus, Mary, Krishna,
Mohammed or any of the others? You can call Me and my special ones any name
you choose, if only you would go about My business of loving one another as
I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?
No More Sibling Rivalry
I'm not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your religions,
honor them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honor and learn from
your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are
better than theirs? Your religion, like your parents, may always have the
most special place in your heart; I don't mind that at all. And I don't want
you to combine all the Great Traditions into One Big Mess. Each religion is
unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that people can find their
own path to Me.
But my special children - the ones that your religions revolve around -
all live in the same place (My Heart, as do you) and they get along
perfectly, I assure you. The clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling
rivalry where none exists.
My blessed children of earth, the world has grown too small for your
pervasive religious bigotries and confusion. The whole planet is connected
by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines, rock concerts,
disease, and mutual needs and concerns. Get with the program! If you really
want to help Me celebrate, then commit yourselves to figuring out how to
feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your abused, and shelter your
poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example
of love, kindness and good humor. I've given you all the resources you need,
if only you abandon your fear of each other and begin living, loving,
laughing, and singing together.
Finally, My children everywhere, remember the fearlessness with which
those your traditions celebrate chose to live and die. As I love them, so do
I love each of you. I'm not really ticked off, I just wanted to grab your
attention because I hate to see you suffer. But I gave you free will, so
what can I do now other than to try to influence you through reason,
persuasion and a little old-fashioned guilt. After all, I AM the original
Jewish Mother. I just want you to be happy. And I'll sit in the Dark.
I really AM, indeed, I swear, with you always.
Always.
Trust in ME.
Your One and Only,
GOD
