A Letter from God

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.

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 manmade. 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?

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 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?

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?

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.

This insightful letter was written by Bo Lozoff. You may find his website at http://www.humankindness.org

I'd also like to recommend the *Conversations with God, books 1, 2 and 3* by Neale Donald Walsch. I have read all three of them, and am now re-reading them. They are excellent books, and will definetly help you to remember Who You Are.