In the Western world,
established Religions are generally rejected.
There is some residual belief in spirituality,
but the fantasies of faith are not accepted.
The position of priest and scripture
no longer holds any real authority.

There is a spiritual void to be filled,
by something credible which touches hearts
and engages both mind and spirit.

For the ancient tales are seen a delusions,
or, at best, as allegories of what is real.
The fulminations of ancient apostles
are seen as propoganda, not fact.
Threats of eternal punishment
are seen as power politics,
by the priestly class.




The words and actions
of spiritual establishments
 do not reflect our deepest feelings;
our own concepts of divinity.
There is a credibility gap.

Many fill the void with new divinities:
the worship of talented artists or pop stars,
the comradeship of the football terraces
worshipping "the beautiful game",
finding the meaning of life
in things of no meaning.

Somehow religions need to focus anew
on what all can admit is righteous,
touching the hearts of all mankind,
promoting the purposes of God
. .



The major religions are like Wells,
If you go deep enough down any Well,
it taps into the same aquifer.
But if you try to go down
several wells, at once,
you won't get far into them
and you will never reach
the source.

I may prefer the well of Christianity
because I know how it works. I have tried it out.
Maybe the other wells work even better
but I do not really know.

I know the Christian Well works
most of the time
BUT
"Burning the Quran
does not Illuminate the Bible;"



Religions are living entities;
seek to promote their own survival
at the expense of other religions;
Consuming members and resources
as the food of their inheritance.

Religions take spirituality
and suck it dry for their refreshment
Take the acts of God and make them legends
Take the interface to divinity
and make it a sacrament.

We, who would meet with God, are channelled,
down the false faucet of holy conformity
asked to find divinity only following
the way that our religion specifies
for we can believe and belong
or find another pasture.

We may all serve in our different ways
but we conform for the sake of unity;
surrender self for community;
love our neighbour and
so our God.