© 2018 Barbara Grace Lake

 

When men allege belief in God
And by their acts cause others pain
Did God dictate to man, control
His thoughts, his actions, words or fate
Why blame your God?

And does the God to whom men bow
Direct them to be pitiless
Demeaning those whom they perceive
As born imperfect or unwise
Is this your God?

Did God create diversity
Of color, form or shape of eyes
For men to hew down other men
Enslaving those of lower caste
God ordered this?

Our God created worlds sublime
Lush beauty, awesome magnitude
That every child could share a bit
And see the majesty to come
This is God’s work.

No universal God permits
Abuse and cruelty in His name
No God avows a hate-filled act
When men conclude God grants this right
They have no God.