Wouldn't it be wonderful if all
Earth's folks could get along -
Ignoring creed and color,
and to what church they belong?
Wouldn't it be the greatest joy
to walk down ANY street
And see only SMILING faces
on everyone you'd meet?
Wouldn't it be rewarding,
if all Man's energies and talents
Were directed to improving Man
and preserving Nature's balance?
Wouldn't if be a better world, too,
if none of us ate meat,
And all this vast world's creatures
just gamboled at our feet?
Wouldn't it be marvelous
if no one suffered from disease,
And we knew no pain or anguish -
or old-age infirmities?
Wouldn't it help if I loved Man,
as I selfishly love myself -
And lived humbly, as did Jesus Christ
who sacrificed himself?
Wouldn't it be lovely
to always find the perfect mate;
To share life in perfect harmony
without jealousy and hate?
Wouldn't it be comforting
if every soul was TRULY certain
That Death is but the door to Heaven
and NOT the final curtain?
Wouldn't it be beautiful, too,
if God DOES exist, and can provide
An Eternal Home with loved ones -
a home where NO ONE ever died?!
Wouldn't it feel good to know
that THIS life of hate and greed
Serves to sweeten life Hereafter
in our every thought and deed?
Wouldn't it be incredible, too,
if ALL religions teach God's truth -
And He just gave folks different paths
to find Eternal Youth?
Wouldn't it be consistent with
a Creator's world-wide intention,
For Buddha, Confucius, as WELL as Christ,
to lead us to Redemption?
Wouldn't it be right for ALL religions
to practice their noble tenets,
So I could choose just ONE of them
for Salvation and Repentance?
Wouldn't if be fine to have NO wars,
or those fought in God's name -
Christians killing Christians,
and Muslims equally in shame?
Wouldn't it be wrong to pray aloud
in ritualistic ostentation,
If thoughts and deeds, alone,
can earn God's loving approbation?
Wouldn't it be a TRUE test of Faith
to reject ALL worldly goals,
And adopt the meek and humble goal
of saving wayward souls?
Wouldn't it be nice with no hypocrites -
religion's great deceivers,
Who pose and judge self-righteously
and discourage new believers?
Wouldn't it be God's GREATEST gift
if ALL these things were true
Yet, all I see is APPALLING to me!
God! Why CAN'T I believe in YOU?
(Addendum)
Wouldn't only a callous God
ignore his martyred slain and maimed?
John Huss and Joan of Arc BOTH burned -
was one rewarded - one disdained?
Wouldn't only a heartless God
let CHILDREN die of vile afflictions,
While rich and evil scoundrels die
with His OWN shepherds' benedictions??!!
Earl W. Shollenberger