Have You Read The Bible? Poem by Janice Walkden

Have you read the bible
from beginning to end
I was asked this once
by a religious ‘friend’
who wanted to tell me
that hell was in fact real
a place for eternity
with no ‘fun’ appeal
she wanted to show me
her claims were so true
what God has got planned
for me and for you
or for anyone really who
doesn’t believe
in her doctrine of faith
because they cannot conceive
how a God of love
can treat His children this way
for sinning on Earth
surely they must pay?
if they don’t take on board
a certain belief
In hell they’ll suffer
with no relief.
This doesn’t make sense
How can this be
for I know that my God
really does love me

Yes He loves me as He loves others
His wondrous creation are all sisters and brothers
There is no burning in hell for you or for me
No suffering of souls for all eternity
Our souls progress through love and care
from this life to the next
God is always there
He never leaves us
even though we don’t see
that God is there for all humanity