The Wars Of Men Through God Poem by Michael Silver

I once talked to a religious man
He preached of peace
And the good will of all
He spoke of a loving god
Who worked for the salvation of the people
Yet he damned his enemies
Spoke of everlasting hell fire
He blessed the troops
And prayed for the sword
As well as heavenly reward for those who died

I talked to another
On the other battle side
He spoke of the same things
Peace
Security
And he spoke of his love of all of God's creation
Yet he had no problem
Sending his congregation to war
Calling out salvation
As his sheep went to a living hell
Asking God to guide their weapons to smite the foe
Whose only sin was being on the wrong side

I watched as the next generation
Seeing the errors of the church
Renounce their faith
And sought freedom from their wrathful god
Seeking peace in philosophy
And the superiority of human independence
Yet nothing changed
The wars still raged
And the new generation came to the battle lines
For their own selfish reasons
Claiming their mission to be more righteous
Than those of the warring Churches
And the Churches came against them
And there was no peace to be found

Perhaps it is not God who brings us such misery
Perhaps it is the lack of him