All-Inclusive Love (Revised) Poem by Margaret Alice Second

I bought a Christian magazine in honour of the lovely
Miracle Play’s Easter symbolism, of a person giving
up life as a sacrifice to teach a new forgiveness of
enemies – even as we ourselves need forgiveness;

Their dogmatically exclusive declarations recalled my
objection to churches hijacking the Miracle Play for
their theology, insisting respect for other beliefs is
sinful, grounds for eternal damnation to hell, BUT

I believe religious books are open to interpretation, I
will defend our freedom to analyse it differently from
official religions; I love diversity of cultures, respecting
everyone with integrity – atheist, Muslim or Buddhist

All religion has a single thread: Do unto others as you
would be done by; in all authoritarian societies critical
religions suffer aggression and persecution together
with subversive elements

Theology and dogma are imposed where beautiful
imagery should be free of it; intolerance creates war –
if seeking a quest, join a dogmatic religion, proselytize
in authoritarian places – revel in the admiration

Of fellow fundamentalists; you will retain your right to
respect even though you do not respect others – which
is the only way all-inclusive love symbolised in the
Miracle Play can finally triumph

Easter 2013