only one

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when will we learn,

that there is only one,

and he is the same for us all

 

Christ is my Lord,

Buddha my Teacher

Allah my Savior,

Vishnu my God

each is the same,

and speaks to their people

the same as all other Gods

 

I cannot believe

that my god is the best

better than all; all of the rest

I cannot believe

that my god is the best

he is the same for us all

 

we all base our lives

on the same basic values

preaching the same

fundamental beliefs

claiming to be

a tolerant people

while inside,

deep hatred seethes

 

we’ve warred, and we’ve raged

we knelt, bowed, and prayed

we killed and were saved

for the sake of his name

 

inequities lasting

for thousands of years

generations of believers

harboring fears

widows and orphans

with pledges to keep 

piety tainted

by prideful conceit 

 

suspicions abound

and objections astound

we all stand on testament,

yet all disagree

when will we learn

that we each stand as witness

and find language

that brings us to peace

 

when will we learn

that there is only one

and he is the same for us all?

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