The Tangled Branch Discussion Forums

A threat in my letterbox

A leaflet from the local church
assuring me I'd go to Hell, 
unless I followed their doctrine.

Noticed one thing about it though,
the person delivering it lacked conviction,
failed to post it completely through.
Half of it still hung outside,
in a kind of Limbo, 
as if the offer could be withdrawn.

They run a cafe, and various drop-ins,
and truly help the fallen
and those with problems. 
They're a genuine bunch of people.

They've come a long way,
perhaps a little too far
from their mission tent sixty years ago.
On the fertile soil of a brand new estate.

But...

How would they feel if I went to their door,
thrust my pagan sword only halfway through
and told them there is only one Valhalla,
but I can accept different heavens,
and hells, for different faiths,
without conflict,
without their blinkered arrogance?

There's probably even a place,
comfortable enough,
for surprised atheists. 

Gyppo 

Yeah, I enjoyed the write. Fitting yourself into a behavioral template with metaphysical overtones means not having to think too much or even at all. Each to their own code, credo and creed but keep the proselytizing out of the conversation, right?
And what's with this bipolar Antichrist stuff... where is the anti-Shiva, anti-Buddha, etc. It doesn't work without hell, demons and evil? 
An estimated 6000 generations of modern-ish humans BCE - wonder how they made out without a Personal Saviour. It's all a lot of ego-driven arrogant ignorance as usual. If I had to pick a particular version, it would be the Thomasine, of course.

Mark Thomas