Deception in God's Name

They claim that it’s You who spoke

All that’s in the book they invoke,

And this also they loudly declare:

“If for your welfare you truly care,

You must believe this book to be

A call issued from the Almighty

And do just as it says you should

(We say this for your own good).

But if this book you choose to deny,

Then, when finally you happen to die,

God will punish you to burn in Hell,

Maybe for all time there you'll dwell.”

Vast numbers they deceived in this way,

By about their book all that they say,

The claims they make, so very absurd,

About a tome they declare is Your Word.

Much havoc these false claims have spread,

With lies in Your Name millions misled.

But their book’s not from You, I'm sure,

Filled with error and foolishness galore,

And foul, vile teachings that abound

And tales and talk all most unsound.

This one fact to me is now very clear:

This book’s the work of mortals mere.

Just as I now know this, may others, too,

May they know this book’s not from You,

So that they’ll be released, finally, at last,

From their pain-filled, burdensome past,

The source of which a mere book became,

Filled with falsehood, all in Your Name.