Religion is not hard to ape.
Let’s say I’m God. Let’s say you can’t escape
Your memories. You can’t.
Even what you don’t remember will hurt you.
The rituals I perform, you perform,
The moment we understand each other’s speech.
Now the outside is warm, and you are warm;
Religion isn’t what is—but what we teach.
The slaughter of innocents
Has more religion in it than you will ever have.
The crowd, mute, aghast,
Gets religion very fast.
If you patiently explain
What needs explaining,
We may understand the rain
But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s raining.
All religion needs: is that you are scared.
Terror is the best way to copy religion;
The professors cannot teach
Over the communist party member’s screech.
With a weak smile, I finish my own religious speech.
I reach out my hand to you—
Only because you look like you care for me, too.
You really shouldn’t be jealous of Susan, or Molly, or Sally.
They’re not going to next Thursday’s rally.
You will only get in trouble if you are alone.
God. God. God. Pick up the first stone.