Religious Games!

" Why this frenzy of sacrifices?"
God's asking.
"Don't you think I've had my fill of burnt sacrifices,
rams and plump grain-fed calves?
Don't you think I've had my fill
of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats?
When you come before me,
who ever gave you the idea of acting like this,
Running here and there, doing this and that-
all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?

"Quit your worship charades.
I can't stand you trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly sabbaths, special meetings-
meetings, meetings, meetings- I can't stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
You've worn me out!
I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
I'll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I'll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you've been tearing
people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
Clean up your act
Sweep your lives clean of evildoings
so I Don't have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.


"Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out."
This is God's message:
"If your sins are blood-red
they'll be snow white.
If they are red like crimson,
they'll be white like wool.
If you willingly obey,
you'll feast like kings.
But if you are willful and stubborn,
you'll die like dogs.
That's right. God says so.

Excerpt from Isaiah 1 as interpreted in
The Message- The Old Testament Prophets