RELIGION

There once was poor man who had but two sheep and a small plot of land. All the lands around him were owned by the rich merchant and aside from knowing of him, the poor man never thought of the rich man at all.
One day the poor man found a note nailed to his door. The note was an invitation to a feast at the rich mans mansion. Bewildered but happy the poor man made his way the many miles to the rich mans house and knocked on the door. Inside were many rich men and women who received their wealth and prosperity by the good graces of the rich merchant.
The poor man was led to a room to meet with the rich merchant. Once inside, the merchant closed the door and, pulling a pistol from his waistband said,"get on your knees. Worship me. Love me or I will kill you".
The gentle poor man lowered himself to his knees and declared his worship and love for the rich merchant. The merchant called all his friends into the room and declared, "see. See how he loves me. See how he worships me", and all his friends sang words of praise to the merchant.
But inside the mind of the poor man was the thought that if not for the gun, he would kill the merchant without thought or remorse.
That is the way of religion. The only love comes from the fear of death.