*God* will be with us always ... belief is empowering.

Each of us has an imperfect understanding of God.

None of us know the complete truth.

Some of us believe in God

And the belief is empowering.

The belief is a comfort

in times of trouble or need.

The belief is sustaining

in the face of setbacks or pain.

Believers frequently feel nirvana

when they feel in the presence of the divine.

I think Marx once said:

Religion is the opiate of the masses.

Belief is empowering.

Belief is addictive.

Believers can be misguided.

Believers can do great evil or great good.

Much evil has been done

while posing as good and with God.

We should understand

that God wants us to be good to each other.

There will always be disagreements

about the precise nature of God.

But we should all agree... that God

whether real or imagined... is a powerful force.

Since believers are empowered

there will always be believers.

We want to be sure the power of belief

is a power used for good.

So let us believe:

• God is Good.
• God wants us to be free.
• God wants us to live and let live.
• God doesn't want us to control each other.
• God wants us to live in peace and prosperity.

Amen