“A Soul at the Gates of Heaven”

“The man came before the Gates of Heaven. And God asked him why he should be admitted. The man replied, “I am a Christian, Lord.” And God asked to him, “Have you followed the teachings of Jesus?” “I have hated the sinner and driven her from her place of safety. I have protected hard-earned wealth and kept it from the grasping poor. I have exposed and rejected those who loved their own kind and those who sought entry into our land without permission. I have fought to put into the position of highest power a man who does not accept those who disagree, does not help those who have nothing to help him with, and returns an entire head for an eye.” “And in doing all this, do you think that you have followed the teachings of Jesus? For he told you that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the merciful, the pure, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted. But you brag to me about your pride and your victories over these same meek people. You took food from the tables of children and gave great monetary gifts to the very richest amongst you. You helped the powerful steal the water from the poor who thirsted. You showed no mercy to those with whom you disagreed, taking from them all they valued: their self-respect, their contentment, and their homes. You denied the sick their medicine so that your friends could become even richer than they already were. And you attacked and haunted those who had already, throughout your history, been persecuted. You attacked those least able to defend themselves. This Heaven is not for you!”