4umi Khalil Gibran : The Wanderer / God and Many Gods

God And Many Gods

In the city of Kilafis a sophist stood on the steps of th Temple and preached many gods. And the people said in their hearts, "We know all this. Do they not live with us and follow us wherever we go?"

Not long after, another man stood in the market place and spoke unto the people and said, "There is no god." And many who heard him were glad of his tidings, for they were afraid of gods.

And upon another day there came a man of great eloquence, an he said, "There is but one God." And now the people were dismayed for in their hearts they feared the judgment of one God more than that of many gods.

That same season there came yet another man, and he said to the people, "There are three gods, and they dwell upon the wind as one, and they have a vast and gracious mother who is also their mate and their sister."

Then everyone was comforted, for they said in their secret, "three gods in one must needs disagree over our failings, and besides, their gracious mother will surely be an advocate for us poor weaklings."

Yet even to this day there are those in the city of Kilafis who wrangle and argue with each other about many gods and no god, and one god and three gods in one, and a gracious mother of gods.

- --oOo-- -
 Khalil Gibran Introductory biography Spirits Rebellious The Broken Wings A Tear and a Smile The Madman The Forerunner The Prophet The New Frontier Sand and Foam Jesus, The Son Of Man The Earth Gods The Wanderer The Wanderer Garments The Eagle and The Skylark The Love Song Tears and Laughter At the Fair The Two Princesses The Lightning Flash The Hermit and the Beasts The Prophet and the Child The Pearl Body and Soul The King Upon the Sand The Three Gifts Peace and War The Dancer The Two Guardian Angels The Statue The Exchange Love and Hate Dreams The Madman The Frogs Laws and Law-Giving Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow The Philosopher and the Cobbler Builders of Bridges The Field of Zaad The Golden Belt The Red Earth The Full Moon The Hermit Prophet The Old, Old Wine The Two Poems Lady Ruth The Mouse and the Cat The Curse The Shadow The Pomegranates God and Many Gods She Who Was Deaf The Quest The Sceptre The Path The Whale and the Butterfly Peace Contagious Seventy Finding God The River The Two Hunters The Other Wanderer Al-Nay The Garden of the Prophet Lazarus and His Beloved Satan My Countrymen I Believe In You Your Thought And Mine You Have Your Lebanon History and the Nation The Vision Visual art