"I don't have all the answers to the big questions in life -" Lexi why not! Seriously, no one has all the answers and those who pretend they do, are either lying or they delude themselves. Unfortunately one of the delusions many of our religious brethren suffer from is its all 'God's will'. Millions should suffer injustice in this life so they can be 'rewarded' in the next, so they tell us, bad luck if there is no next life. They also say the wrong doers will be punished in the next life, so much hangs on there being a next life.
Its not an accident that religion is strongest in the poorest of places, always offering false hope to people. Religion is such a powerful tool for those that want to be in control. The clergy although often well meaning people can be unwitting participants in this 'big lie'. In the past and today there have been clergy who have spoken out and many have paid the penalty for their actions, but so many have gone along with injustice and said nothing.

Dear Paul,

People tend to hang onto whatever gives them solace.
Perhaps that's human nature - I don't know. I do know
that when I was travelling around the poorest parts of
Mexico a few years ago - and saw the most magnificent
churches in the poorest of places - I couldn't help
asking - why this ornate church - the money spent could
have provided the entire village with irrigation for their
crops. I was told it was a matter of village "pride."
They chose to build the church for their self-esteem and
could manage the water problem in other ways.

I accepted the explanation. I suppose as an "outsider," it's
very easy to judge others by our standards but everything is
relative: everything has its story; and everyone has
obstacles to overcome. They are our greatest teachers.
Each of us goes through transitions and transformations.
The important thing is that we acknowledge them and learn from
them. Certain events in our lives change our perception and
perhaps help us to look at the world more clearly. Most of us
are not pundits and only have our own life experiences to go on.
We try as best we can to overcome the obstacles we face in life.
Sometimes we succeed, sometimes not. I guess the best we can
do is keep trying.

paul/quote..:""offering false hope to people.""

i look at it..not as faulse hope..as much as giving them a higher reasoning...of the goods inherant..in charity/grace/mercy...love

""Religion is such a powerful tool..for those that want to be in control.""

sure...and much abused
but in hell more of the same coin..is returned in full

""The clergy..although often well meaning people
can be unwitting participants in this 'big lie'.""'

or revealing a greater truth
while others..think to permiate great lies..for greater material advantage...[yet each reveals their inner being...that in the next life cant be hid]

you bare your soul
long after the material stain is removed
[there are no secrets..in the next life][think of saving someone...as multiplying karma...or as jesus said in the parrable...the servants who increased..their own grace..by giving others grace[get more grace]..

yet those returning only the gift[grace],
they are as nothing[the little they have..shall be taken]

""In the past..and today there have been clergy..who have spoken out and many have paid the penalty..for their actions,""

so it might seem
but how much more have they been compensated
the eternal comfort..vesis a material short term 'gain'

""but so many have gone along..with injustice and said nothing.""

great evil...allows for a greater good..to be done
its not trying..that adds up..to the karmic kickback

i know your works
we all know...thy works

those serving the vile...belong to the vile
have earned...back...all they took/gave..
in the same coin..they took/gave