The Dream Merchants of Divine Grace

There is a grandmother's story that fits in well with the attitude and approach of many priests/poojaris/mullahs today, who pretend to have direct access to God and claim monopoly over the dispensation of divine grace. There was this nasty old lady living in the village. Eating opium, spreading rumours and finding fault with everything were her main preoccupations. The villagers were afraid to confront her as the only cock in the village belonged to her. Watches and clocks were not in use in the village at that time. People used to get up in the morning by hearing the cocks crow. If the old lady got angry with them and went away, she would also take her cock along, and they would not be able to get up in the morning in time for starting their daily chores. So it was in their own interest that she should continue remaining with them in the village. The problem was much more serious. The cock crowed, and the sun rose! If the cock did not crow...... well, they could even think of the utter darkness into which they would fall! Hence, they were even ready to pay her a 'cock tax' so that she would never leave their village.... The ignorance of the people was the bliss of the nasty old lady. Once the villagers could be awakened to the truth that the sun would rise even if her cock did not crow, they would be liberated from her exploitation..... The priestly class in every religion tries to keep the gullible members under their control with various poojas and sacraments, feasts and festivals, dogmas and doctrines, claiming that these will get them the grace of God and the final salvation/ moksha/heaven after death. They are the dream merchants of divine grace exploiting the ignorant people with their foolish claims. The people could be liberated from their control and exploitation only when they realise that God and His infinite grace can never be limited to scriptures, poojas, sacraments, rituals, dogmas..etc. of the various religions of humankind. "Eternal life is knowing the one true God and His Christ, taught Jesus of Nazareth. A correct understanding of the One True God is the basis of enlightenment and liberation. Religions and their scriptures are meant to help us in our quest for the ultimate purpose and meaning of life in this world.