Unitarian Universalist Broadcasting Network Presents: Children's Service 1997

Announcer: And now for your viewing pleasure ... To Tell the Truth!

Host: Welcome to the show that asks you to find out the TRUTH. Today we have invited God to join us in hopes that we can find out, "Who is God, Really?" Will the contestants rise and introduce yourselves, please?

God 1: I am God.

God 2: I am God.

God 3: (This god is dressed all in black, never speaks --just waves her arms mysteriously.)

God 4: I am God.

God 5: I am God.

God 6: 1 am God.

Host: Let's see if we can get at the truth and find out which of these is the real God. May we have some questions from our studio Audience. You, sir? (The host will walk with microphone into the audience as they do on TV shows like "Oprah.")

Audience Member 1: If you could use just one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

God 1: Creator.

God 2: Destroyer.

God 3:

God 4: Peace

God 5: Cosmic

God 6: Nature.

Host: Next question from the gentleman in the second row. (Hand next questioner the microphone.)

Audience Member 2: What kinds of people believe in you?

God 1: In the ancient times, many people worshipped me, the great Mother Goddess. I have many names and I am worshipped all over the world. In Greece I am known as Demeter and in parts of Africa I am Maat. In ancient Egypt I am Isis and in Sumaria my name is called Innana. Buddhists of Tibet call me Tara. Today my name is called within these very walls by people who see the beauty of nature, the miracle of birth, and power of creation. Rise up and Call My Name!

God 2: Look for me in the stories of the Old Testament. Those who believe in me see me smite their enemies. In Hinduism I am known as Shiva, the God of Destruction.

God 3:

God 4: From long ago in Biblical times up until today, people have longed for a world of peace and fairness. Jews and Christians have an image of such a world where lions and lambs lie down together, where justice and fairness flow like water, and where people turn their swords into plows. Unitarians are concerned about war and we are working to bring about God's peaceable realm on earth. This place can be any place with rules and attitudes that help differing powers and interests get along peaceably. It can be in our hearts or it can be in the whole world.

God 5: Stargazers, people who wonder about the universe and people who study the beginning of time, energy, and matter, also known as cosmologists, believe in me.

God 6: For many centuries, the Native Americans of the Plains have believed that there is one great, mysterious power in the world called Wakan Tankan. They also believe that all things in nature can tell them what this great Spirit is like. Since all natural things share some image of God in them, it means that all of nature is related. For Native Americans, it is as though Wakan Tankan is their Grandfather, the earth is their Grandmother, and the sun, stars, eagles, trees, and grasses are their brothers and sisters. The People would often select objects of nature to be their special guardian spirits. This selection usually occurred during the Vision Quest.

Host: Thank you, God. We can take one more question from our audience. Yes ...

Audience Member 3: What would you say is your most important quality?

God 1: I am the power that causes things to grow. I bring forth the food that nourishes. I provide all that you need for life to be sustained. I teach of love through nature and all its beings.

God 2: My powerful force is destruction. You see my power in earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, disease, war, famine and fire. Remember Noah and the Flood? That was me! Remember the plagues in Egypt of locusts, frogs and famine? That was me, too! You should tremble and bow down before me.

God 3:

God 4: 1 am the God of forgiveness, unselfishness and acceptance. I treat all men and women equally. I want enemies to learn to get along and to turn their energy from making weapons into making tools for pleasant, peaceful living for all.

God 5: I started the Big Bang that created the galaxies, the stars, the planets and all life forms. The universe I created is still evolving.

God 6: 1 am the God of unity and wholeness. I can show you how the earth and all natural objects are interconnected and worthy of respect and protection. Through me you can understand the power of nature.

Host: That's all the time we have for today. Let's see how our audience feels about today's contestants. Please indicate with your applause which of these you think is the real God. (Host holds hand over each of the "gods " and the audience applauds.) God Number 1. God Number 2. God Number 3. God Number 4. God Number 5. God Number 6. Now it's time to reveal the TRUTH. Will the real God please stand up?

(The "gods " look at each other, start to stand and sit down again, then they all stand up.) Commercial: (Come out with cookies and coffee cup)
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Announcer: Thank you for joining us for today's broadcast. Please join our cast in singing our theme song.

Children's Benediction: May Peace Surround you. May joy surround you, As you go, as you go, on your way.