Two Fathers: A Parable 

Once there were two fathers, each was very wealthy and prosperous and ruled a vast domain. Each parent was also blessed with an abundance of children. 

The first father told his children that he loved them. He also gave them rules to follow or else they would incur his wrath. After a time, all his children disobeyed his rules, some more than others. They were told to leave his home because he could not abide any form of disobedience in his domain. His children had to offer him sacrifices and pledge devotion to him to receive forgiveness for their offences. Only a few did this as many others had not been told by their siblings what was necessary to obtain a pardon. After many years, the father opened the doors of his mansion to receive the few children who had heard how to be forgiven. The doors were then shut and locked and the tormentors went out and took the remaining children to the place of torture to forever be punished for their transgressions, while their brothers and sisters were having a party with the father, oblivious to their missing family.  

The second father also told his children that he loved them and informed them about the best way for them to be happy in this world was by loving one another and treating each other with kindness and compassion. They could choose for themselves how they would live, knowing that their actions would have consequences.  After some time, many of the children left the father’s home because they did not want to follow his command. They engaged in evil and wicked behavior towards each other, while cursing the name of the father and others even disowning him and claiming that he did not exist. After many years, the father declared a banquet for all family members and invited everyone to come. While many did arrive for the banquet, many others would not enter the father’s home, preferring to stay outside in the darkness. When the father was informed, he was brokenhearted, but he declared that the doors would never be shut to his children and when they were ready to come home, he would be there ready and waiting with open arms to welcome them. For they had always been family and would forever be welcome in his home.  

Now tell me, which father truly loved his children?