An Epiphany

I have a friend who claims that she will return here reborn one day The essence of morality bereft of our mortal decay

Payton and I

I have a friend who says that she

will return here reborn one day

The essence of morality

bereft of our mortal decay

 

She claims only those who believe

will be allowed to live here then

This tapestry her god will weave

from all faithful women and men

 

I have a little misgiving

that I pose to a faithful few

What is it makes life worth living

if not the character we hew

 

Tolerance be the holy way

humility tempers us true

So why curtail what others say

as if this world were just for you

Our religions seem a bit grim

even somewhat selfish at best

Save ourselves by worshiping him

and to hell with all of the rest

 

No good man worships another

nor our father wish that from you

He'd rather you helped your brother

as any good father would do

If the Word be Truth let it shine

and echo out over the seas

May the Dreams be both yours and mine

as the winds that blow through the trees

 

Author's Note

Born and raised a Catholic I still find I often think on this conundrum. Why would a god want worship anymore than a father of his children? It would seem counter productive for a god to demand worship of you at the same time telling you as a father to be humble. God did not give me a brain to follow others like sheep. It would be wrong not to use it to question the concepts we hold dear. If this upsets someone I am sorry. Not for the idea but for the injury. I am forced by nature to question all we hold dear.

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This is a beautifully written and thought-provoking poem. For all of those who worship "God" for the sake of their own skins, forsaking all the rest, I wonder what that same "God" thinks of him being forsaken for all the rest. So many profess to believe; and yet, they try to mold God in the shape of man rather than the other way around.

Take any issue: abortion, same-sex marriage, couples living together before marriage, etc.; and one can clearly see how society as a whole has forsaken "God" in favor of themselves. Even those who act most fervently in the name of their "God," do so for their own selfish reasons that have nothing to do with God.

Beware the man - the beast - as lamb.

[Tate Morgan]

It is funny how god takes on our characteristics isnt it

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Predictable and true. :-)

[tynamite]

That is a good point. Why would a God who gave us free will to think for ourselves, ademantly demand us to worship him with faith, without question, and to be condemned if we don't. That doesn't sound like the loving caring God that the Bible portrays. Isn't it a weird coincidence, how it's only the people who convert others, who mention that God is the only way for eternal life, and the others don't think that way? You could also attribute people converting people to religions, as a way of control. I believe that karma is religion to atheists ecause people need a way to control them. That's why people never wanted the Bible translated?

[Ravyne Hawke]

I think your poem speaks truth, Tate. It seems the religious spend their time selfishly, only helping those who are just like themselves or trying to convert others to their particular religion under the guise of "helping" them. I would rather help others without forced conversion.

Save ourselves by worshiping him
and to hell with all of the rest

Truth to power, my friend!

[An owl on the moon]

You have generated some profoundly moving responses to your heartfelt questions and thoughts... The vastness of this topic is such that each individual, even from a similar religious background, holds unique interpretations of experiences and truth. I must say of myself that I was suicidal for years and that God gave me back my life.. gives me joy and a reason for living and loving even when days are dark. My song: "Amazing grace how sweet the sound..." Thank you for sharing your insights in a powerful, poetic way.

[Crowley]

Not so controversial as is a matter of thought and opinion in a time when there are as many realities as there can be contexts. Well written with tone that is neither harsh nor condemning. Let each man and woman eat what they will, and if it fills them with joy and happiness and a lust for life, then it is good. Cooking for others is gift as well, but sharing and shoving are two ends of the spectrum that don't rub elbows all that well. Share with me your thoughts and beliefs and I will compare those to my own experiences and beliefs. I will then do one of only three things, let it change me a little, let it change me a lot or let it change me not at all. But until I have recieved and respected the information that has been gifted to me, I can do none of those. Belief is largely based on ones experience, I think. If we try and grow and think for ourselves constantly, eventually we will find a paradigm that works for us. Is it reality? What difference does it make. Nice write Tate. See you in hell buddy....lol.

[Kes]

Our religions seem a bit grim
even somewhat selfish at best
Save ourselves by worshiping him
and to hell with all of the rest

I love this part. That's not a way I've looked at religion before.
My family are very secular. Mainly undecided, some atheist. I side with the latter. I've pondered questions like these since i was very young. My biggest problem with religion is that I can't get my head around this... entity... that won't interfere with the evils of the world. That could stand by.

He'd rather you helped your brother
while in life those wonders renew

I loved this bit too. Really, really made me think.
Taken literally - if it were a life or death situation, and it was between my dad and my brother, i know my dad would force me to choose my brother.
Really thought provoking.

Really enjoyed this, Tate.
Thanks for sharing. :)

[Patches I'm not so new..]

.I could not state my thoughts on this subject better than quinfinn has done except to say again that what she has say is an age old enigma I too have pondered the question of (im)-mortality and have come to no conclusion She in her reply gives a quote fro a jetro tull alblum cover back The same quote ao very similar one is in the play "Inherit the Wind" Goes something like this "God didn't create man in his own image man created God in his own image. I tend to agree with those assesments---- When in my teens I had the thought that quinfinn relates here "man cannot accept his own mortality." because the human mind cannot accept the concept of nothingness. tyou have done a top notch job here my friend Bravo!

[quinfinn]

this is an excellent reverence on an age old enigma, and you have crafted it in beautiful form and eloquently chosen wordage. i often ponder the relevancy
of religion in society and always come up with the same truth. man has a burning need to validate his existence and has created an omnipresent entity to justify
and give credence to all that he cannot explain. man cannot accept his mortality,
therefore he has to believe there is something more after this short life.
there is an old album by jethro tull (i think the 70's) called aqualung.
on the back cover there is a cleverly worded parody about religion that says
(and this is from memory, so don't hold me to exactness)
"in the beginning there was man... man created god in his own image
and saw that it was good" food for thought?

[David W Moore III]

Nothing wronfg with a bit of controversy... get's everyone to thinking. strong stuff here, and definitely makes one think about their life and their beliefs

[Joel M Frye]

Wow, Tate...powerful stuff. I was born and raised in a cultish religion; when my brain started to function, I asked uncomfortable questions such as yours. When I received dogmatic or fear-based answers, I left when I was old enough to choose. It took me years to rediscover a faith that worked for me, and faith led me back to the same questions. It's only when I began to get answers through living and wise counsel that I got the gift of belief. If I am questioned about my belief today, I am comfortable with the answers I give. I believe that's the worship my Higher Power would have me give...testimony to how I came to believe.

[Celeste21]

Truth is subjective. Research and find what you believe for yourself. People that are hung over whatever religion you decide to follow or not follow or missing some vital information. They all have the same core values. Respect, unity, community, trust, giving.. I think as long as you strive to be the best person you know you can be there is a place for you with happiness. That's my take.. Coming from a non-religious background.