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. :-)

[M.a. Benjamin]

I too was born and raised catholic. With that said i feel that although faith is a strong quality that few nowadays have, organized religions have drifted over the course of history away from their purpose of instilling faith in their respective followers. Religion should install love in our fellow man, not discrimination, and i feel like this poem stresses that concept. Well done piece.

[George Korolog]

I liked this piece very much. Great rhyming and meter and a thoughtful message. Nice to see something on here that is more than teenage angst.

[Caitlynxoxo]

You're absolutely right! More people need to live this way, with that belief, and because of so much ontroversy over the subject, people tend to chose the easiest belief and roll with it. Your poem speaks loudly of the issue in a very creative way. Suffice to say, it made me think :)

xoxo Caitlyn xoxo

[George Love]

Very deep work Tate. You ponder the same thoughts of every other mortal on this planet. I've heard the dying words of those passing away and they deny their mortality. Some leave behind notes, others leave videos stating their intent to return because they knwo their work was not finished. It's so hard to sift through the meanings of all the world's religions and find a common belief on martality and the after life that is truly a common thread.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Not upset in the least! This brought out excellent points! I was raised a bapetist, to believe in God and follow him. Who am I to judge in anyones christianty? My only hopes and prayers is that everyone learns about God, but I'm not going to push my beliefs or religon on anyone! Excellent and well written!

[History abhors a parado..]

If more catholics thought like this then the world would be a more insightful place, epic piece of poetry this, thought provoking with a strong flow, when I started reading it grabbed me, if a piece of writing does that, then I have no complaints.
Cool stuff man
:)

[KAREN]

I'm not up set at all. In this day and time you have to be careful who you worship and follow. I grew up believing in God, so thats where I'm at today. I don't push my religion on anyone. As long as your alright with your christanity that's all that matters! Excellent write!!

[Audrey Howitt]

I too was raised Catholic and find that over time, my beliefs have morphed to a sense that we are all connected and it is that connection that is so important. How then can we not help anyone in need? Your poetry speaks to a part of me that I do not often show others. Thank you.

[Samuel Dickens]

I grew up in the Bible Belt, but practiced no religion at all until my mid-teens, at which time I became a frequently-doubting Baptist. Enthusiasm fluctuated over the years, and I never could really "believe" some of the things they taught. Then, in the eighties, I saw a combining of politics and religion. Soon, Christianity became a fad and I was very put off by it all. I still believe in a supreme creator and that Jesus's teachings are fantastic rules to live by, ie "love thy neighbor", "let he who is without sin cast the first stone", etc, but my views have overall softened a great deal. I will no longer say that anyone who isn't a Christian can't or won't go to heaven, nor will I dismiss the religious beliefs of others. The fact is that no mortal will sit in judgement of another. It's all out of our hands. My younger brother who died almost four years ago rejected all religion, yet he was more kind, honest and moral than any devout church-goer I've ever known. Am I to accept the view that he is in hell? No. Sorry, but I can't.

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

Tate,

I find your thoughts interesting..I do not know exactly what the Catholic believe..I do know that the Catholic and Protestant faiths are not exactly alike..I am of the Protestant faith..One thing that I know that God gave his creation Man and Woman a free will..We can chose to follow him and love him or not it is our choice..Hell was made for satan and all his angels...It was not made for man but then when one choses to follow satan one gets to be with him for eternity..Sunflower..