Among the Faithless

Among the Faithless

A Poem by Linda Marie Van Tassell
"

Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo

"
I went to church on Sunday to give praise unto the Lord,
and I found myself worshipping among the faithless hoard.
O! They dressed the part, gave their tithes, and even shook my hand.
The preacher spoke of love and life, of God's great Promise Land.

He spoke of Christian duty and of helping those in need.
He spoke of humility and of corporate crime and greed.
He preached about salvation, of war, and retribution,
said we should confess our sins and pray for absolution.

The collection plate circled round, was passed from pew to pew,
as the preacher spoke of church events, some old and some new.
He spoke of matrimony and the Blessed, Holy bond,
talked of family values in this world and the beyond.

The sermon seemed to center around the power of love,
of the grace and mercy that God bestows from up above.
Thus, he wanted to recognize the longest married pair,
giving them dinner for two, a blessing, and a prayer.

Next, he queried the newlyweds, married three years or less;
and couples stood together, two-by-two, in Sunday dress.
The window of time was dropped 'til only two were standing.
There were no accolades, just the hush of silent branding.

Stares shot across the room as the contest moderators
conferred among themselves about the two desecrators.
For, there among the holy, stood two women in their prime,
married in San Francisco two days before in warmer clime.

I think I held my breath; I could feel my poor heart beating.
This was not my notion of a joyous Sunday meeting.
The parishioners snickered; I heard the words "queer" and "gay."
I was beyond shock, and I didn't quite know what to say.

It was a most awkward moment; the couple stood in tears.
One of them had attended there for over fifteen years.
They went from sharing their joy to sharing their grief and shame.
It had quickly turned out to be the crying sort of game.

They were awarded dinner without congratulation.
In the eyes of the church, they were an abomination.
The preacher felt duty-bound to condemn them on the spot
lest all his Sunday lessons be overlooked and forgot.

And I couldn't help but think of the faithless in their fear,
of how they live contrary to the things that they revere.
"Judge not, lest ye be judged;" but they do at every turn.
Why not embrace the sinner if they share God's discern?

I walked out of service, followed the women to their car.
I felt compelled to tell them that I love them as they are.
I asked for forgiveness for the church and congregation.
None of us are perfect nor above God's condemnation.

Wiping tears away, one of them smeared makeup on her sleeve.
She thanked me for my compassion and then they turned to leave.
I no longer attend Loving Grace, a Christian castaway.
I know where we both stand, and there is nothing left to say.

© 2010 Linda Marie Van Tassell


Author's Note

Linda Marie Van Tassell
John 8, King James Version

1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

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Touching piece of work. It tells about the person that you are, about how open your mind is to the world. And yes, an open mind and an honest heart is all that is required to be a writer. That's what I have perceived till now.

I agree, hypocrisy is worser than atheism. In all these years of keeping the legacy of religions, the very advocates of God have forgotten the main reason this institution of religion abides to. They have turned blind to the very message religion gives--that we all are equal. We all are the rulers of our destiny. No sin is greater than inhumanity, hate and greed. For we hold a meaning, only when we are together.

A very good message, i must say.
My fav lines have to be...
"And I couldn't help but think of the faithless in their fear,
of how they live contrary to the things that they revere.
"Judge not, lest ye be judged;" but they do at every turn.
Why not embrace the sinner if they share God's discern?"... (i doubt if discern suits here)

Even if this poem isn't as symbolic as your masterpieces, but perhaps a fit of rage and outburst of emotions has made you write this.

Always enjoy your writings.
:)


A great mind had once said "The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one"

Posted 14 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

i am not really sure how to respond to that. why did they say that were they the same sex or no. that seems very odd but lota things i don't feel compfortable with the worlds accepted as we was created as man and woman to marry as man and woman not marry the same sex as far as marring. thats how i was raised i won't Judge them by the book of the cover but the wrong in the world i teach my son what is right. and ever one has done so much to Corrupt the world and many don't know whats right or wrong any more it's sad really even the schools are messed up thats why i make sure my son is'nt taught the wrong things he's very smart so he understands alot he's 10yrs old the world is a scary place i will tell you this is never how it was at one time the world that is , and when i was a child i knew the world was'nt like this and i would'nt believe it. now if my Cooment here Offeneds you i am sorry i am not trying to do that but any who tc you have a good night god bless


Posted 14 Years Ago


1 of 2 people found this review constructive.

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RTB
I have never been one for religious poetry and after writeing one i figured i apreciate it now and this one took alot more effort then mine and the belief and love u put into was truly a work of art keep goin ur treading a beautiful path in poetry :)

Posted 14 Years Ago



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Added on July 17, 2010
Last Updated on July 17, 2010
Tags: Hypocrisy, Prejudice, Ignorance, Love, Hate, Religion, Faith, Faithless

Author

Linda Marie Van Tassell
Linda Marie Van Tassell

VA



About
Poetry has been my passion since I was about fifteen years old, and I love the structure of rhyme and meter moreso than just randomly throwing words upon a page without any form whatsoever. Whi.. more..

Writing

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