moral transaction

transactional morality

without boundry

without cost

the spectator judges

they judge us

without remorse

without shame

the spectator judges

they use us

when convenient

when useful

morality is transactional

to them

to the spectator judges

life does not matter

only transaction is rational

from high in this castle

we are just ants on the ground

Author's Note

"The unborn are a convenient group of people to advocate for. 

They never make demands of you; they are morally uncomplicated, unlike the incarcerated, addicted, or the chronically poor; 

they don’t resent your condescension or complain that you are not politically correct; unlike widows, they don’t ask you to question patriarchy; 

unlike orphans, they don’t need money, education, or childcare; 

unlike aliens, they don’t bring all that racial, cultural, and religious baggage that you dislike; 

they allow you to feel good about yourself without any work at creating or maintaining relationships; and when they are born, you can forget about them, because they cease to be unborn. You can love the unborn and advocate for them without substantially challenging your own wealth, power, or privilege, without re-imagining social structures, apologizing, or making reparations to anyone. They are, in short, the perfect people to love if you want to claim you love Jesus, but actually dislike people who breathe. Prisoners? Immigrants? The sick? The poor? Widows? Orphans? All the groups that are specifically mentioned in the Bible? They all get thrown under the bus for the unborn"

 - Methodist Pastor David Barnhart

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Pastor... I was inspired to read Jeremiah... and it seemed to be my inspiration for my latest Poem. I tend to be an optimist... knowing that there may be political debates that are not "for the People" in our Preamble that has served us Well. It seems like the Garden of Good and Evil where Citizens are torn apart because someone wants to be the Power that decides the Fate of Millions who deserve Peace and Goodwill on Earth. I happen to be an elderly Senior Citizen who lights a Candle to pray for Divine Guidance. Thank you for your Service in the Battle of Honor. Be blessed. softly, Pat

[Davidgeo]

I get the sense you think I'm pastor Dave... I am not that dude. I'm just a random Dave who happens to be a fan of pastor Dave. I'm not really a big fan of religion actually, but I do find great insight in religious scholars, past and present. I am a big David Barnhart fan (the guy quoted in the summary). His general interpretation is, to me, how modern religion should be interpreted and expressed. If people keep weaponizing morality for social and political gain... it's not going to end well eventually.

[Davidgeo]

(modern day crusades will probably be more pernicious than the old school crusades where warrior class were just murdering other warrior class people. Everyone is connected now... it might be much worse this time)

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Dave... my main Belief is in the Holy Spirit. I also believe in forgiveness if a Person is truly sincere. Some people say they can forgive, but not forget. It is actually up to a higher Power to Forgive. I do not know the Answers; however I recognize a Kind Person and appreciate that so much. Our World is very Fragile... and I think of all the Children who are Innocent. I also Pray that everyone confined some Peace to survive difficult Times. It is a Comfort to share our thoughts with others. Be Well and Safe. gently, Pat

[Davidgeo]

Peace be with you my dear

[Arundass TP]

Sure. Judgement will have errors. Good poem

[Davidgeo]

That's why we should not judge hundreds of millions of people all at once. Small errors in judgement on that scale can lead to extremely destructive consequences spanning multiple generations.

[Arundass TP]

Great work sir. Welcome always