I've perused the literature
And read the philosophy
Bright enough to see contradiction
How religion can never be
Try to scare away the boogieman
Pernicious fear of death
I'm quite sure there's nothing waiting
When I draw my last breath
But I thank all the grapes that died for me
Lullaby in a bottle, chemical serenity
Yes, I thank all the grapes that died for me
Telling children there's a tyrant
Way up in the sky
That enforces every thought and rule
Has no business being taught in school
That's just mind control that's so obtuse
Shame based discipline borders on abuse
Book of legends and myths being God's own word
Wake up, grow up, can't you see the absurd?
But I thank all the grapes that died for me
Pinot grigio, sauvignon, chardonnay, rose, chablis
Before I can rest my eyes, I must first anesthetize
Yes I thank all the grapes that died for me
Juvenile and egocentric to think
You're unique and special when born pink
Finger prints and your own DNA?
A chimpanzee's a half chromosome away...
Mother Earth has birthed 10 billion copies, too
Of people who are just like you
How can we make any head way
When delusions and customs get in the way
But I thank all the grapes that died for me
I believe in a sensation that moves me every time
The world is much more mellow with another glass of wine
So I thank all the grapes that died for me
Author notes
From the Gospel of Thomas
(28) Jesus said: I stood in the midst of the world, and I appeared to them in flesh. I found them all drunk, I found none among them thirsting; and my soul was afflicted for the sons of men, for they are blind in their heart and they do not see. For empty came they into the world, seeking also to depart empty from the world. But now they are drunk. When they have thrown off their wine, then will they repent.
I'm hoping, Georgia, that the spirit of the rules allows me to pick a verse not listed. I have enjoyed the exposure to this controversial book.
This is dedicated to the modern militant athiests; Most directly to Christoper (christbearer!) Hitchens
A contest entry
- Quote Interpretation ~ The Gospel of Thomas by aslanlight.
475 points, ended June 20, 6 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - VICIOUS PARODY & HEARTLESS MOCKERY by Edna Sweetlove.
570 points, ended September 4, 15 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - CONTAINS RELIGION [Caution: May pollute your mind] by Southern Twilight.
800 points, ended October 1, 43 entries
• next poem in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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not you? no
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Read my June 5 comment
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I enjoyed this. I liked your take on the verse. I have not read the Book of Thomas. I am only vaguely familiar with it from the History Channel. I believe though that the scripture is part of the Coptic Christian Church in Egypt.
Great job.
Mike
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I think this is rather good. I am not familiar with the original (thank Gawd) but your version has all the horror of the trite balls which is shoved down kids' gobs in religious schools and households.
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Lord. First, doubting Thomas Which one of the apostles stayed with Jesus, through his horrors he faced in Gethsemane? Nevermind,I know the answer.
I'll just say I get my "God" from the pages of Thomas Paine, Horace, Erasmus, Jung, and sometimes Dorothy Parker
. . .Lysistrata is as imporatnt to me as the story of Jonah.
I also believe in Elijah, Judith, Tobit, and Dr. Luke.
Montaigne bear also his cross, as did St. Thomas More.
I find wisdom in watching my little girls play. I've been every structuralized religious follower, and I've never questioned God. I find it also interesting that there has unfailingly been someform of Mother Worshipp.
Goddess worship. The first poem ever recorded was over 20,000 years ago, and it was a prayer to a mother goddess.
What I'm saying is I'd be willing to buy the miracles if it weren't for the revisionists. First Jerome..I mean come on!
Alas, I digress. Don't get me started on structuralized religion. I believe in God. My higher power. I don't need a man to tell me how.
thank you, and have a good night
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If any had stayed with him in Gethsemane, they would have eased his burden, however slightly; and "yet it pleased God to bruise him". There were deep and wonderful things happening as Jesus fullfilled his mission...
I love to tell people I am praying for that they would have comforted Jesus in the Garden...
and Jesus left his opinion on structured religion-"You have made the word of God of none effect with your traditions."
I thought lysistrata was a kind of dinosaur. Wrong...
The things angry women will drink out of...
God is concealed. For his own purposes. His revelation is a gift...
Everything that is masculine, and feminine come out of his creativity, his essense.
In hebrew scripture, he suggests Gods be tested by their ability to tell the future. He then fills the book with prophesy. If you are interested, Psalms 22 and Isaiah 53 fortell the tale of Jesus' death and purpose.
Take a look at "A Father's Loveletter" (google) and tell me what you think...
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This was very well written and even though I have not read the gospel of Thomas I was very moved by this piece. I just really feel bad for Atheist because they have nothing to live by or look forward. If we didnt have a God to worship then how deeply sad would we be. Living life on our with no one to pray to at any moment. In our times of need no one to pray and talk to??? What about when we need supernatural healings and we need to be delivered out of the hands of the enemy??? You mean to tell me that an Atheist who claims not to worship anyone or thing can survive the trials while on the earth alone??? People have got to worship something because it is in us to worship. Whether it be God or a car; they must worship something. Anyways back to the poem. The rhyming was awesome. I had to read over it a couple of times but it was a good poem. Some powerful thoughts were in here.
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Thanks for coming and reading something of mine. Blessings of the Lord upon you. Please read the other comments here; I answer quite a bit of your questioning there. Your statements are true and heartfelt. The greatest pain I carry in my heart is for people I love, that I know cannot bring themselves to believe, or make the support of Christ available to help them through the tribulation promised in this life.
Gospel of Thomas- is a list of sayings. One way the synoptic gospels are better is the sayings are in context. Many of the sayings have a nebulous zen cone like property. It does not appear to me to have the flavor of Jewish tradition one would expect if Thomas had been the author. He did however, end his ministry in India; I suppose the influences there he may have familiarized himself with. As Paul wrote,"I have become all things to all people, that I may by all means win some to Christ." Historical documentation is much weaker than the four Gospels of the new testament. If you apply the critisms that call the authenticity of the Synoptic Gospels into question, that look at similarities as signs of copying, and differences as sings of contradiction; that later writers used Greek and Roman god understandings to make a god of Jesus, that time passing allowed myths and legends to obscure the true nature of Christ; most of the gnostic gospels are not nearly as resilient.
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Very good.
The world is seen through grapeskin tinted spectacles at times and sometimes a soul needs anaesthetising to comprehend.
When left to our own devices, man has a nasty habit of straying into vinyards and this can lead to some rather lacksy daisical behaviour.
If you drink you will die,
If you don't drink you will die.
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I thoughroughly enjoyed this poem and your author's comments! I agree with you about certain aspects of religion; they've twisted and corrupted many people's ideas of God. I wouldn't say that's your average believer's fault though and I'm on fire with the spirit within the grape! That's God to you.
Peace Georgia
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I watched several debates between Cris Hitchens (GOD IS NOT GREAT; HOW RELIGION POISONS EVERYTHING) and Al (not so) Sharpton, who seeing the best seller, said "Says Who?" The strongest thing he said to hitch was "You are not God." The rest of the time he conveniently confirmed hitch's points. The ideas here are Chris's. I find them, and most Atheists arguments to be confirmational Bias, Presentisms, and predjudicial language. They are just as blind to the truth that their opinions are statements of faith. To believe there is no life after death or that there is some form of life after death are both semantically equal (and unknowable) statements of faith.
He called the christian notion of God a terrorist. Also said that Uniqueness was soclally damaging.
He pointed to the veneration of Abraham as a person who heard voices and prepared to kill (abuse) his own son to please the voices in his head (we know how to treat those kind of people now) was delusional. That thinking is anchored in presentism, judging the past by a modern standard. The bible records God's interaction with man, and the journey had to start somewhere- you have to first engage people, and love them, where they are at- where else can they be?
It was standard practice to sacrifice children to gods in that day. Abe found a way to quit! That is social progress!
Eye for Eye, limited revenge. That is progress! Jesus was hardest on the leaders responsible for showing the way to God. "YOu have made the word of God of none effect, with your traditions!" Yep. it got twisted.
They that worship, must worship in spirit, and truth...
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Well done!
I enjoyed so many different elements of your poem, the rhyme scheme, rhythm, the tongue in cheek humor and your imagery. I especially loved the wine reference, a bit of double meaning here, eh? Whatever happened to the Sangiovese grapes?
. Many grapes have died in my own personal sacrament to my muse. Impressive write, keep your pen to the page and good luck in the contest!
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I loved this poem and its sentiments ...
but I also love all souls. All. Unconditionally. NOT their deeds. On this topic of the fruit of trees I shall rant, so: I feel a Finger to my lips. God, and He as Christ, and as Holy Spirit, I love passionately. I do not feel that I am hated because of this love ... in this world I do feel a shield of Love surrounding me. But: what does it matter if I am slain in the flesh? It is my living soul and spirit that live IN HIM.
Your poem is not mean. It is humorous and rational. But: God is above our reason. He shall show mercy we cannot even contemplate. He will also SLASH with wrath. But ours it is not -- we may not judge -- our weapon is Love.
Yes, do not get drunk from wine. But: enjoy its fruit! As all the fruit of God's creation. (I simply LOVE my Cabernet Sauvignon
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Blessed be, Warrior of Light!
Myra
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You are good for my soul. My meditation for the last 5-6 months is "Cultivate Compassion"
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There was a time when I fell into the circle of this piece. There was a time when I could have echoed every word. I liked the the rhyming in this write and appreciate the message that is put on display. As a poem it stands tall and as a message it carries the soul of one who has made a choice. The notes say that it is dedicated to the modern militant athiests. I find that more than odd. There is no reason to be militant if athiesm is true. Militance in and of itself screams that there is something to fight for. If atheism is actully the correct thinking then not only is there nothing to fight for, there is the totallity of NOTHING. Why bother? It is a self defeating premise that has no foundation upon which to build anything. How cold the thought that we are on our own and still believe that we should correct those who do not believe that. Nothing matters, there's nothing to discuss or correct, NOTHING. Interesting although nonsense in and of itself. The surplus of libation states the real purpose of this right and it aptly should be so. As the apostle Paul said, If Christ is not risen then eat and DRINK for tomorrow we die. He carried the same sentiment. The difference was that he believed that in real time space and history Christ really did defeat death. Was he right, it only matters if the question is actually be thought about sincerely. One thing is for sure, atheists have little or at best nothing to say. All that matters is gone once we embrace the ideals listed in thie great bit of verse. A toast my firend. Think I'll have a drink now. However, unlike your poem I have no reason to correct anyone. NOTHING MATTERS! RC
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Ha! just reread again! Paid closer attention to your refrain. Love the allusion.
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If you know me personally, you know that I object whole- heartedly to the premise of the speaker of the piece in the first place, and find it humanistically haughty--obtuse and absurd, to borrow your words.
I think you have done some really great things here! I love the refrain sort of feel that the repetition gives as well as the effect that rephrasing and restating your objection has upon the reader. This has a really light feel to it. It is condescending but in a jovial sort of way. A skillful approach.
Your rhyme and rhythm are very well done, and even some internal rhyming gives that extra lyrical feel.
Wonderful penning! (I do worry about the guy's liver, though!
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