What could make me take the label of Christian?
To be forever seen as
Manipulative
Hypocritical
Judgmental
The worst of all that we have sworn not to be.
In purging our souls of the filth that plagues our lives,
We haven't and will never succeed.
What could make me take the label of Christian?
To be forever critiqued on the way I
Worship
Interpret
Tithe
Because my way might not be their way,
And their way couldn't possibly be wrong.
What could make me take the label of Christian?
Only to forever be with a God that is
Loving
Personal
Real
Who will help me not to become like the helpless marionettes:
Placing all their steps in accordance to the puppeteers,
So that one day they might get to pull the strings.
Faith is a journey;
Religion is Theater.
A contest entry
- Religion in all its fraudulant glory .. 300 points to all that enter + 4000 for winner by Nogod.
4900 points, ended July 16, 2008, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think? Poetically? Theologically?
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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HMMMMMM
Your penning is for sure controversial. It's scary how people don't want the "so called" label of a Christian.Excuses like this pile that you have combined is Theater,major drama. I sooo want to tell you that you are an awesome poet, but I wouldn't want you to have to walk around with that label on your back! I am not being rude at all, that last line was actually just "labeled" wrong. For, as far as your write goes, it is very good. I abhor the meaning of the piece, but I don't even know you, and being a Christian myself, I shouldn't be judging anyone. I have read some of your work, and enjoyed what I saw.
These type of pennings are very hard to critique, for the reader wants to argue about the label that is stamped on it(interpretation), instead of actually explaining to you how good of a writer you are. And, I'm as guilty as the next one. It takes a brave soul to even throw something like this out there, and I commend you for that! You have an awesome ability of telling it like you see it, and I FOR SURE like that about your work. And you are so correct in saying the last two lines, for my husband was the custodian for a non denominational church for 5 yrs, and being a Christian, he daily would come home mortified by the events that go on there. It was ALL, me, me, me, and money, money, money. So I was glad to see you explain that in those last two lines. CUDOS
As far as the label thing, I think of the mark of the beast in Revelations from the Bible, and The New World Society is working hard on giving all of us a permanent label, the chip that is even being implanted in pet's, will sooner than we think begin to be seen on people's foreheads. And if anyone let's someone stick a barcode on their body, well,,,,.And it is written that if we don't take this "label", we won't be able to buy food, necessities, etc. It is happening as I type. That is one "label" that I refuse to take. If it's off with my head, then so be it. THEN, you can talk about being a puppet on a string, and actually forever be one. As, I said, the piece is QUITE the controversy, and you did a fine job showing your talent.
POETDONTKNOWIT
WRITING IT HER OWN WAY
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It's is hard for me to comment on this poem, as I am a christian; however, I am not a church-goer, and I don't obey anyone's rules but my own. I have 100% faith in my God - and almost none in Christianity as a religion. For the most part, I am in agreement with you. Organized religion is a waste of time - and all of our money. I proudly call myself christian, and I am none of the things that the christian church has been labelled with...
I love the way you put this poem together... I looks woderful
much love,
JADE RAYNE* -
I liked this one, it made me think and it was rather emotional too. I am a member of an organized religion, but I only follow it because I decided for myself that it was right. I think that when religion isn't solely for the sake of faith, it absolutely is theatre and that final line is an excellent way of summing up the poem. I loved the boldness without total contempt. Good write!
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This is a pretty good write! I don't believe in a religion- I do believe in a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (if you see on my profile about how I view religion, you may understand)
I shall not be associated with the title of Christians. Anymore, everyone is a Christian, because they believe in god. Almost everyone believes in god, but again, as stated above, I believe in God AND Jesus Christ.
Great write with boldness
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Very well done! The best line is "Faith is a journey" and that is so true!
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Well Penned!
Excellently Penned and well thought out--Love the statement at its conclusion-->
"Faith is a journey;
Religion is Theater."
Well Done and congratulations on the award!
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What could make me take the label of Christian?
To be forever seen as
Manipulative
Hypocritical
Judgmental
The worst of all that we have sworn not to be.
In purging our souls of the filth that plagues our lives,
We haven't and will never succeed.
Absolutely LOVED the first stanza
It was amazing and riddled with truths. The whole piece in its entirety does pretty much the same. I am glad I took the time to read this. "Faith is a journey; Religion is a Theater." BRAVO!!!
~mandie~
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Its sad how there are those who call themselves Christians and give it a bad name by being
Manipulative
Hypocritical
Judgmental
. And the denominational differences often divide rather than unite as the body of Christ
I think there's a lotta truth in this piece. Very profound. Keep it up!
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I am sorry To have left such a lengty comment that wasnt even about your poem on this, but I felt the urge.
This poem is very good. The formatting and word choices alike. I enjoy how you didnt really take it the direction I would have.
You leave it open for each person to decide if christianity is good or bad. Giving both positive and negative attributes to it.
Personally, If I were you I would take that phrase "Religion is Theater" and the stanza before it and explore it more. I think it could be turned into its own poem.
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That's ok! I did say I wanted to know what people thought poetically and theologically.
Thanks for commenting!!
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Poetically I liked the beginning set of the three words but the next three, worship, interpret, and tithe dont flow as well as the first three do. Maybe love or tithe or live or give or some one sylable set or something might work better. And for the third set of three words, if they all ended in -ing it might flow better. But those are just ideas.
Anonymousxo
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It sucks to see so many people so angry and bitter towards Christians. I was raised in the church myself but don't consider myself to be a Christian, but for some reason it still hurts to see poems and contests like this. Yes, we're all entitled to our opinions but how can people say such things about a belief system that has made good men out of drug addicts, given people hope in hospital waiting rooms, eased the pain of baby's death? And yes, people do interpret the bible any way they please. That's frustrating, to say the least, but it's human nature. People turn something that was meant to guide and draw people closer into a weapon.
There's many faces of Christianity, the one you have described here is just one of them. Not everyone's like that. Thanks for letting me take up some space and some of your time. -R.T -
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rt,
"how can people say such things about a belief system that has made good men out of drug addicts, given people hope in hospital waiting rooms, eased the pain of baby's death?"
Just because something is comforting to believe, does not make it true. Example. I would love to believe that tomorrow someone will give me a large sum of money. Its very nice to believe that, I wouldn't worry about getting to eat today, or how Im going to pay medical bills.... BUT that doesnt mean it is going to happen.
Also, yes religion does have some good in the world. If you want to look at it that way. I mean, If you look Im sure the holocaust had some positive side effect. You have to look at the bigger picture here. Which is Religion, the abrahamic in particular, are dangerous to thinking, progress, and society in general.
"theres many faces of Christianity"
yes, but put that aside for the moment and read the bible.
the old testament is probably the second most hatefull thing ever written, with the Koran/hadith at the number one spot. and then you have the new testament, which is strange sadomasochistic allegory at its best.
If you read the bible literally then you see it is completely hateful. The inquisition period christians were probably the closest to doing what the bible says.
Now, if you dont read it literally that opens up a whole other world that would be senseless to talk about on this comment. -
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I would just like to add, it is quite a stretch to call something "completely hateful." There are many verses in the OT about love and mercy and how God helped the Israelites, ect.
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