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Offending the Faith

Historically and universally,
in our diverse societal transitions,
human beings have philosophized

and theorized
on how existence came to be.
Our postulations,

critical or not,
developed into sciences and religions.
Sophistry aside,

in nature’s grand design we always saw the hand of Deity.

Recently in history
a new religious sophistry has risen to the fore.
Its apostles’ creed contends that God

and concepts of him
have no value anymore.
It avers that blind and mindless Nature
is the Author of Her marvelous design.
Everything exists today,

this faith proclaims,
as the result of accidents and time.

Founders of this faith declared
all life is meaningless beyond the need to reproduce.
Adherents of their philosophical presumptions disavow

all moral statements.
Ethical decisions,

hence,
are measured only by the situations they induce
which propagate genetic lines with no regard or use

or sense

of moral judgment.

Haughtily,

the priests and acolytes of this religion
put aside the evidence
which, with due consideration,

would impugn
the rationale of prideful Rationalism.
When a scientific observation

supports the heresy of Providence,
its conclusions are not answered
but are ridiculed as superstitious skepticism.

Holding self above all else,
this faith compels the minds of hedonistic

Humanists.
It does not acknowledge any sovereign Deity
or contemplate morality.
This belief in purposeless existence
isn’t based on intellectual honesty:
To consider God’s existence is anathema
to smugly biased

Atheists.

But may God’s existence be

dismissed
if that explains the nature of reality?
The intelligent design
of nature’s obvious cooperative complexity
may not be ignored
because some Providential implications are inherent there.
Shall true intellectual judgment be

denied
to soothe the Rationalistic doctrinaire?

Both faith and reason shall sustain our drive

to comprehend our own and nature’s essence.
Our rational

and spiritual

search for purpose

with an explanation for existence
is our primal legacy affirmed

despite the obstinance of human history.
Ages-old pursuit of truth shall not be long impeded

by a foolish sophistry.

Author notes

The refusal to consider arguments and evidence from a particular point of view and to accuse those who hold or present them to be heretics is militant sectarian extremism.  Such an attitude is not worthy of anyone of faith or reason who desires to discover truth. Science, like justice, should be blind to all but the evidence in the pursuit of truth. No evidence should be excluded just because it might lead to judgments which reject hypotheses, theories or a priori assumptions regarding the issues under consideration. Suppositions or theories which are supported by disinterested or, at least, ingenuous presentations and review of empirical evidence must be considered by reasonable, honest persons with as little prejudice as is humanly possible. Whether theistic or atheistic, a person’s world view should not limit the pursuit of an ever more unobstructed view of the world.

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Comments

1 - 8 of 8

  • isaacokumu gold member
    June 28

    Edit | Reply
    wow, this is well written, thankks for entering the contes, good luck, my fav part was
    "Historically and universally,
    in our diverse societal transitions,
    human beings have philosophized

    and theorized
    on how existence came to be.
    Our postulations,
    critical or not,
    developed into sciences and religions.
    Sophistry aside,
    in nature’s grand design we always saw the hand of Deity.
    Holding self above all else,
    this faith compels the minds of hedonistic
    Humanists.
    It does not acknowledge any sovereign Deity
    or contemplate morality.
    This belief in purposeless existence
    isn’t based on intellectual honesty:
    To consider God’s existence is anathema
    to smugly biased

    Atheists."



  • Siderea
    May 31

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent!

    Faith might be offended, but God is not. The peripatetic observer sees past the mockers' grin, into the heart. Only the Maker can turn these stones to hearts of flesh. A wise poet.
    I finally tracked down your "Pathfinder" http://tinyurl.com/mhfaaa . Wonderful to go through all my favorites at leisure. God bless!
    cw


  • Tweedle Dee
    January 15

    Edit | Reply

    Amen

    You stated what I've been trying to say and failed horribly all along. Perhaps it is just me, but many people need to read this and perhaps readjust some of their perceptions. Great job on the poem,

    Recently in history
    a new religious sophistry has risen to the fore.
    Its apostles’ creed contends that God

    and concepts of him
    have no value anymore.

    - That was certainly one of my favorite parts.
    May God bless, and peace bring it.

    -AD

    • Peripatetic gold member
      January 15
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you very much for your comments and for the recognition in your contest.
      The apostle Peter encouraged believers to be ready with a reason for the faith within them. So should unbelievers be ready with a reason for their unbelief. It is not enough to just believe something. There must be a reason to believe whenever one's beliefs are challenged by circumstances, arguments, or continuing acccumulation of evidence.


  • Jonbug gold member
    December 18, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    GREAT

    I takes courage to write the ideas herein. It takes skill to write them so very well. Almost to the perfection of God Himself. I deeply hope this poem is not confined to this site! Is it in print somewhere? And, Thank you.

    • Peripatetic gold member
      January 15
      Edit | Reply
      I thought I had responded to this comment, but I do not see a reply.
      Thank you for your supportive comments.
      It takes little courage to speak like this in this venue, but hundreds of teachers and science professionals put their careers at risk every time they say in a professional forum what I have said here. Those individuals call upon real courage to do so.
      Another version of this poem is in print in a collection of my poetry, but this is the first time it has been presented in this free verse format.


  • greeny
    December 13, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    everytime i read your poems, i'm learning.pls keep on sharing sir.. great piece...

    GodBless!!

1 - 8 of 8