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I, the Skeptic

Mind if I tell you, honestly, I’m not
The spokesman for a Holy God I used to be
As time has failed to convince me, the skeptic,
Of righteousness and the efficacy of prayer.
The change has come slowly, over time …
As many a deep concern has gone unexplained
And, as I studied humanity’s gross inhumanity
While the “God of love” stood by permissively
While Jewish babies were slain over open pits
Sweet, older women were hanged as witches
Entire tribes of people slain, victims of genocide,
Wicked men who risen to positions of great power
Entice ordinary folks to forfeit good sense …
And I … I am powerless to make a difference
While the Almighty, like the Deist God, sleeps
Soundly, and his fine creation flounders fatally. 

written October 31, 2021

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Linda Darnall

Date: 11/6/2021 11:02:00 AM

I seriously understand abuse- believe me, I was raised by 2 pretty abusive people, yet they had (as people like to say) their 'good' sides-- I think we need to put less responsibility on Gd for the f---ed up world we live in. I believe man's "inhumanity" to man and nature is the real problem. There are an astonishing number of untold miracles taking place every moment- the survival of mankind and nature, at this precarious moment in time, for one.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/6/2021 11:27:00 AM

Linda, I do appreciate your response to my poem, I, the Skeptic. Thank you.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 11/1/2021 5:57:00 PM

I can only speak for Jews. By and large, we have survived tragedy by rebuilding our communities and institutions, with faith in G-d and in our ultimate destiny. No matter the setback, we have clung fiercely to the Torah, which we view as instructions from the Creator Himself as to how conduct our lives down here, however long or short a visit to Planet Earth we are granted. 'Nuff said. :) gw

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/1/2021 6:32:00 PM

Thanks, gw. Your response means a lot to me...more than you know, actually. Thanks so much!

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 11/1/2021 10:37:00 AM

I can sure name one of these now "Wicked men who risen to positions of great power Entice ordinary folks to forfeit good sense"

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/1/2021 11:18:00 AM

I know, but I'm deliberately generalizing here.

John Lawless

Date: 11/1/2021 5:26:00 AM

A liberal, hypocritical, skeptic---like so many of us Milton, "too soon old, too late wise". Truly enjoyed reading this trio of thoughts and feelings and frustrations. Very well thought out and written.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/1/2021 6:56:00 AM

Thank you, John, for your thoughtful comment on the first of several poems exploring my mind and hoping helping others to consider these thought-provoking issues. I really appreciated your response.