Joe Flach Poet Rhyme

Religious Confusion

I’m not sure I believe in religion
Not as explained in the Bibles I’ve read
I don’t think heaven or hell
Is a place we go when we’re dead

I don’t like thinking of life as a test
Being judged be some omnipotent God
Although I believe in the difference between right and wrong
And you might find that rather odd

For survival of our species
It’s important that morality rules
And to explain the unexplainable
Gods were created to appease the fools
	
To make mankind survive and behave
He needed to follow a righteous path
So heavenly reward for doing the right thing
Was invented in a story that would last

I am impressed by man’s ingenuity
And acknowledge that religions help individuals cope
I would not try to influence you not to believe
If that is what gives you hope

But much evil has also come from these beliefs
Discrimination, hatred and repression
Doesn’t matter which religion you practice
History has taught us this sad lesson

I feel that I am merely mortal
And lack the capacity to understand
Whatever the reality of God is
It can’t be known by a mortal man

This is the struggle with which I wrestle
Lacking the faith to believe what I was taught
But if we stuck to the basic dogma of most religions
I think the similarities would all be caught

Do good and love thy neighbor
Treat others like you want to be treated yourself
Then who cares which God you believe in
Or what bible sits on your shelf

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Linda-Marie Sweetheart April 21, 2011 at 7:50 PM Great write Joe and tremendous last four lines..it says it all .. nice breakdown of verses to explain your thoughts luv.. wishing u and yours a most blessed and Happy Easter celebration luv..

Anthony Nutter April 21, 2011 at 11:05 AM Excellent write and you express your views so concisely and respectfully. To me religion is a personal thing and each person must decide what they want to believe in. This is a miracle in and of itself being born creatures with a free will and imagination. The path you or I choose to walk is left entirely up to us.

Carolyn Devonshire April 21, 2011 at 10:49 AM God told the clerk he didn't care much for religion. People laughed when Burns said this in the movie, but I agree that no religion is better than another. Heaven is a state of mind, a spiritual state where reward is offered for being kind and compassionate. Sorry I babbled on so much... Thought-provoking to say the least. Awesome poem, Joe! Love, Carolyn

Carolyn Devonshire April 21, 2011 at 10:46 AM Some folks view God as a judgmental old man with a white beard. To me, God is the Universal Consciousness, a force that guides us to lead better lives. Never did believe in hell -- think we make our own hell from the actions we take while alive. I do believe there is a restful repose offered to those who lived well. Some call this heaven. Your message here is one to which I can relate, Joe. Remember the movie "Oh God." George Burns portrayed God and told supermarket clerk (continued)