When God Died

Bold Nietzsche declared, “God is dead,”
Humans have killed him, so he said.
Enlightened men, all widely read,
have purged his being from their head.

God decomposed and left a stench,
That human genius cannot quench.
The promise of enlightenment
Instead of light has brought man blight.

God’s substitute, goddess reason
The symbol of man’s high treason
Has not engendered human good,
As humanists believed she would.

History and experience teach,
That man cannot perfection reach
By mere intellectual means
For evil exists in his genes.

The two world wars that men have fought,
defy claims of rational thought.
The truth is clear, mankind is flawed,
And badly needs the help of God.

The moral mess mankind is in,
Is evidence of human sin.
The death of God has brought a curse,
And made the plight of humans worse.

That God did die, is indeed true,
But from a different point of view.
God in man’s flesh came down to earth,
To live and die for man’s rebirth.

God is not dead, He is alive,
From Him humans their lives derive.
If you enlightenment desire,
Embrace God and make Him your sire.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Smith Avatar
September 26, 2023 at 12:45 AM
When good Reason --from true Faith-- does spout/ then people understand what Divine Mercy's all about. :D
Richmond Avatar
September 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM
I love the lines you quoted. Are they from a poem you wrote? Thanks for your comment.
Smith Avatar
September 25, 2023 at 11:55 PM
Amen! God's not dead! :D
Richmond Avatar
September 26, 2023 at 2:10 PM
Amen indeed. Those who wish He were dead don't know what they are wishing for.
Rodrigues Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 8:45 PM
Especially verse 4! Man can not reach perfection…has evil in his genes. Congratulations on POTD!
Richmond Avatar
August 31, 2023 at 4:36 AM
Thanks Kim for your comment. I like the way stanza 4 came out also.
Kauffman Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 8:59 PM
Deep faith expressed in simple eloquence, David. Congratulations on your POTD. Blessings to you. Thank you for sharing - a courageous poem indeed!
Richmond Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 10:13 AM
Thanks for your comments, Sam. The philosophies of Nietzsche and his modern counterparts have failed to produce positive benefits for humanity. My poem is my way of highlighting this fact and cause honest-hearted seekers to consider the evidence and make rational choices.
Downing  Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 8:29 PM
David, congratulations on POTD with this beautiful and inspiring piece.
Richmond Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 10:15 AM
Thanks Akkina. I'm glad to hear that my poem inspired you. My purpose in writing is to bring glory to the name of God.
Anaya Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 3:07 PM
I've had my share of thoughts about God and that he must be male, Jesus His son, now Michael the Archangel. All religions fall short of one most important thing that is..Love..God is love, then why is there so much hate? I believe this is because man must reach "enlightment" and self-awareness before they can love, -->and there's where you and I disagree. I believe in enlightment. Such Beautiful Poetry David Richmond. Congratulations on your POTD! I Am Anaya
Richmond Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 10:31 AM
Thanks Anaya for your comment. I fully agree with your assertion that God is love. The reason for the hate in the world is that man has turned away from God, who is the source of love. I believe in enlightenment too, but believe that God is the source of true enlightenment. If enlightenment could be achieved apart from Him, the human race would be much more morally advanced than it is now. The Enlightenment thinkers believed that if humans could get rid of God, they would be able to progressively improve on their own and become some kind of Superman. it should be obvious to all of us that the myth has not materialized. My contention is that man needs God and not the reverse.
Buehler Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 1:51 PM
Your heartfelt, beautiful poem has been a joy to read, David. Hearty congratulations on your POTD. :)
Richmond Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 10:34 AM
Thanks Evelyn for the encouraging comment.
Baker Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 9:19 AM
Straight to my FAVs list, David. Excellent message in this well written poem. Congratulations on your POTD! Enjoy your special day of recognition. Bill
Richmond Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 10:49 AM
Thank you Bill for your kind comment.
Goldsmith Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 7:45 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. A wonderful/powerful write. God Is Alive. Have a blessed day/week writing away....................
Richmond Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 10:52 AM
Thanks Paula. This poem was inspired by something I read as part of my daily devotional. I an glad you found it to be impactful.
Ray Choudhury Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 5:36 AM
Congratulations on your POTD. Your poem is profound, and full of inspiration.
Richmond Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 10:52 AM
Thank you Malabika.
Elless Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 4:47 AM
David, You are right. There is only one GOD. He is the true light. The Divine. Fine poem, well thought out and the rhymes are delightful. Praise be to GOD. Congratulations on Your POTD. Stay Creative.
Richmond Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 10:56 AM
Thanks RJ for the encouragement to stay creative. As you know, this is a challenge that we struggle with as poets.
Kavanagh  Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 4:22 AM
As human beings David we are right to question everything we see, even those we don’t, I’m agnostic myself and search out answers to the big questions, and I certainly don’t exclude god, but there are so many of them around these days, even different interpretations of the same god, you present a nice argument here, check out my poem (https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/man_who_would_be_god_1481915) and you’ll see the unconvincing conclusion I’ve reached myself, Congratulations on a very well written and presented POTD
Richmond Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 2:12 PM
Thanks David for your comment. We can only arrive at the truth if we ask the right questions and eliminate the answers that do not provide cohesive answers that are consistent with reality, to the questions of origin, purpose, meaning, and destiny. I trust that your quest leads to the truth.
Kitchin Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 4:03 AM
David, congratulations on POTD, a great faith poem!
Richmond Avatar
August 31, 2023 at 4:42 AM
Thanks Tania. It is my hope that those who believe in God will be affirmed in their faith after reading my poem and that those who are skeptical will be led to investigate the existence of God.
Mcintosh Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 3:54 AM
Yes. GOD is alive! He is surely ALIVE! God bless you and congrats on POTD. Love and prayers, Gina
Richmond Avatar
September 4, 2023 at 5:43 PM
Thanks Regina for the affirmation.
Buhagiar Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 3:07 AM
Well argued. Congrats on your POTD.
Richmond Avatar
September 4, 2023 at 5:51 PM
Thank you Victor.
Andresen Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 2:47 AM
- Congratulations on your p.o.t.d., David :) -
Richmond Avatar
August 31, 2023 at 4:39 AM
Thanks Anne-Lise.
Seeker Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 2:31 AM
Back again with warmest congratulations on POTD, David
Richmond Avatar
August 31, 2023 at 4:38 AM
Thank you for your words of congratulations.
Seeker Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 9:22 PM
Wise words, David, highlighting the human condition. In my view, to transcend limitations of mind, we evidently need to leave thoughts and concepts behind, abiding in awareness, self-aware, that in time, with universal mind we pair. We’re so accustomed to striving, we cannot let go and just begin to flow.
Merryman Avatar
August 25, 2023 at 6:10 PM
Wow! A powerful message filled with truth, David! I'm putting this in my fav's! Blessings, Kim M
Richmond Avatar
August 31, 2023 at 4:38 AM
Thanks Kim. I'm glad that the message of my poem resonated with you.
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