Once again, I believe I used the following poem on my blog, but I have revised it. God’s name, according to the Jewish scriptures, was Yahweh, but never written as such. Acccording to a Jewish publication to which I once subscribed, used G-d when referring to Yahweh. I have no hesitation in believing that there are those who wonder why I’ve become absorbed in my study of the Bible. Anyone who has lived with a mate who has allowed religion to become a detriment to happiness, or has grown up with parents or a parent who has done likewise, will understand my need to get my thoughts and opinions in writing.
IN THE BEGINNING
from The Iconoclast
by, Mary A. Gallagher Kaufman
In the beginning, God created . . .
Before another word is read
from any work believed inspired,
make room inside your head
for a bit of cogitation.
Don’t let your common sense be mired
in someone else’s “ology”.
Tales written many thousand years ago?
Treat them with skeptology.
It should be stated, bold and clear,
any time you choose a book
based on some theology,
it possibly could interfere
with thought and serious meditation.
Let not your thoughts be snared in fabrication.
When facts are intertwined with fable,
pursuers of the truth must be able
to substantiate and differentiate
between ancient legends and reality.
Weed verity from nonsensicality
and trust in your mentality
to bring you safely through the lures
that lie in wait for those receptive to
solidification of the brain.
I maintain it’s an insult to intelligence
to believe some great omnipotence
merely spoke and it was so.
With just His Word, things came to be?
The tale perplexes me.
Faith and credence can’t abide side by side
with wisdom and philosophy.
Legends, fairy tales and myths,
are created for diversion,
for merriment and laughter
but if its truth you’re after
and you take a biblical excursion,
please read with careful scrutiny,
with a certain sense of mutiny, because,
the Bible you believe inspired,
contains upon its pages
legends, lore, that through the ages,
have kept all those of trustful-mind
fast in the church’s fold, and blind
to what extent they are bemired
in dogma’s, harsh hierarchy.
Gods have lived and gods have died
long before I came to be.
Of things I’ve learned, I learned quite well
I absolutely need not fear
some unseen, unknown deity.
Although in heaven I’ll not dwell,
neither have I fear of hell.
We’ve but one chance and only one
to love, to laugh, dance every measure.
For me, I find the greater treasure
is being free to search, explore,
to use my wits and to ignore
tales that bound me here on earth
to thoughts of heaven and rebirth.
Or, in dread that death might see
me facing some eternity
in flaming fire, in pain and woe
and all because—’twas long ago—,
with facts and thinking in escrow,
misguided men said it was so.
But I’ve a brain, I took a look—
I explored, I searched the Book
and on my own, came this conclusion:
I’d been trapped in an illusion.
Call me crazy, call this libel:
“G-d” can’t be found within the Bible.
mary there was a series on the discovery channel last night you would have loved.. it scientifically excluded the possibility of noahs ark,, the destruction of sodom and gomorrah the shroud of turin,, and one other that i cant recall because i fell asleep…
and yet another question i believe should be asked of every bible thumper is do you believe in dinosaurs?? chronologically if the bible is the one and only truth they never existed…. so how could someone who believes the bible is the word of god believe he left that part out,, and or led about a day being as if a thousand years…..
i just love it when you write about religion… it has been my enemy my whole life,, and it is so wonderful to have someone to share with on thqt subject….
I love this. So well-considered, so eloquently put. Thank you for your profound insights, they have altered my perspective for the better.
Thank you both, Paisley and Selma. After posting “The Beginning”, I began to have doubts as to the wisdom in choosing such a subject for my blogsite. You have reinforced my original intention: to find a few friends with whom I can “converse” on a subject I’ve been studying for years, and to simulate the thinking of others. It appears I’ve been successful.
You have helped me to decide to continue with the course I first choose. Paisley, I did not see the documentary you mentioned, but perhaps I can find it on the Internet. I saw a documentary on the Discovery channel which may have been the same program, or one much like it. You have helped me to decide to post my study of the Flood. I needed the encouragement. Thanks.