https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
As regular readers know, I have a strong sense of spirituality. I take it from nature. All the world religions - with the exception of Buddhism, which I see more as a philosophy than a religion - are far too divisive and hypocritical for my liking. Even so, I can respect other people’s points of view, including their perspective on religion. So why can’t more of those people respect mine?
By the way, my rejection of religion has nothing to do with my being gay. I made up my mind about religion as a boy, long before my teenage years and learning to accept that I am gay. Just as well, eh? Few if any religions would have welcomed me with open arms unless I was prepared to tow their particular line. Nature, on the other hand, makes no such demands and embraces us unconditionally…much as one would expect of God, yeah? [Thankfully, many religious-minded people do just that, putting compassion, understanding and respect for other people’s views and ways of life before the dogma, ritual and politics of religion. It has been my experience that various leaders - at various levels in various religious hierarchies – could learn a lot from them.]
This poem is a villanelle.
THE G-WORD, WHERE OPPOSING IDEOLOGIES CONVERGE
Whatever ‘God’ means to you or me,
within or without religion’s walls,
no time or space there for bigotry
Whatever it may be we call eternity,
it can but answer freedom’s calls
whatever ‘God’ means to you or me
Be sure our stand for sexual identity
find allies in any heaven’s halls;
no time or space there for bigotry
In this world, look where humanity
stumbles and falls…
whatever ‘God‘ means to you or me
It’s love lets the human spirit go free
where religion’s engine stalls;
no time or space there for bigotry
Afraid of death we should never be,
against love’s light, it but palls;
whatever ‘God’ means to you or me,
no time or space there for bigotry
[From: On the Battlefields of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010)
As regular readers know, I have a strong sense of spirituality. I take it from nature. All the world religions - with the exception of Buddhism, which I see more as a philosophy than a religion - are far too divisive and hypocritical for my liking. Even so, I can respect other people’s points of view, including their perspective on religion. So why can’t more of those people respect mine?
By the way, my rejection of religion has nothing to do with my being gay. I made up my mind about religion as a boy, long before my teenage years and learning to accept that I am gay. Just as well, eh? Few if any religions would have welcomed me with open arms unless I was prepared to tow their particular line. Nature, on the other hand, makes no such demands and embraces us unconditionally…much as one would expect of God, yeah? [Thankfully, many religious-minded people do just that, putting compassion, understanding and respect for other people’s views and ways of life before the dogma, ritual and politics of religion. It has been my experience that various leaders - at various levels in various religious hierarchies – could learn a lot from them.]
This poem is a villanelle.
THE G-WORD, WHERE OPPOSING IDEOLOGIES CONVERGE
Whatever ‘God’ means to you or me,
within or without religion’s walls,
no time or space there for bigotry
Whatever it may be we call eternity,
it can but answer freedom’s calls
whatever ‘God’ means to you or me
Be sure our stand for sexual identity
find allies in any heaven’s halls;
no time or space there for bigotry
In this world, look where humanity
stumbles and falls…
whatever ‘God‘ means to you or me
It’s love lets the human spirit go free
where religion’s engine stalls;
no time or space there for bigotry
Afraid of death we should never be,
against love’s light, it but palls;
whatever ‘God’ means to you or me,
no time or space there for bigotry
[From: On the Battlefields of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010)
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