https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
Now, regular readers of my blogs will know that I subscribe to no religion although I have every respect for anyone who does not see religion as an exclusive club. Fortunately, I have met many religious people who do not simply pay lip service to open heartedness and free spiritedness but take people as they find them whatever their race, religion or socio-economic standing in a world where, increasingly, it is not only wealth and power that can corrupt the free spirit and generous heart, but religious dogma too.
In my 70’s now, I take heart from our young people around the world who take good people as they find them, not as either any stereotyping or dogma paints them.
As for going along with and respecting our so-called, betters in this world, actions will always speak louder than words and respect is no one’s by any given right (divine or otherwise) but something earned by those setting a good example none of us would hesitate to follow …
Our differences do not make us different, only human; we need to respect each other’s differences, not see them as an excuse for alienation.
A (straight) Muslim friend was once asked why he had anything to do with a gay man given that his religion is intrinsically hostile to homosexuality. My friend replied that he felt secure enough in his own identity to let anyone have a say from all walks of life. "Religion is more than a point of view," he pointed out, "it is a way of life. "Other points of view are always interesting, and no threat to anyone who feels secure in their own faith." The same (surely?) can be said for sexuality.
This poem is a villanelle.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO RELIGION? or GAY IN BRUNEI
Faith is not all about selectivity
(no stoning to death for sexuality);
no God would condemn diversity
No God would condemn diversity
of race, thought nor sexual identity;
Faith is not all about selectivity
Brunei, a bloody stain on humanity
for its denying sexuality its integrity;
no God would condemn diversity
Religion is about love, not bigotry,
or so it teaches the world community;
Faith is not all about selectivity
Where love lends us its spirituality,
may culture-creed show us humanity;
no God would condemn diversity
Where religion embraces hypocrisy
dogma stands accused of inhumanity;
Faith is not all about selectivity;
no God would condemn diversity
Copyright R. N. Taber 2019
Now, regular readers of my blogs will know that I subscribe to no religion although I have every respect for anyone who does not see religion as an exclusive club. Fortunately, I have met many religious people who do not simply pay lip service to open heartedness and free spiritedness but take people as they find them whatever their race, religion or socio-economic standing in a world where, increasingly, it is not only wealth and power that can corrupt the free spirit and generous heart, but religious dogma too.
In my 70’s now, I take heart from our young people around the world who take good people as they find them, not as either any stereotyping or dogma paints them.
As for going along with and respecting our so-called, betters in this world, actions will always speak louder than words and respect is no one’s by any given right (divine or otherwise) but something earned by those setting a good example none of us would hesitate to follow …
Our differences do not make us different, only human; we need to respect each other’s differences, not see them as an excuse for alienation.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Brunei face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Homosexuality is illegal in Brunei. Sexual relations between men can be punished with death by stoning while those between women are punished by caning or imprisonment.
This poem is a villanelle.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO RELIGION? or GAY IN BRUNEI
Faith is not all about selectivity
(no stoning to death for sexuality);
no God would condemn diversity
No God would condemn diversity
of race, thought nor sexual identity;
Faith is not all about selectivity
Brunei, a bloody stain on humanity
for its denying sexuality its integrity;
no God would condemn diversity
Religion is about love, not bigotry,
or so it teaches the world community;
Faith is not all about selectivity
Where love lends us its spirituality,
may culture-creed show us humanity;
no God would condemn diversity
Where religion embraces hypocrisy
dogma stands accused of inhumanity;
Faith is not all about selectivity;
no God would condemn diversity
Copyright R. N. Taber 2019
