OUR GOD REIGNS!!!

God is invented by people who can't handle reality. This sort of proselytizing usually makes for poor poetry, as the content over-rides the form. I believe we should take responsibilty, accountability for the ills of the world and its beauty. Cheers, Jess, “The political arena leaves one no alternative, one must either be a dunce or a rogue.” Emma Goldman

And it was *shame* that cast Adam and Eve from the Garden. The knowledge of, as it were. Humans have created *God* from the beginning of sentience to explain the mystery that is life. Every image of God is man-made. God, however, imo, is that mystery--art and beauty that is life, inexplicable and beyond anything that can be known. Poetry is as close as words made flesh. Only love speaks. ~A "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." ~ A Course In Miracles

An ode poem so here I am in Satans time wandering seeking looking and finding my understanding of a greater not the grey whom anyone can stand like quicksand in my time of most knotholed excursion it was the "good" people whom assisted I yet am faulted but do appreciate that after so much duration a book of words of poetry and great beauty still exists and accepts even me! A very interesting Poem here! Esker~

Religion, spirituality, neither are compatible with professensional killers Cheers, Jess, “The political arena leaves one no alternative, one must either be a dunce or a rogue.” Emma Goldman

If you really believe in your bible, then you would follow and honor the commandment: "Thou shalt NOT kill" It doesn't say thou shalt not kill unless your government tells you to, but plain and simple: "THOU SHALT NOT KILL." IMHO, those who follow religion and do kill are hypocrites. Cat

As long as a submission does not directly reference a member of this site and attack them, everyone must respect the right of the author to post work even if they find that work to be without value. If people wish to have a philosophical argument, a open forum would be the best place, not the commentary on a submitted work. No one has to like anyone but I will hear no complaints of author reactions to comments about the author rather than their submissions. That's my polite way of saying: "If you disparage the author while commenting on their work and are told to go to hell, tough on you. No complaint will be heard or action taken against them. If this bothers you, tough shit." It does not matter who I like or with whom I agree, I will not spend another AEC term pandering to artificial dust-ups. --Jonathan Annoying the world, one person at a time (Group discounts available)

Means that I can offer nothing. Not because of the subject matter, not because of my personal opinion, not because I am trying to be difficult, but because I am only here for the poetry workshop and if I cannot offer an honest critique to include mechanics and bald truth then I am left with "I loved it, it touched me" vommitary and I do not play that game. Right now you are having a religious discussion and both sides feel justified in their anger and piety. Wonderful, that should help you improve as a poet exactly zilch. If you are brave enough to expose your religious views you should be at least as brave when it comes to critique on your work. Or not, your choice. --Jonathan Annoying the world, one person at a time (Group discounts available)

There are many religions, more believers than Christians, and many atheists, so who is right? No one can have absolute certainty. Cheers, Jess, “The political arena leaves one no alternative, one must either be a dunce or a rogue.” Emma Goldman

Commentary on a poem should be geared toward the work presented, not primarily the message, never the poet. I've created a forum entry you can use to express your views about religion: http://www.neopoet.com/forum/37313-gloves-religious-discussion --Jonathan Annoying the world, one person at a time (Group discounts available)

The world is full of varying beliefs, and it is intolerance of another's beliefs that has led to rivers of blood both christian and non christian.This is a poetry site, and no one is forced to accept the beliefs or value systems of any one else. Unless we plan on eliminating all spiritual references we must respect Chumfin's right to post his poetry without personal insults. I will likewise defend anyone who chooses to express themselves spiritually. We must all work within this framework or Neo is meaningless. I am appalled at the intolerance against Christians on the site. The very intolerance Christians are accused of. Anna is a nondualist, and I hold Christian values though not in the traditional sense, yet we love each other and respect our differences. If you don't like a poem or it's content move on. This is a fundamental issue that must be made clear. B

I have seen exactly two voices of reason on this and that is Jonathan and Nina. Everyone else could take a lesson from them. Respectfully, Rett: “Anyone who sacrifices liberty for security deserves neither.” Benjamin Franklin

My apologies. I neglected to log Barry out before I posted. It's a bit of an issue... he should log himself out on MY FUCKING COMPUTER. lol. Nevertheless, I stand with why I said above. ~A "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." ~ A Course In Miracles

You know folks, writing with sarcasm is a wonderful application that leads to humility. The comic pages are full of them. So are a generations of comics we pay to listen. When one considers themselves and their beLIEfs so profound that humour is not a necessary ingredient in one's viewpoint, whatever that is.... it's time to hang up one's writing credentials, (as if we ever had them). The end result is that war is inside each and every one of us. How that comes out.. we have witnessed in these pages at Neo and the long history of mankind. I for one, find it humourous that no one can see ourselves as others see us. And so it is. ~A "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." ~ A Course In Miracles

I for one would like to tell you how much I enjoyed your poem. We all have the right to believe as we wish. I stand with your belief in God. I would hope there could be civility in how we all deal with each other. But, sadly many can not. I am proud both of my sons are in the military. I do not believe in the right to kill for the sake of it. I do however believe in standing up for injustice and stop tyranny. I decided not to read much of the responses posted because the attack on your belief is painful to read. Would that all men could find peace in their hearts. We all need something to believe in, or we are lost. To many times I have found comfort in Gods ways and words to throw it aside and say it means nothing and has come from nothing. Bravo Sir! God Bless and please keep writing your beautiful words. Always, Tonya

Here is another thing to remember this is what Chum put up on His poem that no one cared to listen to Please use care (this is a sensitive subject for me, do not critique harshly) What did you think of my title? How was my language use? What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing? How does this theme appeal to you? How was the beginning/ending of the poem? Is the internal logic consistent? Please do not critique mechanics. The inconsistencies in style are intentional, or correcting them is not important to me. " he reigns over all" Out of respect for his wishes it seems no one wanted to read that part, I myself loved this poem and his write here and had no idea it would incite such controversy but then again everytime this time of year rolls around this happens not just on a website. Chum you write whatever you want and by you adding this to the bottom of your poem I see that no one cared to read it and respect you for Please do not critique mechanics and number one Please use care (this is a sensitive subject for me, do not critique harshly) Continue to write and thank you for your poem. Love, Mona Happy Easter to you and the family Learn to live, learn to forgive. Life is too short.

I forgot hey Chum you may make spotlight and tracker by so much responses. Have a good nite to all Mona Learn to live, learn to forgive. Life is too short.

And although I can offer no useful critique due to the author's critique classification, I can express my opinion. I did not care for this work and have rated it according to my opinion. I'm removing this thread from my subscription updates so will thankfully no longer be part of the circus. --Jonathan Annoying the world, one person at a time (Group discounts available)

And will not do so because of the checked preferences. All I will comment on is that the poem itself should have been the topic. Each of us has the right to post what we want poetry wise whether the person believes or not. The comments should refer strictly to the poem and the structure, readability, language andanything that could be done to improve it. The rest of the bickering reminds me of two children threatening to take their toys home if the other one doesn't play according to their rules. Poetry encompasses many different feelings, ideas, subjects and beliefs. That is the beauty of it. One is not better than the other or worse, just different. I prefer rhyming poetry, but that does not mean I can't enjoy freeverse when well written or that someone who prefers freeverse cannot enjoy a well written rhyme. Like Jonathan, I am taking this off my updates because, frankly, the bickering is childish and has nothing to do with the merits of the poem. Those of you fighting back and forth, enjoy your temper tantrums, I will just get back to writing while you show your intolerance of others. Respectfully, Rett: “Anyone who sacrifices liberty for security deserves neither.” Benjamin Franklin

Chumfin I love you, and everyone else, but this is no place to fall foul of battles that can't be won. I think it should end now! Neopoet is a great site and this is spoiling it, just like other poems before, including one or two of my own that caused problems. If a person doesn't like a poem, ignore it and comment on the ones that you do like. Rosina xena465

If you look at the last comment to this poem it was on April 2nd honey. This is a moot issue now as it seems like everyone gets into a heated discussion over religion or beliefs or not here. Some take it to extremes and never learn to drop it and move on. We can not stop people from writing anything ever. We have no control over anyone for that matter. Everyone is different as we are all writers and readers of versatile poetry anywhere on the web. Everyone had their say and not only Chums poem but other poems or blogs have stirred things up. Rett said it correctly here it's been going on for ever and probably forever it will be. I admire him for that and he is correct in what he said. (one beer for you Texan):) We are all working towards peace in the world, we write of it, we talk of it, we pray of it, then we come in here and argue about the same subjects or subject that causes most wars. It is no longer time for any of it to go further then your own front door or computer. Respect for others is what is needed and wished for and we can only work towards that if we can. I know I try to. I am not a perfect person either by no means. Good or bad, indifferent or similiar we all need to show more respect to one another as we work towards our goals. Let it begin in this site and many more like it. Neopoet.com is for everyone and not only for some. It says Bringing Poets Together (and not apart.) Don't mean to come off as preaching gospel here but know that we are all in this together. Feelings or no feelings..We come to share as in family the Neo family. Not all will agree to everything but it is in learning and sharing thoughts and opinions, crits and sayings, and also to move on. Phewww I had a long week.. sorry for the rambling on :) all in love honey.. All we can do is pay attention to our writing, our critiques, others writings and learn as we go and grow more each day. I found myself also a part of riff in here but know that I no longer have the time or energy for it and I also learned when it is time to let go you really got to let it go. I am guilty of the same things as others in life. Not to take everything said so personal you know what I mean. That is what I have learned so far here. I am only commenting here to explain to you, maybe this all happend when you were away. I don't know. Be happy and have a wonderful weekend and write your heart and soul out and know your a special angel here Xena the Warrior Women. Let there be Peace. Much hugs and love to you xxoxoxo Magics Mona TIME well spent is TIME well lived

antagonist comments. You are the kind of religious man that gives religion a good name. Cheers, Jess, Reprehensibly irrepressible, "the alleged short-cut to knowledge, which is faith, is only a short-circuit destroying the mind." [Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged]