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Candlewitch

May 10, 2010 ⭐ See this poem's read count — a supporter feature

Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are?

Please don't tell me YOUR bible
is the only one; it is merely arrogant.
When you quote "the bible,"
tell me which bible you mean this time.

Don't you think it is quite possible
that I am tired of being preached at?
Usually, I find you laughable
when you thunder away about YOUR rights.

But it can be tiresome and get on my nerves.
Mostly, I think you are scared and insecure
when you bellow and shout your case,
and by the way, I think you protest too much.

I think, if you really believed,
you would carry it, softly, in your heart,
as a gentle gift given to you,
instead of rubbing my nose in it.

So don't shout at me about your faith,
trying to make me believe as you do,
for I have my own beliefs that guide me,
which don't include me preaching at you.

— Candlewitch, May 10, 2010

About the Author

Region, Country: Northwestern Wisconsin USA, USA

Favorite Poets: Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Carlos Castaneda, Jim Morrison, the whole of Neopoet and many more., Candlewitch

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Critiques

16 years 2 months ago

Aiiii!I share with you your

Aiiii! I share with you your distaste. Sadly all this preaching from the masses of the oppressed (and think not that that type of religious indoctrination is not a form of oppression--usually the oppressed masses are the most religious, historically). I lose my equanimity in any kind of abuse. And this is one of the most insidious. It's overt cultism that has become *acceptable*. ~A Boy you sure must have been/are/were pissed when you wrote this, there's some typos that never appear in your poetry otherwise. "If you think you're free, there's no escape possible." ~ Ram Dass

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Anna

You are so right. I was extremely pissed off when I wrote this. I had just read Lenny of Cohen's poem, "Sick of Religion, Me too!" and Annie's,(Dark&Lovely) response to it. Mostly Passive aggressive dogma, and this is my response to those types of comments. I probably should have waited to post it, at least until I had all the bugs worked out. Thank you for your intelligent response. Love, Cat

xena465

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Cat

I noticed that too. It's not your usual self to write like this. You sound very frustrated and angry. I had a lovely boyfriend, Libyan, in the early 1980's and he was Muslim, which I didn't mind, but he used to preach to me and even gave me an English version of the Koran to read...I haven't even read the Bible! It's our choice in what we believe in and no amount of bulling can change your beliefs. I hope you're okay Cat...luv 2 u xxx Rosina xena465

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Rosina

I can see why you didn't marry him. I had the Seventh Day Adventist religion shoved down my throat until I was about ten. When I was 6 and 7 I was abused by a religious fanatic. I think I have come out of it fairly well. I have friends of different faiths today and we all respect each others beliefs. I'm ok now, but I was very angry yesterday. Thanks for asking. Always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

Fristly, I love the message

But you know how I am and my comment can never be just that I love the message. so I've made some minor suggestions below. Typo corrections are (parenthesized) and suggestions are [bracketed] and even if you intended this to be a one-off/throwaway, I would still love to see you clean it up because it's always good practice. Most of the language I suggest is to increase the feeling of disdain at the rude behaviour being presented to you. A word or two is intended to even out the flow of a line, but, as always, my notes are just suggestions, feel free to disregard them at your leisure. ----------------------------------------- [Please,] don’t tell me YOUR bible is the only one; it is [merely] arrogant. When you quote “the bible,” tell me which bible you [mean this time]. Don’t you think it is quite possible that I am tired of being preached at? Usually, I find you laughable when you thunder away about YOUR religion[, YOUR rights]. But it can be (tiresome) and get on my nerves. Mostly, I think you are scared and insecure when you bellow and shout your case, [And by the way,] I think you protest (too) much. I think, if you really believed[,] you would carry it, softly, in your heart, as a gentle gift given to you, instead of rubbing my nose in it. So don’t shout at me about your faith, trying to make me believe as you do, for I have my own beliefs that guide me, which don’t include me preaching at you[.] --------------------------------------------------------- --Jonathan Annoying the world, one person at a time (Group discounts available)

B

16 years 2 months ago

I like ...

Jonathan's recast here. Good job. And I see he caught the to/too. I'm sure a typo, but a fix's in order just the same. I think. A strong piece, one that could be much, much longer without losing its punch. Or Kool-Aid somewhere south of North America, or whatever. Thanx much, Chuck

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Chuck

I, too, like Jonathan's rewrite. It makes it a much better piece. If I hadn't been in such a big fat hurry to post it, I might have at least caught the typo's, LOL. Always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Jonathan

Thank you for helping me out with the changes. I agree with them or I wouldn't have made them. The typo's were made strictly because I was so angry I couldn't see straight yesterday. I value your opinions and will always listen when someone is trying to help me. I'm glad you loved my message :) Always, Cat

Hooded Stranger

Hooded Stranger

16 years 2 months ago

who pissed you off?

Cat, I can tell someone pissed you off and people trying to sell their religion to you is so damn annoying and frustrating. I think you hit all the right notes with this one. In short, let us believe what we want and don't damn well waste my time by trying to preach to me. I like this angry rant, not your usual style but effective. I like it. You must PM me and tell me who pissed you off! I did like this stanza: So don’t shout at me about your faith, trying to make me believe as you do, for I have my own beliefs that guide me, which don’t include me preaching at you. which could easily be a chorus if you chose to make this a song. Hope you are well my friend, HS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "With all that I am and all that I could be, I walk this earth and yet nobody sees me".

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Dan

I will pm you on this write. If you want the piece you can have it, and if you make it into a song, just give me honorable mention. It is yours, I give up all rights to it to you. Always, Cat

Hooded Stranger

Hooded Stranger

16 years 2 months ago

Cat

Cat, I will certainly try to create a song worthy of the original poem for you. I will wait for the PM before I take it on. You not need give anything up, if I write a song and you like it, it will be yours. If we record it, you will be named as the lyric writer, I am only going to play with your words so it will always be yours. Thanks for having faith in me to give it a go. Hope you are well. have you finished Belgaraid yet? regards, Dan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "With all that I am and all that I could be, I walk this earth and yet nobody sees me".

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Dan

I posted you a pm about an hour ago. Sometimes it happens that a pm will not arrive. I will go now and write it again. Always, Cat

Hooded Stranger

Hooded Stranger

16 years 2 months ago

The song!

cat, find below a song version of your wonderful poem: ----------------------------------------------- Who The Hell Do You Think You Are? Please don’t tell me your bible is the only one You're too full of arrogance When you quote to me your beloved bible Tell me which version you mean this time Don’t you think that it's quite possible That I'm tired of your preaching Usually, I find you laughable and quite sad When you thunder away about your rights (chorus) So don’t shout at me about your faith Trying to make me believe as you do I have my own beliefs that guide me You won't find me preaching at you (chorus) So don’t yell at me about your God Trying to make me believe his lies I have my own beliefs that guide me You won't find me preaching back at you You've become tiresome and you get on my nerves You're scared and insecure When you bellow and shout your flawless case And by the way, I think you protest way too much (bridge) If you really do believe You would carry it silently in your heart But you've lost your faith And now you wander alone in the dark Don’t you think that it's quite possible That I'm tired of your teaching Usually, I find you irritable and quite mad When you mumble away about your rights (Outro) Do you believe? Is it in your heart? Have you lost your faith? Alone in the dark kind regards, HS © 2010 Unsqueezed Knee Stapler Productions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "With all that I am and all that I could be, I walk this earth and yet nobody sees me".

16 years 2 months ago

Dear HS

This is brilliant! You are a marvel at writing lyrics. Thank you so much! Now I want to hear you sing it with your band, with us as co-writers! You really put the polish on this one. Thank you! Always, Cat

Hooded Stranger

Hooded Stranger

16 years 2 months ago

Copyright

Cat, I'll keep you posted about the recorded version. As co-writer I will require your vocals on the mix too! Did you like the copyright? regards, HS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "With all that I am and all that I could be, I walk this earth and yet nobody sees me".

Hooded Stranger

Hooded Stranger

16 years 1 month ago

The Song II

Cat, I wanted to make a change to the last line of the chorus, but unfortunately I was unable to edit the song on the posting. So apologies but here is the whole thing again...with an improved chorus: Who The Hell Do You Think You Are? Please don’t tell me your bible is the only one You’re too full of arrogance When you quote to me your beloved bible Tell me which version you mean this time Don’t you think that it’s quite possible That I’m tired of your preaching Usually, I find you laughable and quite sad When you thunder away about your rights (chorus) So don’t shout at me about your faith Trying to make me believe as you do I have my own beliefs that guide me You won’t find me preaching at you (chorus) So don’t yell at me about your God Trying to make me believe his lies I have my own beliefs that guide me And your every word I hate and despise You’ve become tiresome and you get on my nerves You’re scared and insecure When you bellow and shout your flawless case And by the way, I think you protest way too much (bridge) If you really do believe You would carry it silently in your heart But you’ve lost your faith And now you wander alone in the dark Don’t you think that it’s quite possible That I’m tired of your teaching Usually, I find you irritable and quite mad When you mumble away about your rights (Outro) Do you believe? Is it in your heart? Have you lost your faith? Alone in the dark kind regards, HS © 2010 Unsqueezed Knee Stapler Productions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "With all that I am and all that I could be, I walk this earth and yet nobody sees me".

16 years 1 month ago

Dear HS

Thank you for all the work you have put into this. Yes, I like it very much! Always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

Dearest Cat

I havent been to bed yet but I read this at 6.30 this morning had a bad night but this ? cheered me up some lol ... brilliant write ... still smiling had to come comment on this one lol signed in especially you have a good evening and I am going to try and get some sleep before I gotta go out again love and biggest hugs Jayne-Chloe Btw Big Sis you rock lmao ;) ("Quote:-For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.-Ivan Panin")

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Jayne

Thank you so much for responding so sweetly. I know you know why I wrote this ;) Take care and go lightly through your day. Love, Cat

C

CyberSpace

16 years 2 months ago

Jayne told me the story I

Jayne told me the story I can only laugh, orsm poem love Snake xoxoxox

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Snake

Jayne is the best. I'm glad she told you the story of the birth of this poem. Love, Cat

Z

16 years 2 months ago

hi

CAT, claws out , i am loving it and I have to agree with where you are coming from with this ,"when you thunder away about YOUR religion " well put across , hope writing this helped ,,,,,,,,,,zigs

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Ziggy

Thanks, dear friend, it did help. always, Cat

L

lyz

16 years 2 months ago

You Rock

I am in total awe of this poem. I need to paste in on my front door. Lol. We have a lot of knockers, no pun. Lol. You have once again blown me away today, lol. Loving it all. Grand rant and I am sorry, it has left me with a smile. Lol. XX

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Lyz

Thank you! When the biggest knockers of all, come knocking (J.W.'s)I tell them "Sorry, I'm not buying any bullsh!t today!" I actually feel sorry for them, trapped inside that cult. Love, Cat

L

lyz

16 years 1 month ago

Love it

Love you. Lyz. XX

16 years 2 months ago

ur

yes ur the sermon i was in need of AMEN

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Loved

LOL. Glad I could help. Always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

To kill an infidel

"To kill an infidel is not murder, it is the path to heaven" (from The Kingdom of Heaven) Imagine living in those times? (Europe around 1000 AD) Anyhow, I think nobody likes being preached to and you express that fully imo. Mark Resilient Flexibility RUN; when there seems to be no answer common sense will not speak, so run - -go running..

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Mark

Good grief, Mark, that is really sick thinking they had. Thanks for sharing. Always, Cat

G

Grassfield

16 years 2 months ago

Religion

Walk softly and carry a big stick..... I totally identify with your write. Great write!

16 years 2 months ago

Hello

Thank you for your response. It is very nice to meet you. Always, Cat

SH

shirley harrison

16 years 2 months ago

Never been babtised!

My parents couldnt afford it and when people ask i am proud! Dearest Cat, you have a wonderful way of writing, and you are so right if we kept many things in our heart that we believed in it would be better as there really would be less anger and less war! Much love and just to say i keep things in my heart! shirley harrison

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Shirley

When we keep them in our hearts, we do them great honor. Thank you. Love, Cat

Beauregard

16 years 2 months ago

I wish I could get the guts to say this

to people! But how do you say it when one of those people is your mom?! Interesting to see this side of you Cat, Edge beware, SHE'S mad! I second Jonathan's ideas, all good suggestions there. Kelsey

16 years 2 months ago

Hi Kelsey

When I was ten years old, I told my mom, that I refused to go to church anymore and she would have to drag me kicking and screaming. And when and if we got to church, I would run up and down the isles screaming repeatedly "liar, liar pants on fire!" then I sat down in the middle of the floor and wouldn't budge. Her only recourse was to beat me and ground me. Soon enough she got tired of having my disagreeable self around the house and she stopped grounding me. It is a funny thing, that she gave up going to church alone. I think that if her faith had been that strong she wouldn't have needed someone else to go with her. Looking back, I really was a very stubborn kid. I doubt any of this story will help you, but maybe it will give you a chuckle. always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

religion is all subjective..

religion is all subjective.. the light shined in your eyes more intensely than it did the other guy?? OK. It's on you. So be tolerant. My opinion. Much love, yours truly

16 years 2 months ago

Hello

You are welcome to your opinion. Always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

Sorry guys I’m one of

Sorry guys I'm one of those people that goes knocking! don't all rush to kill me at once - I'm not pushy though and most of the people I know aren't, those that are give us a bad rep. I believe you have the right to say what you want and that includes you Cat - hope we're o.k still. Love Mand

16 years 2 months ago

Just noticed your comment to Cat

Mand there is no harm in offering and I believe what you say is right there are those who offer and dont push, but there are those who make it hard for those who quietly have their faith, thats the catagory I put myself into love and hugs Jayne-Chloe P.S I have never once see you preach to anyone hun, or insult someone for their beliefs , Mand imo your good people ("Quote:-For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.-Ivan Panin")

16 years 2 months ago

Yes! I agree with you Seren.

Yes! I agree with you Seren. Hopefully if you just say your not interested most witnesses will quietly leave, sadly there are a few who make life difficult, hopefully there arn't to many of them. Lovely to hear from you. Love Mand

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Mand

I never answer my door unless the person knocking phones me first. It is a rule I have had and kept for at least twenty years. In this day and age I feel it keeps me safe. Always, Cat

SH

shirley harrison

16 years 2 months ago

You can knock on my door anytime!

But please please bring some baked beand and walls sausages! or bernard mathews! or cadburys! or walkers crisps! LO:O:L i could go on! Their are 2 poems that i have read with religion and they have caused a stir but that just prooves their is something to talk about! Each to there own! all we need is love in our hearts and what other things we believe are no concrn of others! Much love Mand.... shirley harrison

16 years 2 months ago

Ha lol, I’d get you all

Ha lol, I'd get you all those things in exchange for some sunny days! Religion and politics - you can guarantee a highly charged debate. I agree each to there own. Love you to bits Love Mand

B

16 years 2 months ago

From ...

whence I came, the King James version was the only one tolerated, the rest trashed. Don’t tell me YOUR bible is the only one comes esp. poignant/apt to my (somewhat) jaded ear. Thanx, Chuck PS: I'm mystified by so many who seem to think that if something's believed (by themselves, of course), that that then makes it true.

16 years 2 months ago

I don't know, Chuck

It is mystifying to me, too. But then allot of what people do confuses the hell out of me. Always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

Thanks for commenting Chuck,

Thanks for commenting Chuck, we all have faith in something and we all have a right to our opionions - including you. Love Mand

16 years 2 months ago

great cat

i especially love 'you would carry it, softly, in your heart, as a gentle gift given to you,' love judy xxx ps mand - you can come knocking any time - we can discuss our views as civilized persons - i'm sure you are open to other ideas too :)xx (you bring the cake, i'll make the capachino xx)

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Judy

I meant that line sincerely. Thank you. Love, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

Hi Judy, I like that line

Hi Judy, I like that line too. Sponge cake and a capachino sounds great! Nice to hear from you. Love Mand

16 years 2 months ago

Whoa!

I love it, Cat! From the title all the way to the last word just exuded power! And it's all true, sadly. When you really look at it, Christianity can be very confusing. I base my faith on what I believe - not what a book tells me, or a person tells me. If I used the nominate/star systems you'd get a big 'ole 5-er from me! ~Jess K. ----------------------- "Life is the sun, and the show must go on and on; make it come true. Life is the sun, and the road goes on and on; paint this song any colour but blue." - Don Ross

16 years 2 months ago

Jess! You're Back!

It's so good to see you! You have been missed. Thank you so much for dropping by and reading my poem. Always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

ah cat, bless you

My feelings about proselytising are well known. I regret that I have at times turned my own poetry into a blunt instrument in opposition to it, where you speak with grace and dignity in your anger. Yet I've felt the need to, the problem goes far beyond preaching, it is smug assumptions that people who value intellectual freedom need to be vigilant against to protect the values of Neopoet, of poetry itself. I applaude you in your unfailing integrity and courage. I've found out often enough myself how vicious people of faith can become when their faulty ground is shaken. 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]

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Jess-Elf

First of all let me apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I have recently had surgery on my right knee. The pain pills given me are a blessing and a curse. They really tackle the pain but they make me stupid and unable to do anything but sleep. Second, I am so honored by your kind words of praise. I was very angry when I wrote this poem, so I had a few errors both punctuation and spelling in which Jonathan was a great help. "I’ve found out often enough myself how vicious people of faith can become when their faulty ground is shaken." Me too, Jess-Elf, and I have a way of really angering them by telling them the story of Adam and Eve and their first two children. To be as brief as possible: God created Adam and Eve, Adam and Eve had Cain and Able. Cain killed Able and angered God so that he marked him for life and sent him off to marry into another tribe. WHAT FUCKING OTHER TRIBE? I told my *Sabbath Church School teacher this story. Instead of answering my question, (without the word fucking in it) she sent me to sit in the boiler room for the rest of the day. I was only seven. She sent for my Grandmother, whom I was living with at the time, for a conference. After we got home, I was punished, severely. As in, beaten and no dinner, and no tv for a week. *Sabbath school They were seventh day Adventists who go to church on Saturday. And I went to their church school five days a week. Thank you so much for reading my poem and commenting. Love, Cat

B

16 years 2 months ago

Jess ...

Your "how vicious people of faith can become when their faulty ground is shaken" is brilliantly stated/framed ... and an accurate perception. Kudos, Chuck

16 years 2 months ago

Dear Chuck and Jess-Elf

I agree with all my heart this statement is profound. Always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

ha! knee problems? u got

ha! knee problems? u got problems in the army lol.........

16 years 2 months ago

Hello Shango

Thank you for the job you do serving in the army. Always, Cat

16 years 2 months ago

Christianity is an opinion

Christianity is an opinion glorified by capitalization lol.... so never be ashamed .... the letters never shrinked, somebody's 2 cents did! lol

16 years 2 months ago

Christianity is an opinion

Christianity is an opinion glorified by capitalization lol.... so never be ashamed .... the letters never shrinked, somebody's 2 cents did! lol

P

poewriter58

16 years 2 months ago

Cat

How on earth did I miss this one. I hear every word you are saying and agree especially with stanza#4. I find something equally annoying those that don't believe in anything telling me I am wrong. Religion or lack of it is an individual thing , no one is right or wrong. It is all a matter of opinion If I want to believe an alien rules my relegious beliefs( which I don't) I should be able to without someone telling me I am wrong and there beliefs are the only true ones/ or lack of beliefs any way sorry I let this one go unoticed Chrys

16 years 2 months ago

Thank You Chrys

You caught the full gist of what I was saying. It is nice to be understood. Love, Cat

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