I missed church this week because I was down with the flu. So it’s only right that, I should post a revised version of a religious “food-for-thought” poem I wrote long ago.. Whether you agree or disagree, ALL comments are respected and appear unedited on this blog (unless you use the F word or something really tacky like that). Only hateful comments which are directed at OTHER bloggers will be deleted; hateful comments directed at me are fine, I don’t mind the heat and I love all haters (which just kills them!).
Also posted at Poets United, the poetic collective. Peace to all, Amy
ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE
When confronted with yet another conundrum,
the umpteenth tease to ensnare the “troublemaker,”
the Learned Ones asked,
“Should we pay tax to Rome?”
Jesus replied, “Give to http:Caesar that which is Caesar’s;
give the rest to God.”
If we wiped “In God We Trust” off every coin,
all forms of currency,
would God be offended?
Cease to exist?
Wipe a soon-to-be-designation “sinful city” off the map?
(Those pastors never predict; they only proclaim)
“Under God” inserted in the Pledge in the 1950s
assuring all that we were not a Godless nation
(like those Commies in Russia)
Would God disappear from our lives should we
revise the pledge, restoring it to the original?
If the Word is written on our hearts
why do we need it minted as well?
What reassurance does it give the poor man
who inserts In God We Trust into a slot machine
hoping to stave off foreclosure?
God is our Creator, and genderless:
This is my personal belief, not a universal truth.
Do schoolchildren, reciting the Pledge by rote,
paying no particular attention to one word over another,
believe in God more because God’s name is in it?
No Godless person am I
nor spiteful
Just pondering what I read in my Bible today
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
woih
some good questions here Amy…
what if you never said the word God, never practiced religion…would that bring you closer to, or further from, your heart and the ability to share it with others??
…hhmmmm. ya got my brain a ticking
thanks
Sharp Little Pencil
I’ve known avowed atheists who lived out of LOVE better than some folks who sit in the pews every week, paying their “dues.” I don’t believe God needs to be named or even believed in. I believe that, when we live out of LOVE and out of YES and out of KINDNESS, we prove God’s existence, even if we don’t mean to.
I saw an DVD recently called, “Lord, Save Us From Your Followers.” It’s about folks who shout “Lord! Lord!” and do the altar call every week to start over… then show up at funerals with signs saying “God hates F**s” or shooting women’s health care providers. Their kids are the ones who shove the “out” or “obvious” gay kids into lockers, the bullies. And they are all sure they are The Chosen Ones. More food for thought from the pastor’s wife!!! Thanks, Dennis!
Roger Green
I think I particularly hated the insertion of ‘under God’ because it affected me personally, just before I started going to school.
Sharp Little Pencil
Roger, would love to discuss this more offline. Do you have my email? I’ll visit your blog and, if you care to, I’d appreciate the discourse.
I know the “under God” part of the Pledge was one of those knee-jerk reaction things, like Clinton passing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the Defense (?) of Marriage Act under pressure from Conservatives after the Monica-Blue-Dress stuff… Glad at least 50% of that is gone, and Lt. Dan Choi and others can go back to serving their country with dignity. Amy
vivinfrance
You write a lot of sense, Amy. There’s a lot to wonder about on this earth.
Vx
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, my dear Viv. I wrote it to see what would happen, how folks would react. Just starting to respond now, so we’ll see. I truly hope those who don’t agree will feel free to respond, because that’s why I’m here! Axo
Paul Andrew Russell
A nice, thought provoking piece of writing, Amy.
Sorry to hear you’ve been ill. I hope you get back to your best soon 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Paul. Hope you are well, too! Amy
Daydreamertoo
I recently read a book that hypothesized, God created us in his image but, we mistakenly believe it means in body, when in fact it means, our minds. We too are creators, like God, and instead of us waiting for God to ‘do’ something and give us a sign etc, maybe God is waiting for US to be the creators that he made and to finally start using our higher self (minds) to connect with him on a higher level. it’s fact that we only use not even 1/3rd of what our brains can really do and, I’ve always thought there’s so much more to we humans than the powers that be have let us discover. I believe we’ve been advanced races long before in our very ancient past and that the Egyptians held a lot of the knowledge until, through time and deaths etc, the knowledge was lost into myths and corruptions of truth.
But your point is, does seeing it make it anymore believable. In God we trust. I think it’s all within, we either have a faith that is unshakable or, we are open to enlightenment and therefore we allow more light into and out of us. This who truly believe know, the Devine is a part of us, as much as we are a part of it. (I think)
Sharp Little Pencil
Now HERE is food for thought, and thanks, hon. I agree, civilization has gone through many ignorant dips (ha ha, I don’t mean Michelle Bachmann, Freudian slip) as well as many ages of true enlightenment. Today, I consider us at the lower end of that spectrum, as greed takes over. (The full Proverb is, “LOVE OF money is the root of all evil.”)
There is so much more to be achieved in peace than in war; in love than in hate. I agree that it’s all a matter of faith, and yet I know many atheists who live out of LOVE (Jesus’ great commandment) than some folks who go to church or temple or mosque without fail. If we are open to the Divine, we are open to each other. We’re all a part of creation, regardless of what we call the creator. This was an exercise in prodding folks to think about their faith, and you, my dear, have done it, masterfully. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with everyone. Peace, Amy
Debbie
Thank you Amy for always giving us food for thought! That is what poets do, right? And you are a marvelously gifted poet! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, you are the soul of commitment and graciousness. I know you know what I’m talking about, as this could easily have offended. Bless you for having a mind open enough to know that there are souls whose faith paths differ from the Christian way, and for taking it all in as you did. Truly, love, Amy
henryclemmons
I really enjoyed this. Thank you for the inspiration. I hope you are feeling better.
http://henryclemmons.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/a-gentle-surprise/
P.S. in much luv, not all Russians are communists, though I know what you are saying.:)
Sharp Little Pencil
Henry, you are so right. And thank you for mentioning the Russian/Communist thing. Sometimes I assume everyone understands why I say what I say. Truth is, I was speaking In Southern Cracker, which is the language of my sister, her husband, and their sweet, white supremacist-leaning children. (They can’t help it; they weren’t raised near me) They are all Tea Party Podunk Sarah Palin worshippers. THAT’S the voice I was using!!
And yes, I am feeling better, in part because I heard from you! Peace, Amy
claudia
i love that you americans have that in god we trust on your coins…we don’t but i think god isn’t offended anyway…i usually don’t wear my wedding ring…but that doesn’t mean i’m not married…just saying.. good thoughts in this and i love jesus’ smart answers when they tried to catch him with their questions..
Sharp Little Pencil
I have always thought it odd myself… but it is one of those “we’ve always done it that way” things. As I said, does it mean we don’t believe in God if we take it off? Or is it that we don’t need to associate God with money, a la Caesar’ being on all the coins in question when they tried to trick him? Yes, Jesus was a clever man who ended up being a political prisoner, executed by the State of Rome. People forget the politics involved. Thanks, Claudia! Amy
Tilly Bud
He gave us brains and free will; what we do with them is up to us. Your last line is a good place to start.
Sharp Little Pencil
Linda, amen, sister. It’s all about living out of love – Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindi, even atheists I know have a better track record at living for and out of love than some of the most “faithful” folks I know! Amy
dani
hope you’re feeling better, Amy. ♥ i don’t have any hateful comments, but i’ll be happy to oblige if you can give me some suggestions. {smile} dani
Sharp Little Pencil
Dear Dani,
No, I guess we don’t have an influx of hateful quotes. Besides I get enough from the evangelicals I know, LOL. I am feeling much better and finally tending to my backlog of comments (and I visit all blogs when folks stop by mine!).
Peace, and thanks for offering, but I can’t imagine you as a “hater”! Peace, Amy
wolfsrosebud
Some good thoughts you give us today… hope your feeling better.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much for stopping and for the good wishes. I’m fine now. Did the right thing and spent three days in bed!
brian
eh i think we pass the coin and say the pledge without much thought anyway…now try to get it off there and the moral majority (dont know if they constitiue a majority) will surely raise a hubbub…godas genderless is not really controversial to me…nice write…
Sharp Little Pencil
Brian, people are shocked when they find out I’m married to a pastor and have such an open worldview. I say as long as we’re living out of love, what does it matter what we call the creator? And frankly, I know lots of agnostics and atheists who live out of love better than some worshipers. I agree about the “rote mentality” of the pledge, etc., and that the Fundamentalist Right (“It’s not just for Islam anymore” should be its tagline) keeps its eye on crap like this so that the folks on top can bilk us out of more filthy lucre!
Thanks, and it sounds like we’re on the same plane… or at least the same planet! Amy
Old Raven
I had some concerns as I read your preface to the poem. However, after reading I had none. You know, Instead of “In God we trust printed upon our money … it would be more truthful to give many a cross to cary with the words “In money we trust.”
Good poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, you’re cutting right to the bone there, and good for you. I tried to preface it with a warning that it wasn’t for everyone… but it turns out we all have more in common than I thought. Thanks, Raven!
Luke Prater
well religion ain’t my cup of absinthe but I do like your wit and I’ll never disrespect anyone for truly finding a spiritual path that suits them. Oh and you write excellent poetry! Sharp. As your pseudonym attests.
Warmest salad
Luke @ WordSalad
Sharp Little Pencil
Luke, ha ha, cup of absinthe – with a sugar cube added with the little pour-through spoon…
Glad you feel free to say what you want. And thanks for the compliment; truly appreciated by yours truly. Love, Amy
Renee Espriu
As always you and I are on the same page, Sue. Unfortunately, the human race feels it needs labels for everything and for some things it seems to say to everyone else, like the name tags we wear, “Look! This is who I am”, when in reality it really isn’t necessary.
Sharp Little Pencil
Renee, hope you were talking to me and not Sue! (LOL, if I had a dime for every time…)
The labels truly are unnecessary, and yet human beings seem to thrive on categorizing each other, drawing boundaries and borders, saying who’s “in” and who’s “out” (the speaker, of course, always being “in”). Mind you, I love men, love them dearly, but I’m thinking if we had a few more warm hearted women in power (not just powergrubbers like Hillary Clinton), we’d be better off all around. That includes clergy! Amy
georgefloreswrite
🙂 I think about these things too. Sometimes I wonder if what I read in the Bible is accurate or whether it has been colored by the writer’s viewpoints or social conventions of the time period they were written in. Sometimes I prefer my own view. Sometimes I feel guilty about even thinking that.
Sharp Little Pencil
I think your own view is your own view. And I’m a pastor’s wife. All paths lead to the same place if one lives out of love, so try and ease up on that guilt.
The Bible was indeed written (and revised repeatedly) by an elite group of men in certain times and places. If you took it literally now, well, face it: If you had bacon this morning, you’re going to Hell. And since I think there’s enough Hell on earth, why worry about such things? LOVE, George, and leave the rest to creation, which has a way of sorting these things out. GUILT SUCKS ANYWAY, ha ha.
georgefloreswrite
Big hugs to you, Amy. You are a wise woman, that was exactly what I needed to hear!
Sharp Little Pencil
So glad I hit the high notes for you, George! I’m not sure I’m wise, but I do tend to keep my ears open… Peace, Amy
bajanpoet
I love this piece … came over from dVerse Pub 🙂 Awesome …. Pondering …
I love this line “If the Word is written on our hearts / why do we need it minted as well?” Why indeed….
Love the pondering 🙂 Love the verse 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
So glad you made it over from dverse! I’m catching up on responses, then I will do some clicking there as well.
Thanks for this. You picked out my favorite line as well! Glad it was good food for thought. Headed your way now! Peace, Amy
Gay Reiser Cannon
I find this a poem of exploration. I think belief is critical to survival. I was in grade school when “under God” was inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance. I went to Catholic school. I was dumbfounded and aghast at the time. My family was Protestant, but my mother had married a Catholic..so there I was. I felt the first amendment was as sacred as the Mass. It made it possible to escape torture and death to live free to believe and say what you want in “America”. One was polite to people of other faiths, one respected that faith was determined by one’s own conscience, it was American to respect them. It defined us. Americans were brave (we’d help win WWII with massive sacrifices) and we were free (thanks to that).
Therefore we felt good about being under the auspices of God…and the U.S.A.
But it felt WRONG to place God into the state thing…it crossed the line, it broke faith with the “idea” of freedom. I can’t say if that was the beginning of the downward spiral. But now we have people demanding tax exemptions for preachers on tv. We have political parties aligning with certain churches to get votes for people who want to usurp freedoms, rape the land, make the poorest pay the bills, and scream hate at persons of certain religions. We grew up with great compassion for the Jewish people, we knew the West was opened by Asian peoples who had completely different types of thought. We believed they had a “right” to the melting pot. But that is gone. Muslims who have been “Americans” for generations are subjected to so much indignity because of politics and the games political leaders have played.
The line has been crossed, freedom has been compromised, and Americans barely tolerate people who have different beliefs.
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, a potent comment. So much here. I agree that the insertion of “under God” was needless – as I said, it was knee-jerk McCarthyism, at a time when people from all walks of life, but especially creative people, were being denied employment based on assumptions and outright lies.
I am married to a pastor and take ABSOLUTELY no offense to what you said about televangelists. It’s true – I say, if you want to know the quality of a preacher, look at how they dress (silk suit? Armani? or JCPenney, like my husband), how often they talk about “God’s abundance” referring to money, and where they live… and what they drive. In our case, one used car (I ride public transit) and we rent! So much for the profit in “prophet.” Jesus never had a pillow. He was homeless.
As to the melting pot, it seems the yahoos want certain people “skimmed off.” Lady Liberty must want to pull her skirt over the words, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” (unless, as some would have it, you’re Mexican, Arabic OR Jewish, or any kind of poor) America has lost her way. Our money may say we “trust in God,” but it’s just lip service until we get back to compassion and freedom. Amen to you, my sister. Amy
johnallenrichter
Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! How incredibly intense, thoughtful and completley breathtaking this was for me! I’m sorry for this but OMG! When I read your prelude I was preparing myself for a soft waltz into the beauty of life and reasons for living, but i certainly was not prepared to take this amazing trek into the mind of a genius! From “http:Ceasar” to the Pledge of allegience Screaming that we are not “(like those” …godless… “Commies in Russia)” to “In God We Trust” being inserted into slot machines by those looking for an easy way out, or perhaps just tricked by an evil taxing system flaunting gold at the end of a vacant rainbow to poor slobs living day to day, your words are incredibly deep and I enjoyed this immensely…. I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are, I believe in God but am very personal about that, and I am going to be following you from now on not because of your faith but because you are an incredible poet…. Thank you for these few delicious moments…… -John
Sharp Little Pencil
Holy smokes, this comment blew me away. I am so pleased the poem connected with you! I, too, believe in God, but I respect every path. I have said many times that there are atheists I know who live more out of love and generosity than regular worshipers. Also glad you “got” the connection with the slot machines. So ironic, every single coin that goes in says “In God we trust,” but in money we find pleasure, right? And to be clear, the “godless Commies in Russia” is the voice of some crackers I know who refuse to accept that not only will the south NOT rise again, but we are all rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic if we don’t get around to accepting one another with the true embrace of a free America.
And now, on to your blog! Thanks, this gave me an incredible lift, John. Amy
georgefloreswrite
Amy – this was my reply to you on my blog. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t include it. I put it here because I wanted to make sure you got it. Here:
Amy, don’t worry about leaving me a reply or visiting my blog every time I comment. I appreciate you doing it, but some of my stuff takes too long to read and might not be to your tastes. If you can’t find time for the forum, don’t bother worrying about that either. It’s just a place I hang out in sometimes and they had a poetry section, so I thought I’d mention it. I’ll just visit your blog and enjoy your beautiful poems. No reciprocation is necessary.
I am embarassed that you checked out the site right when I posted about things I disliked about Christianity and hope that you were not offended. If so, I apologize.
Take care of yourself; I fully understand. May you have peace as well, Amy!
George
Sharp Little Pencil
George, no one EVER has to apologize for disliking anything I embrace. That’s why I wrote that over my Comments button. Please don’t feel embarrassed at all; we all have our own paths, and it’s obvious to me that you live out of the spirit of LOVE and EMBRACE. You don’t have to be religious at all to do it – I’m in the United Church of Christ because they are not homophobic, they are committed to social justice, and I love that feeling of community. That’s my choice. But there are Wiccans I know who are mindful with every single step they take how precious the earth is; I know atheists who live out of love better than some worshipers.
I respond to EVERY comment. That’s my commitment I made to myself when I started this blog (unless I’m sick or something… then you might all get a “group hug” about a posting, LOL).
And yes, the forum is too much for me to take on right now, but I have bookmarked it for future consideration. Thank you for thinking enough of my work that you would refer me to that group! Blessings and peace all over you, honey. Amy
georgefloreswrite
If that’s the same as the Unity churches we have here in Florida, I’ll be checking it out. I went to one service where people seemed really into changing themselves from the inside and doing the work.(They were even taking notes) I’m originally Catholic, the source of my complaining post, and need something that’s not as judgmental, but committed to good. Blessings and peace to you too, Amy, I’m glad I found you and your blog, George.
Sharp Little Pencil
Unity and the United Church of Christ are different, actually, but my aunt and uncle attended Unity Church and truly loved it. It’s a very open, accepting place, like the UCC. Funny aside – I was raised Episcopalian (also known as “lazy Catholics who can get a divorce thanks to Henry VIII, who created the church”) and my husband was raised Catholic. We met in a UCC church (the common denominator for us was that it sprang from Congregational roots – defenders of the Amistad prisoners; faith pioneers of social justice causes like Abolition, women’s rights, migrant farmworkers, and the fledgling ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We are also Open and Affirming, important and Lex and to me – we both have gay family and friends. Lex is now a pastor, and our church is really great!
I always say: Look at the pastor (does s/he drive a fancy car, wear fancy clothes, have a mansion) to check their values (abundance does NOT mean we’re supposed to be rich, especially pastors!), and see if you get a good welcome and like the people in the pews. Pastors come and go, but the folks stay together. I hope you find the church that’s right for you, and Unity sounds like a blessing for you! Amy
georgefloreswrite
Thanks Amy, I’m going to give it a try. Maybe it’ll work for me. I have a close kinship with someone who is homosexual and if I, as a human, can accept them, God who is way more accepting must be able to do so also. Seems people are always trying to limit what the Boss will do and none has the authority to make decrees like that.
Sharp Little Pencil
You’re right, George. If we started looking with our souls first rather than our eyes; if our love was stronger than our judgments, we’d be living the way God wants. It’s about peace, love, understanding, and compassion. I agree with you all the way… especially about how humans put their spin on God – and it always seems to come out in their personal favor! Ugh.
Kwee Lewis
This is good. I question what I believe and why. I used to think that someday I’d get it all figured and be able to once again rest in blind faith. But now I understand I’ll never get it figured out, not any more. Too much life has been lived. Now, I am simply happy with what I learn by asking the questions. But, sometimes, though I don’t like to admit it, I’m just a little bit envious of those still oblivious and still blinded by faith. How easy life was then.
Thank you.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yet the unexamined faith, like the unexamined life… is hollow. People get sucked into belief systems and worship the preacher in the mansion and silk suit who preaches that “God’s abundance” means money…!
Our life is all about the journey. It takes us down all sorts of paths, spiritual and otherwise. And yes, it’s easier to “not think about it” than to reconsider. Some folks get tired of the questions and simply resign themselves; it’s quite like former activists who become Tea Party members. They’re just TIRED. Love, A