Believe Me, I Tried.
When I was young I wanted to believe
that there's a God in Heaven up above
who formed this world and everything that's in it.
Who did all this and more because of Love.
But as I grew, my mind began to question.
As I learned how to think, the doubts began.
I sought some reassurance from a cleric.
But the cleric it turned out, was just a man.
He had his own doubts about certain doctrines.
He saw the point of my questions, then said
"My child, you have to seek God with your heart of hearts.
For you will never find Him with your head".
I kind of understood what he was saying.
But I left with a feeling of dismay.
For if this God has given me a brain to think,
it makes no sense to put my brain away.
Why can I never reach Him via logic?
Why does He want a faith that is so blind?
I find I cannot be that kind of person.
I can't believe without using my mind.
poetwithcancer
Dear Kath, // I found this poem to be heart-breaking, for me, for many reasons. My main reason is Brian--what happened to him. Brian's suffering and death make me need so much to be comforted by belief in a heavenly Father who loves Brian and will not let him lie dead forever in the dust. Yet what I had to witness, was so terrible, it re-kindled old doubts. Reanimated old questions. I feel your pain in this poem, because I feel my similar pain. You expressed well the quandary of those who respect intelligence and the integrity of intelligence, over apparently self-fooling blind faith. Yet I have hope. There are still many miracles in the world, and much magic, and so much beauty: I still have hope, for Brian, for me, and for you. Try just hoping, Kath. You already have love. Remember? "Faith, hope, and love: and the greatest of these is love." Two out of three isn't bad, as the saying goes. Especially if one of the two is the greatest of the three. I wish you happiness and long life. I care about you, Kath. Bye now. --Michael
Dear Kath, // I found this poem to be heart-breaking, for me, for many reasons. My main reason is Brian--what happened to him. Brian's suffering and death make me need so much to be comforted by belief in a heavenly Father who loves Brian and will not let him lie dead forever in the dust. Yet what I had to witness, was so terrible, it re-kindled old doubts. Reanimated old questions. I feel your pain in this poem, because I feel my similar pain. You expressed well the quandary of those who respect intelligence and the integrity of intelligence, over apparently self-fooling blind faith. Yet I have hope. There are still many miracles in the world, and much magic, and so much beauty: I still have hope, for Brian, for me, and for you. Try just hoping, Kath. You already have love. Remember? "Faith, hope, and love: and the greatest of these is love." Two out of three isn't bad, as the saying goes. Especially if one of the two is the greatest of the three. I wish you happiness and long life. I care about you, Kath. Bye now. --Michael
Linda Winchell
I have a very logical mind myself, but God wants us ALL to seek after the wisdom only HE can give mankind. Now, that said, it doesn't come with out a cost. It will cost all of us some time, some patience, some deep soul searching, and of course God's forgiveness. Now, I myself do not follow organized religion. I am not a member of ANY church, but I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I let the words He left us, guide me. I let it speak what it does to ME, which at times is different. Is a soup or stew the same each time we make it? No, always has a bit of difference, but good all the same. That is how I look at the written word of God. Always changing to meet my needs of that moment. We are all given FREE will. We can choose to go one way or the other. Up or down, right or left, good or bad, our choice. I choose in my life to do good, love everyone no matter what! It is so easy to love those who love us back, and hard to love those who don't. I choose to love ALL no matter what the case. I love that you've taken the time however to question God. He want's us to I'm sure. He will answer you and I when needing an answer. And be quite when that is needed as well. Enjoy the silence when it is given. I hear more and see more in the silence and darkness of a room. God bless, Love in Christ, Linda
I have a very logical mind myself, but God wants us ALL to seek after the wisdom only HE can give mankind. Now, that said, it doesn't come with out a cost. It will cost all of us some time, some patience, some deep soul searching, and of course God's forgiveness. Now, I myself do not follow organized religion. I am not a member of ANY church, but I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I let the words He left us, guide me. I let it speak what it does to ME, which at times is different. Is a soup or stew the same each time we make it? No, always has a bit of difference, but good all the same. That is how I look at the written word of God. Always changing to meet my needs of that moment. We are all given FREE will. We can choose to go one way or the other. Up or down, right or left, good or bad, our choice. I choose in my life to do good, love everyone no matter what! It is so easy to love those who love us back, and hard to love those who don't. I choose to love ALL no matter what the case. I love that you've taken the time however to question God. He want's us to I'm sure. He will answer you and I when needing an answer. And be quite when that is needed as well. Enjoy the silence when it is given. I hear more and see more in the silence and darkness of a room. God bless, Love in Christ, Linda
Patrick McFarland
Without doubt, there can be no faith. Without faith there can be no religion. Without religion, well personally I think we're all better off. Chaos hit the nail on the head. Religion needs to stop obstructing the path to divinity. Excellent poem that asks some pertinent questions Kath. Hitting the 'recommend' button on this one.
Without doubt, there can be no faith. Without faith there can be no religion. Without religion, well personally I think we're all better off. Chaos hit the nail on the head. Religion needs to stop obstructing the path to divinity. Excellent poem that asks some pertinent questions Kath. Hitting the 'recommend' button on this one.
Botan
It is good of you that you are trying, listen to the logic Of nature sincerely and neutrally. Step by step, you will know what lights in the universe really exsist and how it is logical to your sense of judgjment. It is like a lottery out there waiting for the winner, seek logic, good luck.
It is good of you that you are trying, listen to the logic Of nature sincerely and neutrally. Step by step, you will know what lights in the universe really exsist and how it is logical to your sense of judgjment. It is like a lottery out there waiting for the winner, seek logic, good luck.
Sandra Martyres
Hi Kath....I see what you mean...logic does not seem to play a role in matters of faith....I am convinced that only blind faith in the existence of God can work!
Hi Kath....I see what you mean...logic does not seem to play a role in matters of faith....I am convinced that only blind faith in the existence of God can work!
Yacov Mitchenko
I think the following lines are excellent: "For if this God has given me a brain to think,/It makes no sense to put my brain away." As for why you can't reach him via logic, the answer is simple: because logic itself is limited; God by definition is unlimited. Another way of putting it is this: Thought is a process of fragmentation; knowledge can always be accumulated, which implies that it is limited. I'm not denying the efficacy or necessity of logic in certain respects, but after the manner of Kant, we need to recognize the limits beyond which thought cannot go. That would be the first step. Moreover, we would have to acknowledge and actually SEE the extent to which we have been conditioned psychologically (by our parents, the society, religion, media, and so on). This is quite relevant because conditioning hampers direct perception and vision. For example, to label yourself a Christian or a Leftist or a Liberal or whatever is detrimental to clear vision because the KNOWN has taken center stage; you are guided by the conditioned thought, not direct perception. And what happens? There is conflict, because once you've labeled yourself a Christian you will find someone who isn't; for every Liberal there is a Conservative. It's important to see the divisive nature of conditioned thought. Sure, we can tolerate those in opposing camps, but that doesn't mean very much in the end; we still FEEL separate. And of course where that feeling of separation dominates, there is no vision of that which is beyond time.
I think the following lines are excellent: "For if this God has given me a brain to think,/It makes no sense to put my brain away." As for why you can't reach him via logic, the answer is simple: because logic itself is limited; God by definition is unlimited. Another way of putting it is this: Thought is a process of fragmentation; knowledge can always be accumulated, which implies that it is limited. I'm not denying the efficacy or necessity of logic in certain respects, but after the manner of Kant, we need to recognize the limits beyond which thought cannot go. That would be the first step. Moreover, we would have to acknowledge and actually SEE the extent to which we have been conditioned psychologically (by our parents, the society, religion, media, and so on). This is quite relevant because conditioning hampers direct perception and vision. For example, to label yourself a Christian or a Leftist or a Liberal or whatever is detrimental to clear vision because the KNOWN has taken center stage; you are guided by the conditioned thought, not direct perception. And what happens? There is conflict, because once you've labeled yourself a Christian you will find someone who isn't; for every Liberal there is a Conservative. It's important to see the divisive nature of conditioned thought. Sure, we can tolerate those in opposing camps, but that doesn't mean very much in the end; we still FEEL separate. And of course where that feeling of separation dominates, there is no vision of that which is beyond time.
Fay Slimm
Agree with Chaos here Kath - food for thought raised in this wistful verse.
Agree with Chaos here Kath - food for thought raised in this wistful verse.
stevenstirk
Much enjoyed Jath. A resounding philosphy for the pursuit of doubt. I have enjoyed reading this clever piece. Ian did one earlier which was equally challenging. It seems to be National doubt day.
Much enjoyed Jath. A resounding philosphy for the pursuit of doubt. I have enjoyed reading this clever piece. Ian did one earlier which was equally challenging. It seems to be National doubt day.
Chaos1214
Ahh... But none of us will ever find God until religion get's out of the way : |
Ahh... But none of us will ever find God until religion get's out of the way : |
Mind engaging, soul searching questions are woven perfectly within this beautifully crafted poem - when philosophy meets poetry, you shine! I am recommending this inspirational marvel - it simply has to be read. :)