RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: HOLY WARS
The Curse
Religion can be a blessing
Just as often it’s a curse
Nothing good can happen
When we place religion first
The Muslims hate the Christians
The Christians hate the Jews
When people fight for faith
Both sides will always lose
The Shias hate the Sunnis
The Hindus hate them all
They all claim to be peaceful
Then we’re up against the wall
Too many wars have been fought
Not to know the damage done
When both sides fight for God
Holy wars are never won
RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
Separation
The separation of church and state
Is a wall that should not be broken
Of the horrors we might contemplate
This one should be unspoken
The wonders of hypocrisy
They claim to love our nation best
Betray our young democracy
By failing a fundamental test
Religion has no proper place
In the governance of a nation
To human rights a plain disgrace
Like sanctified discrimination
For it has never ever been as clear
As it is on this fair day
The collapse of principle we fear
Has led us far astray
Keep whatever faith you will
It is not for me to say
Honor the creed thou shall not kill
And worship as you may
RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: RELIGION
Religious Freedom & Evolution
Every individual on the planet
Has a right to believe whatever
He or she chooses to believe
So long as that belief does not obstruct
The life or liberty of others
All religions that honor this right
Should in turn be honored and
Embraced for whatever good they do
And provide for human dignity
Any religion that fails to uphold this right
That exceeds the boundaries of religious
tolerance should be compelled to evolve
In its beliefs for the advancement and
Betterment of civilization as a whole
Many religions (not all but many)
In their original forms – like the civilizations
That formed them – were built on a
Foundation of conquest and war
While this disposition may have served
Humankind in ways we no longer understand
Any purpose or benefit it once served has
Like the creatures of ancient times
Run its course and now serves only to
Impede the progress and survival
Of all inhabitants of the planet
Let us therefore dedicate ourselves to
A new and higher system of human
Belief and religious practice
Let us reform our religions in accordance
With the principal of tolerance and
Respect for our fellow beings
Amen.
