A Pope for the Masses

 RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: POPE FRANCIS

 

A Pope for the Masses

 

The leader of an ancient church

A conscience to humankind

In humble heart we held him first

A unity of heart and mind

 

He opened up the pearly gates

When once those gates were chained

He criticized both church and state

Though his kindness never waned

 

His words spoke to all of us

The wicked, poor and feeble

He understood desire and lust

He drove a stake through evil

 

He spoke to all the masses

The hopeless and oppressed

The rich and lower classes

Every one of us was blessed

 

We’ll never see his like again

Of that we can be certain

To every soul he was a friend

He carried a heavy burden

 

(On the death of Pope Francis,

may he rest in peace.)

The Curse

 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

 

Separation (Church and State)

 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

 

Religious Freedom & Evolution

 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.