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Rass's Poetry, lyk wow =0
Uhm, well it's poetry, or my babbling. Depending on how I feel that day. It'll either be, babbling, random s**t, something I saw funny, my poetry, my ranting or pictures/avy art I've gotten. :3nod: Enjoy, lyk now.
[Insert good sounding title here]
This is another poem that I wrote for a competition. The challenge was to write a poem that does not rhyme, taking a side on something political in some way. This one is about how, at least here, Christians have been silenced and trampled on, in a manner of speaking, for their beliefs. This is soley based on things that happened here where I live and in the schools I've gone to. It's not a very strong poem. It needs to be revised, editted and rewritten. But it's here for all it's glory.

And before anyone asks...No, I didn't win the competition. The competition holder couldn't swallow what I was saying, because she claimed too many Christians had tried to convert her in her lifetime and since that has happened so much there is no way in Hell Christians could ever be silenced. After all, they run the world, they cant possibly ever fall into silence to avoid conflict for the better of everyone...

EDIT IN NOTE:: Just wanted to put this in cause of a couple peoples comments, some of this is just symbolism and isnt tied to any actual happenings.

Rape of Rights
I'm watching it on TV
At the schools
And in the street

You're tearing down the cross
But denying it's even there
That's okay though
You have your rights
You shouldn't have to see it

But where have my rights gone?
To express my faith openly
My mouth has been sealed shut
By the separation of church and state
My freedom of speech has been torn from me
Because you claim a word offends you

A teenager in high school is suspended for a week
He's said a sentence in Spanish that offends the nation
But only one person said a thing about it
Only one person knew what he said and cared
He said "Happy Birthday Jesus"
And they said, oh and I quote
"He shouldn't be allowed to say that"

Here now I pose a question
It won't be answered though
If you don't even believe
How does it offend you?
A word or a sign can't invade your space
Can't try to convert you
And yet you whine

My people are being raped constantly
They keep their silence though
We want to keep the peace and respect other's rights
Even if that means ours are taken away
Because we're an accepting people
But I think we're growing tired of it

We have been silenced and scolded
For something we were told we could do
Imagine what God would think
Seeing our jaws wired shut

I'm tired of being raped and taken advantage of
I'm tired of being silent
I'm tired of watching what I say
So I don't offend the atheist?s
I want my rights back
In fact
I demand my rights back
In the name of God and the Constitution



Note: As I said, this is based on things that had happened here and in the schools I went to. Yes, a kid got suspended for saying that on some pretend news show in a highschool. In addition, another thing I was going to add but didn't have room because I felt it was already cluttered and poorly done (I had a deadline), a kid I knew a few years ago was suspended I think, if I remember correctly, for a week for having a bible at school. Now, there is no rules against having a bible at school, its treated just like any other book. He had it sitting beside him on his book bag, doing his work, and some jackass saw it and decided, OMJ it was against his rights for it to sit in his general vicinity. He told the teacher, and the son of a b***h teacher decided that kid was right and informed the kid with the bible to put it in his bag and put it in his locker on passing period and then take it home and never bring it back. He asked why, she told him not to back talk and that basically having it there was violating the rights of others because they had to see it, which they didnt if they didnt want to look. I was there, no one even ******** noticed the bible till the jackass made a big deal about it. So anyways, the kid informed her there were no rules against having a bible, he'd even asked the counselors and administration of the school. He ended up suspended because she claimed he was causing a disturbance by sitting in his desk and having a book with him...a ******** book...

Second note: If this somehow offends you, go ahead and say so. I don't really care because I personally am offended by athiests claiming seeing a cross offends them. If you don't believe, then it's just a book, it's just a sign, it's just a word. And yes, I'm singling out the athiests, because those are the ones that attack Christians the most (at least here).

Remember, there are other poems too, go ahead and read those while you're here, I'm sure you'll enjoy them far more.






User Comments: [58] Viewing page 0 of 2 · Goto Page: 1 2 »  [add]
~ kiss_me_im_punk ~
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commentCommented on: Sat Jul 16, 2005 @ 01:36pm
interesting smile


commentCommented on: Sat Jul 16, 2005 @ 02:59pm
intense



SonOfDawn
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commentCommented on: Sat Jul 16, 2005 @ 03:11pm
When people are raped, they should speak up. The threats the raper makes are mostly fake. Talking to someone about it does a world of good.

And whatever happened to the Constitution? The freedom of speech and religion? I think that is just fine to keep a Bible with you, even at school. That jackass should keep his snobby a** out of other people's things, because violating his "general vicinity" just violated that boy's privacy. That is just not fair, suspending him like that. He was just doing what he felt was right, and if that's not good enough, so be it.

By the way, I like your poems and I totally agree with "Rape of Rights". whee They have a strong voice and are so descriptive. You are a good poet, perhaps you can get a few published...?

Keep up with your great poems! I will keep an eye on this Journal's Entries if you don't mind. wink


commentCommented on: Sat Jul 16, 2005 @ 03:16pm
Oh yeah, one more thing. What is Beloved (By Toni Morrison) about? I think I want to read it. heart



[ .Twisted Fantasy. ]
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commentCommented on: Sat Jul 16, 2005 @ 03:47pm
I love the poem..and yes i know what you mean...infront of my school theres a church...Last year on the first day of school they gave all the student a little bibble before they entered the school....The onl problem was that wen class started the teacher would take them away -.-...and who knows what they did with them.


You keep goin ,Dont worry about what people say 3nodding Your work is great


commentCommented on: Sat Jul 16, 2005 @ 04:18pm
I like this a lot.

I guess this sort of issue is a bit different for me, because I go to a christian school. We have chapel once a week, and sing hymns in assembly. A bible and a prayer book are on our book-lists, and we have a religion class once a week.

This poem also reminds me a lot of the "Christ-less Christmas" we had last year.
I'm not a Christian, but my family are, and I find it horrible that the Christmas decorations in our city were changed last year. Originally they were the nativity scene. But then the councillors thought it was politically incorrect, and didn't want to offend any other religions, so they replaced it with santa and a christmas tree. The funny thing was, heaps of people from other religions said it was stupid, and this year, they're bringing the christ decorations back.

<3



Kaibi
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daydreamer96
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commentCommented on: Sat Jul 16, 2005 @ 04:21pm
this is really good and it really shows your beliefs and your perspective of what you see in your life, although where i am there's cases like that but none i actually witnessed. It's great.


commentCommented on: Sat Jul 16, 2005 @ 08:02pm
Thats really good dear!



Exquizyt
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KingPhreeze
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commentCommented on: Sat Jul 16, 2005 @ 08:15pm
It has meaning and everything, but i still think Dr. Seuss is the king.


commentCommented on: Sun Jul 17, 2005 @ 11:04am
^^ "A well written poem about situations in your life. Also, a powerful issue to write about. I suggest you publish a book with series of poems with issues that are problems here today in the US. But beyond that, a wonderful poem. ^^"



sakura159753
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BurtonDude
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commentCommented on: Sun Jul 17, 2005 @ 03:52pm
Awsome! I'm going to come and read your journal regularly 3nodding


commentCommented on: Mon Jul 18, 2005 @ 11:43pm
I am totally offended by that. If they think they have the right or authority to do that to people then we shall soon have civil war on our hands. The constitution states that we shall have seperation of church and state, so how can they possible dare say that you cant have a bible out, that is mingling church and state to a very large degree. This poem is very strong, it is very good. I like your style, it has depth.



Dr.Speth
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lord of the bagels!
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commentCommented on: Wed Jul 20, 2005 @ 09:46pm
Wow you must be quite the poest blaugh


commentCommented on: Thu Jul 21, 2005 @ 12:26am
This might not be your first poem, but it definetely was a good one for me to read (1st time I've read your journal)

I'm hooked. I'm going to go read your other entries. They certainly must be as fascinating as this one.

Hmmm, I might even start posting my own poems in my journal...



JamesVonJames
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Kayarna
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commentCommented on: Sat Jul 23, 2005 @ 03:57pm
That is a really good poem and it is so true. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and religions, but in the end we are all equal and the same.


commentCommented on: Sun Jul 24, 2005 @ 07:33am
Yes, i agree. we shuld all have equal rights and not have one side dominating over the other... i think you should of won the poem comp 3nodding



Spike_Night
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apathy guide
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commentCommented on: Sun Jul 24, 2005 @ 11:42pm
Wow. That's really impressive. Congratulations


commentCommented on: Mon Jul 25, 2005 @ 06:05pm
indeed, you took alot of time to do this?



i_am_just_a_guy
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Spring Blush
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commentCommented on: Tue Jul 26, 2005 @ 12:57am
I agree. I don't understand why it is ok to deny Christians their freedoms just because a few people say it is. But I don't understand a lot about the politically correct climate in America now, anyway.


commentCommented on: Tue Jul 26, 2005 @ 03:22am
Wonderful Poems. heart You have yet another fan.



Misshelle
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maniacbe-be
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commentCommented on: Tue Jul 26, 2005 @ 04:03am
wow, i understand where your coming from. and i understand the way you feel but my feeling has nothing to do with religion. i get silenced alot and i get in trouble for the things i believe in, its rough. but i liked the poem...


commentCommented on: Tue Jul 26, 2005 @ 09:00pm
eek That's really good.

"My mouth has been sealed shut
By the separation of church and state"
--I believe they should be separate, though...

"My freedom of speech has been torn from me
Because you claim a word offends you"
Yeah, I think you're right about that.

I'm an atheist but I really like it!! Congrats on another good poem^_^



Hotaru Watase
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Rass
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commentCommented on: Tue Jul 26, 2005 @ 09:46pm
::makes a note:: whee

Church and state should be seperate, but theres a difference between seperating the two, and making it that I cant say my peice because it involves God, when those who are against me can say whatever it is they want about me, what I do, and what I believe, because they aren't standing for God or a religion.


commentCommented on: Tue Jul 26, 2005 @ 10:55pm
I like that muchly, sounds great!



[ManicaL Em]
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Unreasonable Sin
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commentCommented on: Thu Jul 28, 2005 @ 04:54am
i loved it. i'm not christian, i'm a buddhist (jew) but i side with my asianness. but i understand. One kid in my class who was very jewish kept asking me and the two christians in my class why we were in a jewish scholl if we didn't really beleive their beleifs. We listened to anti-christian stuff as well, it may not sound like it but if we said anything remotly christian like we got introuble. it was weird. we got strange looks in our class. i actually got into lots of arguments with him. he beleives that there should be no seperation between church and state, and i did. so yea, i am really tired and i havn't eaten. so i don't even know what i'm writing so i apologize.


commentCommented on: Fri Jul 29, 2005 @ 02:44am
i like it. i like it a lot.



fallingpowers
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` S e x
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commentCommented on: Fri Jul 29, 2005 @ 06:51pm
Wow, that was really good! whee heart And I don`t usually say that. 3nodding


commentCommented on: Sat Jul 30, 2005 @ 02:31am
i'll hav 2 agree & disagree w/ ur pts & the pts of ur commentors.

1st off the constitution nvr states separation of church & state. u can check it out if u want. (my 12th grade history teach, who's read it many times & maybe even memorized it, said so.) some prez said that bit & every1 else began using it. h/e, i do not think something representing christianity should b infront of a gov building. i know ppl can "not look" but it's like the gov is promoting that religion b/c they don't hav other religious statues.

& thoses 2 suspension stories r stupid. they shouldn't hav been suspended b/c there r no rules against it & they had just as much right to say it as the next person who doesn't want them 2 say it. as my 8th grade history teach said, "ur rights end when u infrindge on some1 else's." h/e, what they were doing did not infringe on other's rights & i doubt it was "disrupting" class that much.

but the US is kinda weird like that... "majority rules, but minority rights." as guess as long as u hav a good lawyer u can win ur case. razz . no, if the case won, usually it's b/c that side had a vy strong arguement. but i do think it's kinda stupid how something so sm is made so important.

also, i don't think u should hav lost the contest "b/c she didn't believe in what u said". i (& it looks like a lot of ur readers) don't fully agree w/ everything but that doesn't make it a "bad" poem. :/.

ahh... if there's nething else i wanted 2 say... i 4got it. XD.



pikachu4ever88
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commentCommented on: Sat Jul 30, 2005 @ 05:21am
This is a good poem. It's very interesting. You have true poems and I like that! I write poems(and stories) as well, They are in my Journal.


commentCommented on: Sat Jul 30, 2005 @ 08:28am
Wow, very good job depicting some interesting topics, your words are strong in your poetry, yet they cna be somewhat weak at part, I'm not saying it's sucks, because by gawd it doesn't! ^_^
It's a very powerful poem that gives out an excellent message!

I hope to see more!

~Steinie



Staeus Von Wolfenhart
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Ares_warrior
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commentCommented on: Sat Jul 30, 2005 @ 01:08pm
good..


commentCommented on: Sat Jul 30, 2005 @ 09:29pm
I think it's really interesting.

Especially as an atheist myself. But... I can't imagine saying anything like that.. (about the kid's bible and everything)



Machika Balfaltin
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[..-Punkrock.Penguin-..]
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commentCommented on: Tue Aug 02, 2005 @ 12:24am
I really do love the message.
I'm not Christian myself, and I do not like how so many people exploit it because it gives them power over others. There's nothing really wrong with the religion itself.
I think that all these Christians are being silenced because athiests and the like have had the same things happen to them in the past. But reacting to discrimination with more discrimination doesn't solve anything. That just digs a deeper hole for all of us. And in acting out against Christians as such, it makes them hypocrites.

Occasionally in the newspaper you'll see stories about cities removing the cross from their logo, schools changing their pledge, and the like. Who cares about these things? A little cross on the seal for the city? Big deal. How does that insult anyone? It's not like they're shoving the Bible in people's faces and telling them to worship it.

It reminds me of the racism against whites here in California. Why should we be punished for things we didn't even do? What gives people the right to insult us openly for things our anterior did? It's all ridiculous. It seems like everyone's all just going to be continually repeating our own mistakes; freeing ourselves from something then doing it ourselves.

There are Christians who do parade around trying to convert everyone they come across, yes. Or similar. That's true for many religions. However, not all Christians are like that, and it's insulting that if someone had a Bible on his desk that he'd be suspended.


commentCommented on: Tue Aug 02, 2005 @ 09:56pm
Very good! I can understand your point in this, and I believe it is true. By them taking away Chistianity it is taking away the rights of Christians. At our school many students walk around with their bibles.



Bandit of Love
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MechaMax
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commentCommented on: Fri Aug 05, 2005 @ 12:33am
Your poem has touched my soul. i feel the same way i can't express what i want to say with out being told that i can't say that


commentCommented on: Fri Aug 05, 2005 @ 01:06am
*raises her hands* Atheist here. You can't judge us all as a whole. I know many that don't give a flying ******** what you do. s**t I've got like 3 bibles in my house I don't care its just a book. Don't let the sue-happy d**k heads be the face for everyone. If you think the christians and catholics get it bad the Jewish get it worse and always have. So yea anyway, whatever.



Chi_Chii
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Nanner~Sammich
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commentCommented on: Sat Aug 06, 2005 @ 07:06pm
Nice! It's cool! 3nodding


commentCommented on: Mon Aug 08, 2005 @ 09:39am
that was awesome. i write some poetry but nothing as good as yours.



Hypnotic_Flame
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BlinkyTheRed
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commentCommented on: Mon Aug 08, 2005 @ 11:06am
I don't know a whole lot about poetry so I can't give you like, magical comments about the poem composition or structure-- it seemed well put-together to me. Although I personally am an atheist, I find it really absurd that anybody would be offended by a kid wearing a cross or bringing a bible to school. That's his or her business. I'm not sure why anybody would feel the need to cry to teacher over *seeing a bible*. That's just insane. I however, don't find it necessary for our "pledge of allegiance" to contain mention of god, nor our currency. (Not to mention that the pledge of allegiance should NEVER be something school children recite, what a horrible twisted thing.. like little Nazis, all in a row pledging their life to their country. It's sickening.) But the Christians REALLY don't have it bad. At all. The christian values are still slathered all over the government. They've pretty much been in control, worldwide, since.. uhm.. 300 AD? Or so? I've been in religious private schools since I was a tot, and what atheists supposedly do to christians, christians pay back in full to atheists. Believe me. I have been forced, MANY a time, to pray although I have no faith. Even when I have politely declined their offer and been respectful (quiet with my head bowed respectfully) I have been punished and treated like a monster. I've had plenty of people hold bibles against me and ask if I was burning yet. Don't get me wrong, I'm an atheist to the core, but I think Christianity has a good message at heart. I don't believe Jesus was anything but human, but I do think he was an extraordinary thinker. If only people would actually listen to his teachings instead of stomping around putting an ugly face on the religion with homophobia, racism, and blind patriotism. I think wearing a cross is quite a positive thing. I have nothing against reading the bible-- I've read it and studied it myself, actually, it's an interesting read. Although nobody has the right to restrict symbolic speech (wearing a cross, or anythign else to identify yourself as a christian), nobody has the right to force one system of beliefs onto a nation with no official religion, or even attempt to label our country that way, which is what I believe the usage of "god" in our government does. With freedom of religion, comes freedom FROM religion. I wouldn't compare having to take "god" out of the government to being raped. That's pretty offensive to rape victims. A little trivializing, in my book. This is also a little attacking to atheists, which I think is unfair. It's the same as labeling all christians as homophobic, narrow-minded control-freaks-- it's just not true to the real spirit of christianity. This comment is rather rambilng. Sorry. No offense intended, and no offense taken on my part. I just think a stronger point could be made if it were more in favor of all people, instead of choosing one group of "Good guys" and one group of "bad guys", especially when the choices are considerably unrealistic (due to the current status quo..)


commentCommented on: Tue Aug 09, 2005 @ 05:08am
Blinky, I love you. :whee: But first and foremost I want to say that I wasn't saying all Christians are good, or all athiests are bad, but standing up for myself and my faith where I am right now. I mean, I understand what you were saying about getting the same s**t, but there's a difference between going to a public school and being told you're not allowed to carry a bible, and going to a private religious school and being told you had to pray. The school itself you described was based on religion, so it only makes sense they try to teach (or in some cases force) you to be religious. I'm christian but I don't pray, and I would have gotten the same treatment for it. Private schools shouldn't be compared to public ones. Also, I never was saying that Christians should be in control of the government, I don't think they should, but as I said in another comment I made to a comment, it's one thing keeping religion out of the government and another using that seperation to say I can't believe what I want to believe because it's offending to someone for me to use it as a basis for something. I was taking an issue that has been going on here, where I live and in the schools I go to, not everywhere in the world. And if there is any attacking athiests in the poem, thats because it's ONLY the athiests who are attacking us Christians here and in our schools and being backed up by the adults. And lastly, about your comment "With freedom of religion, comes freedom FROM religion. I wouldn't compare having to take "god" out of the government to being raped. That's pretty offensive to rape victims. A little trivializing, in my book." , I used the word rape just for that reason, becuase you are focusing on the 'modern' taking of the word rape. Rape doesnt just mean being sexually assaulted, but the word itself simply is defined as being FORCED in one way or another or having something TAKEN from you by force. I never once said anything about taking god out of the government though, not once. I was talkin about taking God out of me because it offends someone else.



Gramma Rassie
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commentCommented on: Tue Aug 09, 2005 @ 06:26am
o: Interestin poem, I'm not sure if I lke it or not? I mean.. I'm not sure if it's my sort of poem? The way it's written, not the subject. B but yeah, was for competition and that was the way it was supposed to be, so I guess that works. 3 But it's an interesting subject too. [this is where Ima start blathering, and I'll get lost and might confuse you cause I tend to talk in circles.. >>; if I do, sorry. ^^; ] [not that.. my opinion matters much. >< but ugh. I felt to comment? D <3 ] First off, I'm not an athiest, but I also dont.. really have a religion? Was raised to be christian, but -shrugs- sort of lost my way, I guess you could say. really I just dont know.. and.. I'm laidback[ish] by nature.. so I dont.. care? too much. Truth is, I dont think.. that I should have to have one? Because.. it's not.. [i]that[/i] important? To me anyway.. Might sound stupid, but yeah.. I dont know, I think it's awesome if someone believes, that's cool. And if it helps them in life and stuff, even better. 3 But I dont think it should matter if some people dont really have any, or arent sure. ^^; Newho. I kind of go with the seperation [of church and state is it?] of religion and school.. ness. But not.. where as it should be.. so.. dramatic. I mean, you go to school to learn. Right? And when you're in school, they should teach you about everything. And I mean everything. I think that school should be allowed to talk about religion, but simply in an educational way. But eh, that's what college is for right? They have classes like that I think. >> I think if someone asks about god, or wonders or whatever, that they should be allowed to ask the question/s and be answered whichever way. [I lost myself.. .-. ] Uhm. >>; But yeah. I dont think kids should get punished at all for any of that. Just because they mention jesus, or have a bible.. there's no reason to be punished for it. It's not like they were throwing the words of god into someone's face. [I've had that done to me. ._.; it's.. kinda scary. >< ...lost myself again.. I'm horrible. ><] The Bible is a book, and I've planned to somewhat study it, along with other religions and what not, cause it's all kind of interesting. 3 [maybe simply in a writers sense? or maybe just cause I'm.. gah, I dont know. >< ] I dont see a problem with a kid carrying one around. Not like they were shoving it in someone's face. I think it's all an interesting subject, but can hardly ever be talked about. Because people get offended so easily with it, and they.. I dont know, just blow up it seems. It kind of sucks actually. Cause I mean, what about the people that just wanna know about it? Or they just want to have a pesant talk? >< A thing for me is that I second guess things, and question stuff a lot. So I can't really do the whole.. believing whole heart~idly thing. Believing blindly. But some people do, and that's awesome, if it works for 'em, that's great. 3 But some people arent able to do that. I kinda wonder how some peple can. -shrugs- But actually.. bah, I could ramble on forever. >< And I dun even know you. <3 .-. where was I... I really dont know. ^^ and I've lost track of where I was going with this. Plus I dont want to hurt your eyes too much with all of this. >< So eh. I dont know. >< o But I do really like crosses. They're pretty, specially gothic style. slash, teh gothic style is meant to be beautiful and stuff, so it fits. ^^ But yeah.. I lost track of where I was going with this too.. .-. sorry.. Grah. >< But anywho. you made a thread about being depressed-ish earlier. D I hope you're maybe better now. ^^ okay, I'm done blathering now. >< [wish I could make it smaller text. >< sorry so long.]


commentCommented on: Wed Aug 10, 2005 @ 04:07pm
Well, it's definately a well written poem, no one can argue that (though, I do like a little less frankness, I still loved the words and thought).

However, I belive very strongly that it is nessicary to separate the christian faith from the american government. This doesn't mean a christian should be sensored for speaking mildly about his faith in a public place (such as school). I do think that personel in the school (faculty and admninistration) should keep their personal beliefs at home.

I'm not an athiest, but I definitely don't claim myself as a Christian, either (I like to think of myself as a minorly practicing buddist). In school, I never stood for the flag because it mensions the name of a god that is not my god (and I won't believe you if you try to say that "God" in the pledge refers to any other than the Christian one), but more than that, I won't stand to respect my country because of the line "liberty and justice for all". Just like your poem mensions, there is never liberty and justice for all of us.



Dach Falimo
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DizneyPrincezz
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commentCommented on: Wed Aug 17, 2005 @ 12:05am
Wow that is truley amazing! Just wow! I write myself but I dont know how well i'd do writing one that didnt rhyme so much.Great job!


commentCommented on: Wed Aug 17, 2005 @ 06:12am
Beautiful
heart



[ hide your face ]
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commentCommented on: Wed Aug 17, 2005 @ 10:24am
i liked parts of it , but it was fairly long and the beginning eluded me. But overall i liked it.

(i c** from poll land)


commentCommented on: Wed Aug 17, 2005 @ 10:40am
I know how you feel on the subject. Why are people so afraid of something they don't believe in? Deep down inside do they have some doubt on their own beliefs or lack there of. In any case I found your poem to be a bold statement in waters few are brave enough to wade in much less taking the plunge. Bravo. I applaud your efforts. I think it's Aristotle that said "Fortune favors the bold." Keep writing and well done.



Ichiko Kayouryu
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commentCommented on: Wed Aug 17, 2005 @ 10:51am
Hmm. Not bad. That does sound ridiculous if the person just happened to have a bible and was suspended for that, same with the Happy Birthday Jesus thing. On the other hand, I don't know what the cross situation is talking about, but I don't feel it belongs hanging in a government office (maybe on an employee's personal desk, but not one designed for public view) as it implies that the government favours your religion over others. If there was a wide variety of religious emblems (of different religions) given equal display, sure. I still don't see what they have to do with office, though. I'll be honest, there are some situations where I don't think religious symbolism of any kind are appropriate. This isn't because "ooh, it might offend Athiests". It could be offensive to anyone outside of the particular religion, even make it seem like the establishment has a negative attitude towards others. Some cases in point: a local restaurant that has pretty good food happens to play Christian rock music all day every day. I find it upsetting that they don't even take the time to consider that many of their customers may not agree with it (after all, isn't the point of music in a place of business to please the customers?). While they do a decent business, they never have as many customers as the comparable local restaurants that do not play religious music, and I think it may be a factor. I know I prefer to only get takeout from them because of it. I've also stayed in a motel that had a cross hanging on the wall when I first got in. It made me feel unwelcome. If you have the item for personal use, go for it. I just don't think it's right for establishments that aren't based on religion (places of worship, religious bookstores, etc) to make it seem like they're looking down on customers who do not agree with their beliefs. How would you feel if you were to walk into a place that had symbolism of another religion placed in such a way that seemed as though to discourage you from being there? Sorry for rambling so much, and I think I agree with your general premise. (Here, though, it seems to be mostly Christians attacking everyone else. There was even a time when a family member made up a story claiming I was Wiccan, told other family members, and they were all screaming horribly at me - and I'm not [though I have to admit they have some messed up ideas about people who are. They think Wiccans kill animals!]!)


commentCommented on: Wed Aug 17, 2005 @ 12:04pm
Nice whee



KillerInPink
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Dark_Reaper-X-
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commentCommented on: Wed Aug 17, 2005 @ 04:43pm
this is not long since i am so sleepy but i think it is good poem the subject is blant.


commentCommented on: Thu Aug 18, 2005 @ 02:43am
Omigosh, wow. This is exactly what I've been trying to say to people all along, but you've phrased it so much more eloquently. Many atheists (or even just people who don't feel strongly about religion) see Christians as persecutors and bullies who force their religion on other people, but nowadays the opposite is true. Most Christians will be sitting, minding their own business when some self-assured diehard will light into them for having some personal effect that "offends" them (like you said, a book? A book sitting all by its lonesome should be the least of people's worries). Your faith is a personal opinion, one you may feel strongly about, but nevertheless it is yours alone. I can't see how enforcing atheism as the national religion (not exactly what the government is trying to do, but you can what I'm getting at) is any better than choosing any other religious standpoint.

...I don't even know where I'm headed with all this. It's just a subject I tend to get inflamed over. Lovely poem. In some parts the flow was a little bouncy, but the message, which I think was the important part, was all the stronger for it. Good work.



Spakle
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