Condemn or Canonize?
A poem about religion and the nature of subjectivity. Written March 4 2009. Featured in Core [C.O.R.E] and Poetry and Beautiful Women.
Condemn or Canonize? belongs to the following groups:
"Poetry and Beautiful Women" , All Out Emotion, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Childhood, Core [C.O.R.E], Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Freedom In Words & Art, Light In The Darkness, Masterpieces: Literary Workshop, On Youth and Up & Coming WritersEvery saint’s a sinner
And every disciple damned
Every man a deity
And every god, a man
One man’s freedom fighter
Is another’s terrorist
Meat and poison
All the same
The guilty are pure white
As Virtue
While the innocent
Take the blame
Every believer is an atheist
To every other faith
All those condemned are blameless
In another’s place
And so it goes
Two sides opposed
Subjectivity’s laws abide:
What canonizes one man
May condemn another to die
butchart
so true…. so beautifully put…......... great writing…... some timeless thinking…............b
Jordan Busson replied
Thanks, Butch. I truly appreciate your kind words.
Ann Palframan
Food for thought here… You have, in my view, summed up so many sad truths regarding the nature of religion in this hard-hitting piece of verse. Wow! Great stuff:))
Jordan Busson replied
Ann, thank you. There are certainly many sad truths, and I fear I have only touched upon a few here. That’s the thing about subjectivity: if you believe you are right, then you are right, regardless of the actual truth of the matter. I can’t even begin to comprehend how many people have been persecuted or blamed for imaginary crimes since the dawn of man. I suppose it’s just a case of “being in the wrong faith at the wrong time”.
Erika .
A powerful poem. This definitely and clearly describes the contradiction of religion, and the effects it has, which is either condemning or killing people they think are wrong. This reminds me of the Inquisition. Or like how Joan of Arc who was labeled a heretic by the church and then a few hundred years later was canonized…..talk about contradiction!
Jordan Busson replied
Exactly, Erika. I must say, that’s a perfect example, and all too ironic. Or Galileo, who the church just recently “forgave” for stating the earth went around the sun, and not the other way round. An official pardon may be great for the record, but it doesn’t change the past.
Ushna Sardar
Excellent Elucidate! xo
Jordan Busson replied
Thank you so much, Ushna! Another [C.O.R.E] feature: I’m honoured.
silverstrummer...
Wonderful writing so strong, such a lot said in so little a verse. Congratulations too on your feature … well deserved! – David :>))
Jordan Busson replied
Thank you for your kind words, David, and for your congratulations. Much appreciated.
retepk
Well said.
Cheers.
Jordan Busson replied
Thank you, your words are appreciated.
Matt Penfold
Well you really are on song, this is a great piece of writing on a subject on which we both agree. Fine work indeed Mr Elucidate.
Jordan Busson replied
Thanks, Matt. I appreciate this comment all the more that it from a writer such as you.
cathrinedp
Wonderful piece with so many home truths. Great great creation
Jordan Busson replied
Thank you, Cathrine. Your words are always appreciated.
Shoaib .
thank you,
this was awesome
Jordan Busson replied
Thanks for the feature!
Jordan Busson
Jordan Busson replied
Ta-daa!
colorblind
What canonizes one man
May condemn another to die
nice ending …loving this poem
real nice
Jordan Busson replied
Thanks, Colorblind. Glad you like it.
BruceMeyer
Thanks for telling me about your writing. Everything I see is really sensitive. This one seems like a very real cry from the heart. When people do really hurtful things, we don’t want to say, “that’s just their personal thing.” But that’s not what you seem to be talking about. I think you’re talking about good people and good hearts being misjudged.
Jordan Busson replied
Exactly. You’ve seen through to the true meaning of this, Bruce. It’s something that happens too often, the condemning of the innocent.