Spiritology

Wow!
So many avenues i could go (in between the lines) within this spill
but for civility sake. . .

Super spill, Sister

Oh feel free. The truth is always welcome on my pages, brother.

My friend Rola and i always say that, dead, dying, ones most vulnerable moments, captured and turned into a fashion statement.

Well done.

Thank you, Nikki.  xo

My husband will so dig this! (I'll have to share!💖)

He feels exactly the same... passionately. I feel similarly, btw. It's just a massive point of commonality, there.✌️ 😎✌️😎

Awesome sauce; glad to hear it! 💖

Powerful. Some early Christians indeed preferred to show Christ as the Good Shepherd carrying a lost lamb on his shoulders.

This is true, Lozzamus.  I can't see Jesus, as humble in human form as he was, going about all "Holy-like" with a halo glowing over his head.  He was down-to-earth get-your-hands-dirty with work and fellowship of the truth.

I always loved the one of him with the children, myself.

Yeah, I made up a song about that once, just for fun but also to make a point not to take religion so seriously. It's sung to the tune of He's Got The Whole World...
: "Jesus loves all the little children (x4), Jesus loves all the lovely children (x4), Jesus loves all the naughty children (x4)"  
My favourite verse, of course, is the last one.

Hahahaha! It's true though!  If you have it recorded somewhere post it here; would love to have a listen.

You just couldn't resist tacking on another line?

Nobody wants to see Jesus having a good time. He's either supposed to be posing hottie handsomely for the camera or being tortured and left to die - there is no room left at the inn between here for flexibility.

And I see what you did there with the word "profitable" ...

Excellent writing with just enough sarcastic wit to solicit a grin from Stevie herself.

What can I say?! Something was missing! I tried to refrain, but it wouldn't let me.  

Nope! Jesus is too serious for a good time.

Glad you got the profitable intent!  Not sure it really stacks up to Stevie, but in reference to the essence of men's misinterpretations, and taking things out of context, yeah.

Thank you! :D

Its like a placebo...if you think it works, it shall indeed...good write. Makes you think about "ornamental" things in life....<3 love you

Zactly! For so a man thinks . . .

Love you too! ❤💋

Dear A,

Lovely write. Has me conjuring up a storm from past imprisonment of catechism classes 😱. Or, my grandmother’s dining room.

I was interested in your stanza’s “I imagined an energy shift          
from a guilt-ridden reminder          
of suffering death for our mistakes. . .        
         
to acceptance as we were instead—      
an image of Jesus, laughing          
with tax collectors and sinners;”
A very powerful image for me as I grew older and shed the restrictions of a myopic viewpoint from church teachings that I could only be forgiven if I confessed to sins I didn’t really committ (being mean to my siblings for lack of anything else to say in the confessional) and reciting 5 Hail Mary’s as penance- to that of a regular man chosen to forgive if the sinner wanted forgiveness and acceptance for just being who you are- no pretense. You captured that thought for me especially with  
“to acceptance as we were instead—” brava! It’s really as simple as that. It does seem the Church and society have made a fortune on the crucifixion and that’s ashame. Meanwhile,  I’ve got to get going with reading all about Stevie Smith. A Wonderful write! H🌷

LOL @ your grandmother's dining room, Honoria. My grandmother was the same way, always judging us for what we had on, or did, etc. I loved her and understood she lived in fear, and I really hated that for her, because she died in fear too.  

Christianity is a beautiful concept when followed in Love. But, it can be a damming prospect if viewed from fear.  I am glad many outgrow it and discover the truth of Jesus and Love on their own, as the truth is in everyone—not "out there" somewhere.

As far as monetary gain, I read somewhere just this week that if you want to add an extra 71 billion to the economy, then tax the churches.  God knows the majority of pastors, particularly of mega churches, reap the profits much more than the poor.

Thank you for sharing. XO

Great write 👍
I’ve always felt religion is someone else’s idea of god, a reflection of the light rather than the full glory of the sun.  

I do like the way early Christians identify and celebrate their faith, with hidden meanings in art or cleaver word play but I suppose like most things, when they become mainstream they lose what they were

😀

Well, any interpretation by man would have to be, monkeyman.  I agree with you on that one.  I think each person adds something of themselves in translation, which eventually waters it down along the line.  Or, they deliberately replace vs translate to enforce their own beliefs, i.e. - Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live ( which most likely refers to poisoners rather than witches ).  But, men. . .  

I love the reference of hidden meanings as language. Would make a great poem indeed.  I bet you loved the Davinci Code! I did for that very reason!

Thank you for your comment.

The book yes couldn’t put it down the film not so much

Sigh. Films are always tricky, aren't they?  Very few measure up to the book.

True true I suppose it’s similar to religion, it’s someone else’s interpretation and they add to or change bits to suit

Snap!

You have nailed the difference between  religion and spirituality. Religion is a collection of man made symbols and rituals while spirituality focuses on how to live a deeper, more meaningful life through love and forgiveness. A beautiful and meaningful write.

pax,
buddhakitty.

I'm glad you caught that, Kitts.  I completely agree that the majority of churches capitalize on Jesus' death via guilt and fear of hell.  I do know  a few that focus on Love and forgiveness.

Thank you. xo

Quite inspiring even for this non believer

A comment any poet wants to hear, Slip. Thank you. xo

When we keep Jesus on the cross, boil His entire life down to the violence and sacrifice and then the resurrection three days later, we get to overlook the rest of His ministry on earth. it is easy to control people through fear and violence. it is not easy to control people who are convinced that Jesus wanted them to be happy and fulfilled. it's easy to tell people 'blessed are the poor' from your high pulpit and make them feel guilt for wanting a nice life. anyway....i'll stop with my ranting.

in the spirit of honest critique:
-in the second stanza, i wonder if the word wretched might be used instead of wrenched. wretched is such a 'christianese' word and it's used so much to describe sinners. it might be interesting to put it up there to describe Christ. i'm also not sure about the word 'rest' at the end. it's not a word i would use to describe the look on His face.
-maybe i'm not getting the full intent behind tacking on 'that is' at the very end. i feel it might be stronger to leave that off.

i really do think this is a brilliant write. an indictment on American Christianity. well done, friend.

Totally agree with the philosophy, Daisy!  

LOVE the honest critique here. I used wrenched to convey a distortion of his face; however, I do like the suggestion of wretched.  I'm trying to get past it being attributed to HIM actually being wretched.  

Rest is attributed to those crucifixes that have him already dead, looking down in eternal rest; however, I see your point. I mean who could honestly appear at rest hanging on a cross covered in blood? I'll revisit that as well.  

Thank you for the affirmation and generous comment! Much appreciated, my friend!

It does seem like the crucifiction image is a guilt and fear inducer that probably coaxed people into paying their taxes or else.  It does seem also like an afterthought in many churches, almost a sideshow that is placed off center (it was in my episcopal church).  Its almost a work of art of sorts.  Stevie Smith had a practicality about Christ, he was just like a poet, he wanted to be heard at any cost as the last line in the airy christ refers to that passion, yet she seems to be subtly suggesting her love of Christ also. Nice entry :)

Thank you, PR.  I was confirmed in an Episcopalian Church; I did  love the regalia and reverence of the worship.  Our church didn't have the crucifixion image in the sanctuary; however, it did have a cross on the altar.   I didn't mind those services because they were based on love not fear nor guilt.

But somehow it seemed to feel constricted after a few years.  

I agree about The Airy Christ.  She had a way of poeting in code, almost like the parables of Jesus - those who hear will hear; those who understand will understand. . .and so forth.

Thank you for the nice comment. xo

To me the socializing and the suffering of Jesus were two expressions of the same desire - that of God to be close enough to man to share in his joys and sufferings, but his death was the breakthrough. Crucifixion would have been anything but a restful experience (and of course he didn't go to Heaven then), but in religious art that has often been sanitized out.

I think the puritans (nonconformists in our parlance) had a point leaving crucifixes (or as someone simply described them, 'crosses with little men on them') out of their churches. There are many Christians today (usually from that tradition) who believe Christ died for us but would be horrified to see crucifixes everywhere that seem to rub in 'Jesus is dead'.  I confess myself an 'empty cross, empty tomb' man.

Thank you, Solomon, for sharing your thoughts and beliefs.  It's true the suffering has been sanitized in some depictions.  This is one I was referring to when I said rest:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifixion_of_Jesus

Enlarge the top and you'll see how he looks ( peaceful and at rest ).  In thinking about Daisy's comment regarding the word rest; many crucifixes are actually modeled like this ( which I always found strange ).

I think keeping Jesus on the cross, particularly enlarged behind a church altar, looming over the congregation sends a very outdated message of suffering which produces guilt.  And I completely agree the Spirit is most likely horrified; however, knows us better than we know ourselves. . .particularly when it comes to greed.

Thank you again, much appreciated.

Very insightful. I used to wonder that too, in fact when I was little I didn't understand why he was depicted in the cross like that. Growing up Catholic you're given that guilt as a reminder. I used get creeped out by all the statues during mass, the church used to have this certain air about it, it had an echo that felt distant.

About some thirty years later I went to an Easter mass for the first time (I had been Baptist, Foursquare and other denominations for a while), and mass completely different. The atmosphere felt more welcoming, the ambiance of the church had changed.

I like to think of Jesus as a man shedding light on others, spreading love and kindness. I'd like to think he also had a sense of humor, hanging out with his squad, doing good things for others. All these depictions artists have had over the centuries add to that guilt.  I mean who really walks around with palms open?

Then again, I still haven't thought about my pose for my formal portrait if I'm to be discovered a century later.

Beautiful write.

Thank you, Wally. Much appreciated, truly.

Thank you also for sharing your story.  I really enjoyed it.  

awe ...touching piece in a voice so hitting hard in a modernistic commercialisec language of the worldly world... but b yes. the acceptance~ sacrifice ~ truth... never ever gets a hit amidst all the worldly trading ways & hi volt dramatics. 'profitable' ah a killer hit . saluting the spirit of what this poetic kinetics in all indelible  truth stands for.. light & love ev A xo

I absolutely love you, my friend.  You are so pure and refreshing—a true light to DU members to bask in. I am honored to be considered your friend!

your intelligence and talent shine here

Thank you for that, Jennifer!  I truly appreciate it and am glad to see you back!

I like the idea that a person dies for his own mistakes. What about Jesus, whose mistakes did He die for? He died for those He remitted their sins. I also like the idea of putting yourself in His place.

Thank you, JZ.  

I don't believe we make any mistakes in the context that our language defines. I believe we experience the contrast of what we do not desire to repeat or become through choice.  Acknowledging the action of choice, and accepting responsibility for that action is paramount to Spiritual growth.

Thank you again for your comment.  

Religion is about faith... acceptance in the absence of proof. Is it just a device to give us the feeling that our fear of death is unfounded because there is another life. Great write!