deepundergroundpoetry.com
What Do I Believe In
"Do you believe in God," I was asked.
It's a complicated issue.
The easy answer is I'm an agnostic. But that's so vague. It doesn't tell what I do believe in.
I believe in possibilities. While it's possible that God exists, it's also possible he doesn't.
In the movie version of 'Angels and Demons', Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) says, "Faith is a gift I've yet to receive." It's the best way I've found to describe it.
Einstein is credited with saying, "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is."
Whether he said it or not the sentiment is sound
It's not that I don't want to believe. I want to believe that there is an afterlife, but I can't say I do. I want to believe there is someone who watches over us, but I can't say I do. If I said I do, I'd be lying to God if he exists
I don't hate God. You have to believe in something to hate it. I don't hate religion or the church. I don't hate followers. I respect them. I'd be with them if I could
I will say the willingness to accept as faith, that which you can't prove, allows con-men to control them, some church leaders, some failed politicians.
But I believe their heart is in the right place
Still, what do I believe in?
I believe in good and evil, right and wrong.
I believe that we should leave this world better than we found it
I believe in respecting our elders
Though in the last few years I find there are fewer and fewer of them
I believe in equality
I believe in tolerence
I believe in our Constitution
I believe in democracy
I believe in freedom
I believe that bullying to get your way is wrong
I believe that people should reap what they sow
I believe in laughter
I believe in beauty
Not of the body, but of the soul
I believe in enjoying what the world has given us
Or that God has given us, if he exists
I believe in Love
So, do I believe in God? Well, no. Do I believe in God's teachings?
Yes
It's a complicated issue.
The easy answer is I'm an agnostic. But that's so vague. It doesn't tell what I do believe in.
I believe in possibilities. While it's possible that God exists, it's also possible he doesn't.
In the movie version of 'Angels and Demons', Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) says, "Faith is a gift I've yet to receive." It's the best way I've found to describe it.
Einstein is credited with saying, "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is."
Whether he said it or not the sentiment is sound
It's not that I don't want to believe. I want to believe that there is an afterlife, but I can't say I do. I want to believe there is someone who watches over us, but I can't say I do. If I said I do, I'd be lying to God if he exists
I don't hate God. You have to believe in something to hate it. I don't hate religion or the church. I don't hate followers. I respect them. I'd be with them if I could
I will say the willingness to accept as faith, that which you can't prove, allows con-men to control them, some church leaders, some failed politicians.
But I believe their heart is in the right place
Still, what do I believe in?
I believe in good and evil, right and wrong.
I believe that we should leave this world better than we found it
I believe in respecting our elders
Though in the last few years I find there are fewer and fewer of them
I believe in equality
I believe in tolerence
I believe in our Constitution
I believe in democracy
I believe in freedom
I believe that bullying to get your way is wrong
I believe that people should reap what they sow
I believe in laughter
I believe in beauty
Not of the body, but of the soul
I believe in enjoying what the world has given us
Or that God has given us, if he exists
I believe in Love
So, do I believe in God? Well, no. Do I believe in God's teachings?
Yes
Published 24th Jan 2021
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24th Jan 2021 7:10am
There’s some magnificent logic on display here. I myself am animistic, in that I do believe in a definition of God, but believe it is the spirit found in every living thing. There’s not really a definition to that, purely the expression of endless possibilities as you mentioned in your piece here.
This piece was intelligent and well thought out. I thought it was very eloquent in its case.
Thank you for sharing.
-M
This piece was intelligent and well thought out. I thought it was very eloquent in its case.
Thank you for sharing.
-M
26th Jan 2021 9:02am
I've been trying for years to find the best way to say it. This is the best way I could come up with. I'm glad you liked it.
Anonymous
2nd Feb 2021 11:34am
Good morning Tim,
I read your poem twice through and I am thoroughly struck by it. I usually call myself an atheist or agnostic (depending on who's asking... at times) just because it always seemed easier and less messy to say that, quickly than what was my actual reality.
You, opting to deeply explain your inner self's motivations, indefatigable beliefs, intelligent, and thoughtful reasonings as to how you came to your own personal conclusions of God and religion is brave and welcoming. It's THAT careful thoughtfulness, I wish more folks would have the decency to lead their lives having. I am in alignment with you in most of your descriptors here... I also deeply believe in karma. To me, the universe and human beings are made of (in small part) energy. So, it makes sense, in my mind, that what type of energy you put out into the universe, is what you'll ultimately receive in return. Perhaps that's just leftover forced Catholicism (lol) do unto others and what not... but it's also how I choose to live my life, daily.
This piece of yours was a little bit of brilliance, this morning. I'm so glad I stumbled upon it.
Ty for sharing, Tim
Much love and happy days ahead,
🌹
xo
B
I read your poem twice through and I am thoroughly struck by it. I usually call myself an atheist or agnostic (depending on who's asking... at times) just because it always seemed easier and less messy to say that, quickly than what was my actual reality.
You, opting to deeply explain your inner self's motivations, indefatigable beliefs, intelligent, and thoughtful reasonings as to how you came to your own personal conclusions of God and religion is brave and welcoming. It's THAT careful thoughtfulness, I wish more folks would have the decency to lead their lives having. I am in alignment with you in most of your descriptors here... I also deeply believe in karma. To me, the universe and human beings are made of (in small part) energy. So, it makes sense, in my mind, that what type of energy you put out into the universe, is what you'll ultimately receive in return. Perhaps that's just leftover forced Catholicism (lol) do unto others and what not... but it's also how I choose to live my life, daily.
This piece of yours was a little bit of brilliance, this morning. I'm so glad I stumbled upon it.
Ty for sharing, Tim
Much love and happy days ahead,
🌹
xo
B
8th Feb 2021 5:12am
Thanks. I just always feel like I'm copping out when I just say I'm an atheist. It doesn't tell anyone what I actually believe in. I agree with Karma, but think I covered that with 'you reap what you sow'. The one thing I've realized is that each religion teaches us how to live in communities with each other, and that's a good thing. I wish more people would realize that and follow those teachings.
8th Feb 2021 2:47pm
You said everything I think
You took the time to do it too
I dig your style and capacity Tim
Like
You took the time to do it too
I dig your style and capacity Tim
Like
8th Feb 2021 2:51pm
