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Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware

0 posted 2000-10-03 12:56 PM



(Prompted by Balladeer's 'Ponderings')

Raised a Roman Catholic, Jesuit schooled
I knew it all, was not to be fooled
Had all the doctrine, solid in faith
Heaven firm in my sight, loaded with grace

I sinned adolescent, but confession was there
God is forgiving so I didn't care
Transgressions were minor I grew in my schooling
The devils were 'round me but they weren't fooling

Contraception is wrong I knew for a fact
At eighteen was certain I'd not do that act
But I met a man with four lovely girls
He told me they came when he gave rhythm a whirl

Then later I knew that gays lived in sin
If they stay in the closet I'd not venture in
As I grew I said 'so they don't teach my kids'
I matured a little - didn't call the Jews 'yids'

Abortion is wrong - I think I still believe it
But more wrong to tell another to grieve it
If they don't accept my faith as I see it
My faith in forgiveness requires I 'be it'

Divorce is another thing Catholics deny
Now once divorced I look back and sigh
I could have annulled but felt like a hypocrite
Kids I wouldn't deny, and so I had 'done with it'

I still am a Christian - yet explored other beliefs
Reincarnation, Buddhism, and Sikhs other griefs
Found they all hold to just one single rule
In various word one we call 'golden'  is their tool

And so I believe now that God still is all wise
And regardless of which faith we take to the skies
If like the 'deer we try hard to love others
God will love us as we treat men like brothers


~You have to have a dream so you can get up in the morning.

~ Billy Wilder

© Copyright 2000 Wilfred Yeats - All Rights Reserved
inot2B
Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205
Arkansas
1 posted 2000-10-03 01:04 AM


The golden rule is for all. You don't have to be of any particular faith. There are alot
of things I don't approve of but I will not condemn anyone who does not agree with me.
I so enjoyed your poem. Thank you!

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2000-10-03 01:09 AM


Bill--I like the honest way you presented this...and how you came to be who you are, which to my way of thinking is pretty great!


serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

3 posted 2000-10-03 01:12 AM


I like this tail of spiritual growth, Wils, in an odd sort of way, it worked out for you after all, methinks...well done!
Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
4 posted 2000-10-03 01:20 AM


Yes oh yes my friend...God loves a forgiving soul...and to do unto others all the good things in life...well what greater glory can you do?
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
5 posted 2000-10-03 07:10 PM


Bill, this a very honest, sincere and forthright presentation of your thoughts and life. It gets no better than this. My admiration to you.......
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
6 posted 2000-10-03 07:40 PM


Bill,
You revealed so much of yourself in this piece, which was to me a very interesting read. If I would attempt this, it could be complicated. You did it well
Liz

Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
7 posted 2000-10-03 08:21 PM


Inot2b, Martie, Serenity, Paula, 'deer, Li:

Thank you all - and 'deer - thanks for inspiring me to write it!

doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
8 posted 2000-10-13 03:06 PM


quote:
I still am a Christian - yet explored other beliefs
Reincarnation, Buddhism, and Sikhs other griefs
Found they all hold to just one single rule
In various word one we call 'golden'  is their tool


yes yes yes yes YES!! and y'know what? i think they have a lot more in common than that because i truly believe they are all just the only ONE God's way of revealing Himself to different people so they can best understand Him....

this was a great read and it's good to "see" you, Bill... inside the very complete, thinking, and caring person which i have witnessed through your verse.

Thank you.  

Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

9 posted 2000-10-13 04:01 PM


I was raised Catholic also, Irish to boot.
It's a very structured belief system.  I've come to realize that we can't do anything or earn our way into heaven though, I know I sure wouldn't want to try. I just don't deserve it but I depend on His grace.
Good read.


Kathleen


Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
10 posted 2000-10-13 06:04 PM


doreen-
You made me smile - not easy to do lately - thank you  

Irish Rose-
I suspect I know where you 'are' - suspect further I'm much older - I held fast to my catholicity until my late forties (with a jaundiced look at contraception, married priests, female priests and a few other things) My most 'comfortable' (in terms of belief) years were while I was in 'Unity' (not Unitarian) Thank you  

lucky
Senior Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 1601
Idaho
11 posted 2000-10-13 06:21 PM


nice chuckle Bill,

I thought of how close brothers philosophy and belief are... interesting, very interesting. I love God getting credit.

dale

< !signature-->

Writing isn't just something I do... it's something I am...
To write of feelings that touch all hearts
in some manner is my greatest delight... ~"Marge Tindal"~


[This message has been edited by lucky (edited 10-13-2000).]

Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
12 posted 2000-10-13 06:24 PM


Wilfred I was raised an Anglican High Church, that's got all the worse bits from being a catholic, and all the worse bits from being C of E. Confessions for nine year olds is never a good idea. I was a Sally Army sunbeam, I was an alter girl, during my teens taught by nuns. So with all that religion and all those differing veiws I've worked out my own golden rule. That is there is never enough love in the world, and that no good deed ever goes unoticed.
Very well written I really like this.
Great read
Take care
                      Marsha
                        

Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
13 posted 2000-10-13 08:29 PM


Dale -
another (briefer) way to describe my belief
I've used many times: "I try not to let my religeon interfere with my faith". Unquestionable God always comes first  
thanks

Marsha -
I can relate I had 8 years of nun grammer school and 4 years of jesuit HS followed by 3 years of Jesuit college 0 before I transferred to the ostensibly seculer university we called Tel Aviv tech or the temple on the hill where I broadened my education immensly   Thanks

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