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Post by magpie on Sept 6, 2007 18:48:18 GMT -6
The Death of (insert your name here) ism.
Can you be a cult-buster if you’ve got no cult of your own?
If you can’t spin them a better yarn, do they want to be left alone?
So many footsteps on the paths, everyone practicing isms
So many paths within the paths, but once off-track they’re schisms?
No-one believes in anything but Their Own Beliefs Confirmed
Too timid to even make them up, they’re easily sold and burned
By any old story neatly put and a nicely marketed Boss…
“Just give me a nice congregation and somewhere to wear my gold cross.
Give me a text I can toss about, give me a prayer to say
Give me a ritual to boast about, give me a slogan to wave.”
Nobody wants an Unfathomed God, nor a faith that is Undocumented
Nobody laughs at the Emperor’s Clothes lest the Others might think him demented.
Everything’s path if God’s everywhere, there isn’t a place you can tread
Where He isn’t, so why must we stay on some path like God is far off and ahead?
“Catch Him up Later, Read this Book, Learn this Theology”
You can’t have a personal relationship with Someone’s Biography!
But that’s what comes to replace it while you study the new Position
Locating the God that is Everywhere while you carefully kill your own ism.
Hello everyone! Hugs and kisses to David & Sabrina... Can you guys believe I got kicked off the Jehovah's Witness Debate Board on Beliefnet for a month after posting this poem and some other guff??? hee hee hee Got told I was off-topic, rambling and disruptive!!! LOL!!! Thought I'd better come and hang with the poets again - those religious debaters have no sense of humour or fun whatsoever...
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Post by DavidMc on Sept 7, 2007 0:05:42 GMT -6
Completely thrilled to see the magpie has returned to the nest ;D I've always enjoyed your writing, and this one is no exception... both witty and profound  Write on! David |
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Post by glenn on Sept 7, 2007 11:53:13 GMT -6
Hi, Magpie! Great poem! Rambling, off-topic, disruptive posts in a Beliefnet debate forum??? No way!!!!  |
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Post by magpie on Sept 7, 2007 16:49:16 GMT -6
Hello David & Glenn! Thanks for the positive feedback... I think I was a bit too right brained for the debate board's regular patronage...
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Post by anirbas on Sept 7, 2007 19:18:38 GMT -6
Booyah!!!!! Target hit and sunk, commander! You know I abhor rampant religiousity as much as I do rapacious arrogance, soooooo, you know I loved this one, Mags! Grrrrrreat to read your offerings, once more and again. Good to know you're still breathing the same fetid air as the rest of us and really good to see you hanging out at the 'Seasons, again. Hope all is well with you and the fam and that you finished the room you were working on, last time we brushed spirits...Sabrina
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Post by anirbas on Sept 7, 2007 19:20:11 GMT -6
Hi, Magpie! Great poem! Rambling, off-topic, disruptive posts in a Beliefnet debate forum??? No way!!!! ggglggglggglggglroflm*oggglggglggglggglgggl... shut up, Glenn...you're to funny with the last two sentences! |
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Post by magpie on Sept 7, 2007 20:16:52 GMT -6
(((Sabrina))) Yes all is well and I hope the same for you... finished the room and am now in it - good to be hanging out with you again in this great space you and David have made here.
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Post by anirbas on Sept 7, 2007 20:30:36 GMT -6
[blushes and grins, at the comment, "great space you and David have made here",
whispers into Mag's ear, "thank you"]
Good to know, all is well with you...And yes, all is well for me, in Nirland...Better than it's been in a very, very long time...And good to know, the room is finished and now occupied, lady! I remember you were working very hard on that project. I have to go to bed, now...Work comes early in the morning, for me...Sweet dreams and don't let the bedbugs bite!
Nightie night...(((Maggie)))
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Post by glenn on Sept 11, 2007 10:34:24 GMT -6
Speaking of Beliefnet... I have often wondered far the power of Bnet hosts goes. For instance, if I write something but delete it before I click the post button can the host read what I wrote but did not post? Do Bnet hosts have access to the personal information and e-mail addresses of posters? I ask because after one Bnet host quit hosting a debate board shortly after I lodged a complaint about her with Bnet, I discovered a sudden unexplained influx of large amounts of spam into my Bnet e-mail inbox. Could just be coincidence, I guess, but it did seem unusual.  |
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Post by anirbas on Sept 11, 2007 14:00:17 GMT -6
Good question, Glenn and I really don't know...I only know internet sabotage, isn't sacrosanct to any one given site or forum...Hackers and blockheads all over the place feeling as though they have an ax to grind, whether they do or don't...We have even had an issue here, ourselves--and had to put in some failsafes of our own, to protect this forum and it's members,
from what was in my opinion, a disgruntled former member posing as a guest and trying to infect the place and it's other members...If you notice, you can no longer post as a guest here...You must be logged in as a member, so, if one is playing fast and loose with viruses, for instance, they can be tracked back to the instigator...Which was impossible to do, when we allowed "guests" to post, as they might and may...Anyways, everybody, watch your back and have a wonderful day...Running out the door to pick up my girl from school...Sabrina
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Post by glenn on Sept 11, 2007 14:47:08 GMT -6
Thanks for the info, Sabrina.
I have noticed recently that some of the threads I try to read on Bnet send my computer immediately into shutdown mode. I guess that is someone mucking up the thread somehow or other....?
Some of the debate threads seem particularly bad.
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Post by anirbas on Sept 11, 2007 15:43:41 GMT -6
Yeppers, sounds like it to me...Someone has mucked up the thread, somehow or another...But, then again, I'm not a computer wizard, by any means...LOL...
It was Mishie that figured out the repeated message a "guest" kept leaving here, for several weeks, was contaminated...And that if anyone, clicked on any part of it, their computer would be contaminated in so doing...She took the project on for me, as the dear friend that she is...We both figured it had to be a former member, as this person seemed obsessed with mucking up the place, for whatever reasons...Repeatedly leaving messages in cyphers, here and there, in various threads, all over the forum...
You know, Glenn...I used to love Bnet, inspite of it's mudslinging contests, between members on various boards...And I freely admit, at times, I lowered myself into the moshpit, for whatever reasons...In my humble opinion, there were myriad times, certain discussions or threads should have been shut down, when the blood letting flowed in verbal rivers...
I still count it, as a place where, inspite of some, I met a lot of cool people, too...Of which you are one...And it will always be special in my heart, as it's where David and I, met...So, it has sentimental value to me, in that respect...
But, I reached a point, I just couldn't handle all the stinking arguements, debates and backstabbing over there between members...I still think the poetry board had and has some excellent writers, for what that's worth...But, that doesn't mean, I would want all of them, over here, necessarily either...Not because I have an ax to grind with anyone...Just would rather keep the peace, here, for those serious about writing poetry not slinging mud, as the whim or will takes them, through character slamming poeming and comments...
David and I are honored to have those of you, whom did join us here in search of a place,
to just hang out with other poets and share your creative efforts here. We are equally honored to have poets from other sites, that have nothing to do with the Bnet forum,
as far as that goes. Perhaps, we're a bit prejudiced about all of you, [no, we are...LOL]
but, we feel we have one of the best groups of writers to be found in one forum...Each of you is a keeper, ya'll just are...
Okie dokie, rambled enough...So, shutting up...Sabrina
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Post by magpie on Sept 11, 2007 17:29:39 GMT -6
Glenn asked if the BNet Hosts have access to your email address - I can confirm that they do as they sent me as email saying my membership had been suspended for a month. On the same day, i started getting odd email spam which might be coincidental or might not. It didn't occur to me to complain about the host - I didn't think I'd done anything to merit being thrown out and was very surprised.
Beleifnet poetry board was a lot of fun, but I don't think I can be bothered posting on Bnet any more, especially now that I can catch up with all my favorite poets here!
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Post by glenn on Sept 12, 2007 10:25:54 GMT -6
I think as far as Bnet hosts go, some are very good and some don't seem to do much at all. Quite a broad range. And they are all volunteers, as far as I know, so I suppose that range of ability should be expected.
I don't have much experience with internet forums, so I can't really get a very good grasp of where Bnet rates in the overall spectrum of internet forums. I've met some very interesting, intelligent, creative people at Bnet. I've also met some that weren't really my cup of tea. I don't know, maybe that is just the way of it in any forum.
Bnet staff has always been very fair to me whenever I had a concern. Marianne, if you feel you were unjustly treated by a host, it is worth knowing that Bnet staff can overrule anything a host says or does. And I don't know anything for sure about the spam. Could be just coincidence. As far as someone reading my posts before I had posted them...hmmm...I really have stronger suspicions about that. Sort made me feel like I was being spied on by someone lurking in the background.
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Post by Sam on Sept 12, 2007 15:32:41 GMT -6
J.W.s serving spam? What is this world coming too? Sam  |
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Post by magpie on Sept 12, 2007 17:39:19 GMT -6
I couldn't be bothered complaining - I'd already posted enough stuff to make my point and the people in the forum (with the exception of one old monk) basically ignored me anyhow. What's the point of going back? I'm a poet and not really into the 'convert you to my point of veiw' stuff that was going on in there with the regulars. It was a depressing place, to be honest - not anything like the fun this mob is.
(((Sam))) Hope you are well!
Here's the poem I wrote about JW's ages ago (most of you have read it already) and posted there... the old monk liked it but no-one else had anything to say.
The Doctrine Pedlar
HE:
I've Come to sell you God Madam - He's in this Magazine.
I came here on a Bicycle, I'm really very Keen.
SHE:
So you would sell me God would you, well really, aren't you sweet!
Come in for some refreshments dear, and rest your tired feet.
HE:
Just let me park the Bicycle my Church has lent to me;
I'm on it all the time now and it's Really Splendid, see!
SHE:
Oh isn't mankind clever to make such a contraption
That takes one's feet clear off the ground - no circumambulation
Allowed when one has such a thing to carry one around!
You could almost give up thinking with such a bell to sound!
Come in, Religious Caller, do come in and have a cake
And have a glass of water and some conversation make
With a crazy old woman who no longer rides a bike,
And go on, put the pamphlets there between us if you like.
So you would sell me God would you? The Grail as Magazine?
Do sit down on the sofa while I find a glass that's clean.
I know my knowledge of Him is a tiny speck of dust
So are you then a genius to say you have Him sussed?
HE:
I'm Proud to say that I know God much better that my Peers -
All my Church's Publications I've Studied hard for Years!
I can Recite a dozen Prayers (and some of them in Verse)
And with Somebody Elses's Words we once a day Converse.
I know lots of the Old Testament, Especially all the Rules,
And all the Pat Responses for the Unbelieving Fools.
My Church will have a Brochure to say what is Wrong with Yours,
You no longer need a conscience for We'll tell you all your Flaws.
And We can make you Holy with this Weekly Magazine
And Nobody would ever guess the Sinner you have been.
It may sound to you Exclusive, it may sound a little Odd,
But I confirm it Madam, We've the Copyright on God!
SHE:
Well I confess that I'm a fool, I barely know my Lord,
Although I too have read some books that hail from abroad.
I rarely get around to prayer, especially not in rhyme;
We never get the chance because we're talking all the time.
You've memorised Leviticus, I know the Song Of Songs
And you know Him and I know Him and both of us are wrong.
I don't believe your doctrine can confine The Boundless One...
And I'd rather not fellowship with petty quarrel numb -
So here dear, have a cupcake, for a year you'll need not eat,
Because inside that cupcake is a paddockful of wheat!
Here's your glass of water, you can drink it in a minute,
Careful how you hold it for I put an ocean in it!
And do look out this window here and tell me if you see
Like I do when I look through it the entire galaxy?
HE:
You Did say you were Crazy but I thought it was in Jest!
And I've got other Calls to Make, I'll let you have a Rest.
But if you've got any Questions I can bring an Elder and
He'll Explain about my Faith what I don't Understand
He's got a Bike just like mine! He's been Riding it for Years
And places lots of Pamphlets 'cause he's Better at the Gears.
So read those Magazines and I'll bring more in a Fortnight;
If you Subscribe as I do then you'll Probably be alright.
Oh and do you like my New Shoes? They're made of Crocodile!
Goodbye Madam, God Bless you and I'll see you in a While.
SHE:
Oh Witness Lord, the borrowed bike and hear the tinny bell!
Behold the Doctrine Pedlar that would save my soul from hell!
Oh look he's off already when we'd only just begun -
Come help me with the jigsaw then and have a bit of fun!
For You're a jigsaw puzzle that not one of us can solve;
And each one holds the merest piece and thinks he has the whole!
A vast eternal jigsaw with innumerable parts
Surpassing all the Golden Calves you find in human hearts!
Oh who knows You but You alone? Come sit down here with me,
These magazines will fuel the fire and we'll have veal for tea!
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Post by Bronwyn on Sept 13, 2007 0:22:55 GMT -6
Lots of interesting thoughts to read here .... MagpieMarianne, always a delight to read your poems...so fantastic with thought and expression. I'm very glad you're here. Anyone who rejects you should be ashamed. You are the sweetest girl I know...so creative, too. Glad to be here with you and get to read your creations. hugs to all, brat |
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Post by magpie on Sept 13, 2007 19:00:36 GMT -6
Thanks (((Bronnie))) Trying to get back into the swing of writing again... Wish I was diligent like you and wrote regularly. Hope alls well in your world.
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