my dogma

[anirbas]

dusk settles
a purple cloak
across a horizon
of nursery shades
mottled in pale blues
and delicate pinks

night bird sings
last sliver of sun
slips out of sight
a mourning dove coos
tree frog chirrups
I breathe a sigh

grateful for peace
and peace of mind
that does not require
I bend the knee in prayer
make a sacrifice of objects
or burn scraps of paper

reality is my shield
facts are my dogma
science is my staff
belief in myself
and the ability
of humans to right
themselves my creed

~Anirbas aka Sabrina.

[anirbas]

some find my lack
of a belief system
alarming and heretical
I think it's magical
I can make a rabbi
a preacher and a mullah
react in the same manner
finally on the same page
by stating four simple words

I am an atheist

watch as all three stoop
to gather rocks to stone
me with- three minds
with a single intent
to murder me quickly
for being a realist

I cannot deny my identity

some postulate to my face
my physical affliction
is due to my lack
of religious direction
perhaps I need to be baptized
others ask if I exercise

But, I am the one without grace?

call me heathen call me pagan
call me the bad seed and the spawn
of your creative device Satan
I don't give one eternal damn
these verbal sticks and stones
are meaningless to this woman

~Anirbas aka Sabrina

[anirbas]

David McC disagrees with me. He says a rabbi wouldn't throw a stone at an atheist. Giggling so hard, right now.

[anirbas]

I still read aloud much of what I am inspired to write to the old man aka the chosen one aka spouse aka companion aka best friend aka David McC.
He is my go to sounding board for anything I feel unsure about that I've written. His ear is well attuned to the spheres of the universe.
Or some such rot and polyglot. Hahaha.

Sadly, for all of us, he doesn't write much poetry or short stories, these days.

But, he has grown into an insightful political satirist with 1,500 followers plus on the social platform known as Twitter.
Check him out. He's still got the wordsmith fire! David McC can be found there under this moniker: dmcc1957

[heartfelt7]

Maybe we're supposed to find our own beliefs and ignore the fear peddling that is so rampant in religion.

[moseley]

dogma is so hard to feed, difficult to pet and always shits on the front door stoop

[darkness0within]

Couldn't agree more Moseley.

Religion is more a state of mind I feel. Personally, I have no need of it. Certainly in the context of needing to belong to something. But for many it brings them something they were looking for. So it has worth to society. But it does have its dark side.

Very nicely penned anirbas.

[phantasm]

Our religion isn't what teaches us morality; it's our sense of morality that shapes our religion.

Or, at least, it's a two-way street: one can influence the other.

People are only as good as the intellectual framework their minds work within.

Our theories are only as good as the minds that produce those theories.

[anirbas]

~Nothing but Myself

Everyday my path is crossed by human copies
of others like yourself. Crying we are the minority!
Christianity is under attack in this country.
Yet, the voting statistics tell the true story.
You are the "moral" majority. You are not a victim-
you are instead the bully. My way or the highway to hell
is all I ever hear escape your Jesus loving lips.

Your cult invented burning witches,
inquisitions and beheading of heretics-
all the while claiming your god
is benevolent and loving-
if only you will follow him
Intoning believe as we do
or suffer the fires of living hell.

You speak of murdering women
for claiming dominion over
their own bodies. You vow
to rid the land of fags
and dykes and all manner
of beings if they be dragging

All of my life I've been watching you.
First as a child in my parents house.
Then, as an adult experimenting,
reading and making my own decisions
concerning this thorn riddled word, religion.

Then, I made the choice, to believe in nothing, but myself.

~Anirbas aka Sabrina

[anirbas]

~Myself and the Universe

Religion shoved into my head
in the same manner I was force fed
food I was too full to eat as a child

Dragged to church to be told
a male is the head of the household
and above your voice in all regards

And when I questioned why must I read this Bible?
Why must I keep eating when inside my tummy is bursting?
Your answer was the same to either query, because I said so.

Till my small body grew round and rounder still
My questioning mind grew bitter and rebellious
itching to throw off your heinous yoke

Now I'm a full grown blooming crone
with a lifelong yo-yo-ing weight problem
Defining myself not as a Christian
But, as an out of the religious closet atheist

At peace with myself and the universe

~Anirbas aka Sabrina.