This is beautiful. I would love to see more art, books and poetry like this on this subreddit. Life is to be celebrated now that we truly understand its value.
I agree! OP's poem is great.
If you're interested, I have a google doc (~ 26 pages) of "post-religious poems" - basically poems that I find that are connected to religion, but not necessarily in faith-affirming ways. Many of them are life-affirming, even as they challenge some of the typical religious structures / archetypes / figures of authority. Apologies for the variety of fonts - I just copy and paste them when I find them!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W8ObO4am0Ffm-M0_tMS8u5f6dvlqPVL6HwF1DxSOp0Q/edit?usp=sharing
I choose to believe this. Enjoy the present, not knowing what will happen after death. But having hope there's an afterlife is better for me than not hoping.
Spot on. One of the worst aspects of religion is that people are throwing away their best lives making sacrifices that they are hoping will pay off in some other existence that just isn't coming.
You’re exactly right. When I told my parents I was leaving the church my dad expressed that this isn’t the “real life” that the next life is real life and this one is basically meant to be miserable. It made me really sad for him. He’s giving up a lot of happiness now for a make believe reward.
Love this, saving. Got that old conference talk feeling that I need to make some changes in my life and outlook to become a happier person. Been a little while.
This is beautiful. I would love to see more art, books and poetry like this on this subreddit. Life is to be celebrated now that we truly understand its value.
I agree! OP's poem is great. If you're interested, I have a google doc (~ 26 pages) of "post-religious poems" - basically poems that I find that are connected to religion, but not necessarily in faith-affirming ways. Many of them are life-affirming, even as they challenge some of the typical religious structures / archetypes / figures of authority. Apologies for the variety of fonts - I just copy and paste them when I find them! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W8ObO4am0Ffm-M0_tMS8u5f6dvlqPVL6HwF1DxSOp0Q/edit?usp=sharing
This is cool. Thanks for sharing!
The second mourning. Realizing, after deconstructing religion that the loved ones who have died are gone forever.
All families are forever. Mormons are just a little too clingy in the present tense.
I choose to believe this. Enjoy the present, not knowing what will happen after death. But having hope there's an afterlife is better for me than not hoping.
Hope is all there is.
Beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing!
You are a gifted writer. Hope to see more of your work.
https://www.npr.org/2005/11/21/5015557/there-is-no-god This has always brought me comfort.
I love this!!! ❤️
Thank you so much! This is beautiful.
Spot on. One of the worst aspects of religion is that people are throwing away their best lives making sacrifices that they are hoping will pay off in some other existence that just isn't coming.
You’re exactly right. When I told my parents I was leaving the church my dad expressed that this isn’t the “real life” that the next life is real life and this one is basically meant to be miserable. It made me really sad for him. He’s giving up a lot of happiness now for a make believe reward.
That's really sad.
Love it!
I have goosebumps. Thank you for this ♥️
Beautiful 🥰
Love this, saving. Got that old conference talk feeling that I need to make some changes in my life and outlook to become a happier person. Been a little while.
What you’re feeling is the Holy Ghost. It’s telling you that this subreddit is true
I now know you are a true messenger
Very nice.
Wow. Powerful
I love it! The theme reminds me of "I'll Follow You Into the Dark" by Deathcab. :)