The Blissful Climax of Religion
Throughout the countryside of Britain
Spires penetrate heaven
Like archaic ICBMs of the past faithful.
The members of God
Stabbing into the skies,
Once symbols of the fertility of faith,
Impregnating minds
With seeds of fear,
Now impotent and drooping
In decay,
Devoid of power,
No longer spouting
From their inner fonts
That christened many a virgin.
The bishop’s staffs
Are grounded wands
Devoid of power,
Waving through the motions
Of birth, marriage and death,
Without belief,
With no libido
To erect
An entry into heaven.
For it is the neon lights
Of the retail outlets
That now seduce
And bring their acolytes
To blissful climax.
Opher 17.9.2016
The Blissful Climax of Religion
No – it is OK. I haven’t gone mad. I am not having a road to Damascus conversion. I have not suffered a delusion. I have not turned religious. My antitheist credentials are still intact. I still believe all religion is constructed by men and it is all about power and control.
I wrote this poem because I was struck by all the ancient church spires sticking up into the sky. I saw the sexual symbolism and the power they exhibited.
Those churches once ruled over everyone around. Religion was compulsory. There was no escape. Terrible wars, crusades and witch-hunts were carried out in its name, but for me the worst aspect was the fear-driven control of the populace. They had to adhere to strict codes on dress, food and daily life, including compulsory worship.
Fortunately we have had an enlightenment. People are free of that terrible yoke. Now we are free to decide whether we want to believe or not. Most choose not to believe. The churches are empty and merely historical buildings of splendour and beauty. The power and control has gone.
There are still those who would wish it otherwise, who would wish to impose their beliefs on others, indoctrinate the children, enforce strict laws and return us to the Dark Ages of superstition and enforcement. Watching the antics of preachers in the US South and Muslims all over the world sends chills through me. Theirs is not a faith of tolerance but a superstition of fundamental control and power.
I oppose it with every ounce of strength. Give me spirituality, harmony, tolerance and peace any day.
I enjoyed playing with the sexual imagery though. I think sex is tightly bound up to religion.