Recently a ‘Christian’ proudly told me how they had ordered something on-line
but were accidentally sent two items. Did they return one? No.
Another ‘Christian’ recently argued the case that,
in the recent emissions scandal in the US,
Volkswagen’s only crime was in being found out.
Gaming the system wasn’t wrong as long as everyone did it.
But I’m only an atheist, so what would I know?
I felt it deserved a dance so, please, take your partners in one hand,
your hymn book in the other and join me for
The Sunday Christian Two Step
Give your morals a virtuous glow
Toe heel toe,
Swing them around and then away they go
We only bring them out for show
We just want you to know
We’re the Sunday Christians.
Lying, of the business sort,
Toe heel toe,
Is an acceptable kind of sport,
Only an issue if you’re caught,
We just want you to know
We’re the Sunday Christians.
War's a good thing,
Toe heel toe,
Think of all the trade it will bring
And God’s on our side, so we sing,
We just want you to know
We’re the Sunday Christians.
Theft is really rather good,
Toe heel toe,
Don’t return the things you should,
They make good gifts in the neighbourhood,
We just want you to know
We’re the Sunday Christians.
Forget about the blessed meek,
Toe heel toe,
The church gives us the front we seek,
We take our suit out once a week,
We just want you to know
We’re the Sunday Christians.
.
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© J Cosmo Newbery 2016
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A dance this ignorant atheist has often seen. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteAlas.. and as long as you believe that being rich is God's reward to you on earth this is going to continue.... Maybe more should try to pass the needle's eye.
ReplyDeleteso little to do with Christ but just another label. Interesting dance you made though of it
ReplyDeleteI agree with brudberg.All Christians should try to to pass the needle's eye.Bet you are pleased you are an atheist Cosmo!:)
ReplyDeleteNo, not pleased. Just not capable of being anything else.
DeleteI've always felt that atheists were the ultimate optimists. As in when we're done here, it's lights out...no karmic mess to deal with afterwards. That might be the best case scenario, actually, considering the nature of existence on this level.
ReplyDeleteHa, Tim has a point. I enjoyed this toe heel toe....love we take our suits out once a week.
ReplyDeleteI am stopped here -- trying to respond yet finding it hard to type words.
ReplyDeleteThis is a dance I see every Sunday, in whatever church I'm in (as a church musician, this changes periodically) -- I see the ebb and flow of crowded pews or half empty rows depending on the time of year. I see people donning their Sunday best and people wearing yesterday's rumpled shorts & t-shirt. People of all colors, ages, places. Some come in for the dance but find something more, leave with Hope and lightened hearts. Others scroll their phones, line up for lattes and continue a dance that only happens on Christmas, Easter -- and maybe Ash Wednesday.
Some people think that I, too -- am there only for the dance (my life as a musician being only a "gig", and therefore not "true worship"). Others greet me as a fellow believer, a friend of God, a woman in Christ.
I prefer not to label myself, or them - because whatever I am now (Musician, Friend of God/Woman in Christ, Believer, Jesus Freak, Atheist, Chreaster, Latte-drinker...) is temporary. Whatever I am now could change in the next moment, like a dance changing steps or a piano changing tune.
Your poem is imprinted within me, the dance of my life played out each Sunday like the music of church bells. Thanks for sharing.
Possession is nine tenths of the law but zero tenths of the Commandments.
ReplyDeleteGood point!
DeleteWhen it comes to the crunch (of whatever religion) man reacts naturally - defensive, dishonest, greedy and selfish. Whatever it is, enough fodder for a good dance.
ReplyDeleteHank
Oh man, I've totally become one of those. I didn't used to be, but cynicism and bitterness fester and balloon, and before you know it, you're a complete asshole, just going to church so that your kids can get the exposure and maybe have some nice friends.
ReplyDeleteI'm a happy little Pagan, myself – you know, one of those the Sunday / Old Testament Christians think should not be suffered to live.
ReplyDeleteChristians are still humans, Tim. The hypocrites you describe stand out like the proverbial sore thumb. We are supposed to be practicing for Heaven here on earth. In Heaven we will be serving God.
ReplyDelete..
This one speaks to me. And for some reason the Sunday god is only bothered by homosexuality, not be usury and everyone wants freedom of religion, but only for their particular brand. Ok, stepping away from the keyboard now, before lightening strikes me.
ReplyDeleteOh, those Sunday Christians. I once danced the church aisles. The stripes of judgment drove me away.
ReplyDelete:) I'd like to hear you sing this, perhaps with a banjo and a square-dance caller
ReplyDelete