The Vitality of Religion

Over the past few days, I have again experienced a confrontation that had the subject of religious importance. What I simply cannot understand is the logic in living with religious elitism. Is there any possible way to substantiate one's intellectual or spiritual superiority to one who does not restrict their entire life to a particular path of faith? I have been an audience to the The Bible, The Torah, and plan to read The Holy Quran when the right time comes. Furthermore, how is it possible to label me a blasphemer because of my beliefs that I have never made truly clear to another because I am searching for a definitive and concrete conclusion of my own? What I find particularly amusing about these accusations is that the source is one which has no knowledge of any religion other than it's own, claiming it's superiority over the others. I've always wondered, how is it possible to claim superiority over any other of a principle faith when no dominant religion teaches such things? When things arrive to this propensity, there is nothing more than misconception and arrogant dogmatism clouding one's judgement from the reality of a religious faith.

This is why we see such violence "in the name of God" all around the world. In no way does any genuine religious doctrine teach the use of violence in God's name. That is contradiction at it's best. Unfortunately, the actions of such extremists lead to stereotyping of entire cultures and faiths. The persecution and exclusion of Muslims in many factions of American citizenship has been the result of these occurences. To my dismay, I have even seen such ignorance from my family. Once informed of my intention to study the Quran, many looked upon me with shock and discontent as if I had betrayed our way of life. Although I do not deem this totally upon their fault, I do believe they have (in a single way) become figurative puppets of society, not being intellectually inclined or strong enough to rebel against the ignorance and misinformance of the masses. While I do not mean to disrespect my family, I must speak what I think is true.

Never have I meant to disrespect the vitality or principles of a religious faith, but I see what I see. My interpretation of religious principles and doctrines is all I have. It's what I choose to believe, and I think I am trying to make that choice very thoroughly using all the time and information I need before making a conclusion. If you wish to label me a heretic to the church, by all means do so. Subjectively, there is no problem with rebelling against what I don't believe as long as it is done respectfully using no arrogance or altruistic fallacies to argue against the beliefs of a religious faith. The final question I must ask is, why does society continually negatively label or conclude the thoughts of any mind that lives in anti-traditionalism or unconventionalism? Someone must always question and investigate. If no one did, there would be no motive for improvement or intellectual pioneering.

(This was written quickly, and under some influence of anger. I apologize for any offense that I make although I do not believe that I have done so to anyone.)

Everlasting Doom

Together they're waiting
Observing the typical gloom
Awaiting significance
Watching society paint the same room
Continuous restriction
It permeates the air
And pins the one lying there
In everlasting doom

Living in the shadow
Perception allows no light
Fallacies protect shortcomings
Dogmatism belies
Going through the motions
Everything is the same
Monotony becomes dire shame
In everlasting doom


(Used verse and methodology from Scared of the Moon by Michael Jackson)

By,

Ian Brown

Scared of the Moon (Not my work)

Alone she lays waiting
Surrounded by gloom
Invaded by shadows
Painting the room
The light from the window
Cuts through the air
And pins the child lying there
Scared of the moon

She pulls up the covers
And shivers in fright
She hides from the colour
That rides on the night
The light through the window
That lights up the sky
And causes her moanful cry
Scared of the moon

There’s nothing wrong
Don’t be bothered they said
It’s just childish fantasies turning your head
No need to worry It’s really too soon
But there she lies shivering
Scared of the moon


The years go by swiftly
And soon childhood ends
But life is still fearful
When evening descends
The fear of the child Still intrude the night
Returning on beams of light
Scared of the moon

The feeling of terror
She felt as a youth
Has turned from a fantasy Into a truth
The moon is the enemy
Twisting her soul
And taking its fearful toll
Scared of the moon
But now there are others who sit here alone
And wait for the sunlight to brighten their gloom
Together they gather
Their lunacy shared But knowing just why they’re scared

Scared of the moon

By,

Michael Jackson

The Joker's theory vs. Society's theory

As I watched The Dark Knight last night, I began to develop a deeper understanding of his purpose. The Joker is a physical manifestation of rebellion against the customs and restrictions of society. From his (and my own) perspective, society never allows true psychological freedom. He is the most audacious, selfish, and insane of anti-traditionalists using makeup, theatrics, and violence to substantiate and develop fear in his cause. Batman of course is his total opposite, an elemental organism protecting the ideals and perceptions of society's masses hence his moniker: The Dark Knight.

"The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules" (The Joker). The Joker is attempting to convey his logic. Society's ongoing cycle of rigid tradition and desensitization oppresses the ambitions of all human beings, forcing them into a life that was not meant for them. In a way, society brings the vitality of life to inadequacy. On the other side, we have Batman who protects that tradition, protects civilization, and the interests of society. Now I must ask you, The Joker's violent and sinister antics withstanding, is his premise totally wrong? Personally, it is not. However, his primitive handling of the situation could not be tolerated. He chose death and destruction to gain power. Batman continuously fought against his rage. Is Batman protecting society's physical life, or their ideologies and idiosyncrasies as well? Is he correct in doing so? Of course, his valiance saves many as it should. Society's physical life deserves protecting, but does it's perception and ideology deserve the same?

Individual Reality's Absence

Individual Reality's Absence

He sits alone daily, thinking of what way to approach that girl of divine beauty; gazing with such rhapsody. His studies go second as priority; his convoluted instinct invades his mind. After finding the perfect method, he approaches her, asking to accompany her home. When confronted with the temptation of first sex, she goes forth with no thought of repercussion or self-worth. At 17 years of age, ignorant to the virtues of her very being, she chooses animalistic lust over love and intimacy: throwing herself to his bed in the infamous order of action before thought, that sense of individual reality totally absent.

Nine months later, birth is given to a baby boy. The prospect of fatherhood chases the older "boy" away, knowing he was unready. However, she, left with the responsibilities of motherhood has no escape; condemned to face the reality of what she is unready and uncapable, and two lives are forever scorned. What can we know? What are we all? Poor silly half-brained things with the aspirations of angels, and the instincts of beasts? Can we not control that virtual balance? Does instinct overbear intellect? Yearning the incommensurate, bodily lusts taking over mind. All knowledge of the sublime taken away; humans, rendered inhumane.

My Poetry

Failed Recompense

I was wondering through the rain,

Tribulations of mind and body,

Driving me insane,

Incommensurate vitality; failed self-repair,

Wondering of the imminent despair,

Paralleling my mind with diffidence,

Perhaps, I thought I could recompense the evil deeds,

Yet all that was in store was a life of sequestration.

Nothing

Darkness falls, seamlessly, with dare,

That defining rhetoric causing such evil despair,

The tearing taking of compassionate care,

Love is absolutely nowhere,

They wonder what that hypocrisy ensnares,

Apathy in the form of superficial care.

That Mysterious Difference

She gazes out at the window, through the window,

Through those once rhapsodic eyes,

Thinking of what that place is like,

How she roamed it so freely,

Only to be brought to involuntary seclusion,

Wondering why those "big smart things" get to do what they want,

Is it what I am, or my lack of that thing, that thing that makes them care; why cannot I?