You will know they are christians by...

[Dew]

[space][/space]
Apology: If you work earnestly to save people from a 'false' Christian faith please ignore my heresy. If you are weary of organized efforts by churches to fleece one another's flocks, please enjoy the hell out of this:

They shall know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They shall know we are Christians by our love.*

That guy Bob, he's no Christian
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]He believes the Baptist way
Though we shake our furrowed brows at him
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]He just wont turn away
From that Baptist stuff that's got him fooled
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]I guess he can't be saved

They shall know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They shall know we are Christians by our love.

That guy Bill, he's no Christian
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]He believes the Catholic way
Poor blind fellow, we have spoke to him
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]No matter what we say
All that Catholic stuff has captured him
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]I guess he can't be saved

They shall know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They shall know we are Christians by our love.

That guy Tom, he's no Christian
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]With his Fundamental way
It's so sad how they're fooling him
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Our God can't hear him pray
Since the rules are given just to us
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]I guess he can't be saved

They shall know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They shall know we are Christians by our love.

I heard Tim thinks he's Christian
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Though his church has got no name
He says all of us will go to hell
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Unless we turn his way
Because God is just a formula
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]There's ONE way to be saved

They shall know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They shall know we are Christians by our love.

That guy Jesus (the first Christian)
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]He had something else to say
When his buddies tried to argue
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Which of them was the most great
He used a child as the only test
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Of how to tell who's saved

That guy John (one of Jesus friends)
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Said what of other ways?
"We saw someone" (not one of us)
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Who acts like he is saved
"Do not stop him" (said Jesus)
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Love is black and white and gray

You shall know other Christians by their LOVE, by their love
You shall know other Christians by their LOVE.

They don't attend where you go
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Don't let that get in the way
They might not pray like you do
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]There's a lot of ways to pray
He's the truth and life but first of all
[space][/space][space][/space][space][/space]Christ said he was the WAY

You shall know if YOU are Christian if you know what is love
If you can spot another Christian by their love.


*[a/n: The refrain beginning: "they shall know..." is from a song written in 1968 by Peter Scholtes, based on John 13:35, and is generally underutilized as a means to promote unity.]

[A.k.ChaosDream]

actually i see all this debate about what's the one true religion just as an old battle of egos, of whos right when no proof is given, taking all the subjective arguments they can find and just shoveling them in.
how can you believe in a world of the mind without dreams
the fact that people need the fear of smth to stop inflicting fear onto others proves to me we live in a # smth circle of Hell.
cheers J

[anthonycoll]

Spot on! But let us be very careful not become bitter or we could become the same! I really like this poem; it is right out of your heart - awesome observation! To me, a religionist practices a set of rules where a Christian "lives" the 'teachings' of Jesus Christ - "Love one another as I have loved you." Thanks for helping me not to become a religionist while I strive to follow Jesus Christ, the Loving and truly Caring, Son of God. anthony

[Jeffrey]

Well written and insightful, a little "tough love"? *grins*. Humans are social beings and tend to clump into groups and organized religion have learned to capitalize on this trait. However if I read Matt.18:20 right, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”, belonging to this or that group is not what makes up His church.

The Mad Poet

[Christopher11]

Our relationship with Him, is our most wonderful opportunity, and we should thank our Father daily for bestowing such a divine offering. Christ's Love can inspire us in so many ways, and when we form an alliance with Him, we acquire the authority to build a new and better way. It's hard to not be affected by the behavior of others. Why do we compare? Why do we really care? Are too many wrongly proclaiming, or are we just giving them too much credit? I know plenty that haven't earned crap, but they still try to offer open-ended promises they know very little about. It makes more sense to me, to pull ourselves down, before we build ourselves up.
Thank you for all that you do,
David

[riversidepoet]

very nice way of getting us to think about all of this, you hit it on the head when you said Christ is the way, there will be no Baptists, no Methodists, no Catholics, no Penecostals , none of these will be in heaven, no religions, only those born again by the blood of Christ, let us all love one another and go together to that promised land. May God bless

[dwells]

A superbly scathing dissemble on the present status quo where the empty pews speak volumes.
Bring back that old time fire and brimstone before we all find out the hard way that "we're not all that". Cheers Dew (now pass that offering plate without making any change please...)

[AlzheimerDreams]

Hello Dew,

A well deserved spotlight for a well written poem. I did wonder at the 'monochrome' metaphor " Love is black and white and gray" - I rather like to think of it as a rainbow full of colours and the range would include, for me, the ultra-violet and infra-red spectra - but as you were only discussing Christians then, I suppose ....

A really good write.

[Sylvierue]

I suppose our true strength in faith comes when we look inward. I think there's real merit to this, this idea that spending time in judgment is not only futile but detrimental to the realization of a greater peace and greater goal. I really enjoyed how you incorporated the song refrain into the poem. And the poem as a whole. Nice work.

[Mollie]

Congratulations Dew for writing a wonderful poem! Well written.
May I make a suggestion? I don't think the line "Which of them was the most great" flows. Perhaps you could revise it (perhaps "Which of them was the greatest"?) Hope this does not offend you.

The content of your poem is "spot on" and until we all actually live a life of love towards all other people we'll continue to be controlled by isms.
Jean

[Josie]

The next time we sing 'that song' in church, I'm going to smile remembering your version! Congratulations on the TPS Spotlight recognition.

[Ladywildalice]

Oh my, this is wonderful. Congrats on the TPS spotlight. This is one of those writes that hangs on even after you turn off the laptop and walk away. Very memorable.

[everhopeful]

Although this one has a tone of condemnation, and makes it clear just why some deserve condemnation, it also makes me think about those who practice their faith in a way which follows the tenets set before them, respectful of others and how they chose to worship. Punctuating this one with the song refrain was a nice touch because it took us back to one of the few things inherent to all religious beliefs, and managed to make the sharp edge of this one all the more cutting without becoming the thing it hates!
Congratulations on the spotlight!

[IronHeart]

Indeed. It is not a complicated thing, it just takes heart. Well said Dew.

[wsparks]

"judge not, or yee shall be judged" Christ did say there was 1 way..."no one goes to the father but by me" My only concern is the watering down of "The Word". It is hard, not easy, at times I see churches that say hey you don't to believe all of this, just love each other....that is not what the word says..

enjoyed you work, and love that song!

In His Hands ws

[Kurt]

Religion and Faith. Mutual exclusives. Thank you for defining that concept in such a concise (and lyrical) way!

[Jovel320]

I like your views on how each one thinks his or her religion is the right one. Too much has been done against each other in the name of religion, God or simply our views on life. You bring to the forefront what lingers beneath the surface of all the world's religions. The only thing that binds us as one is SIN:
For we are all sinners from birth and can only change the stain of our spirit by the contributions to enrich our lives, our community and the lives of our fellow man.
It is in our different beliefs and ways of life that we should take refuge, not create hostility and divisiveness.
Enjoyed you piece!!!
Jovel

[Dew]

The only thing that binds us as one is SIN

LOLLLLLLLLLL...I don't know why that was funny to me, but the irony of it just about knocked me over...(in a mixed congregation) you can't even say we're all one in Jesus because SOMEONE will point out that their understanding of Christ or salvation or faith or something is different from someone elses and then everyone starts tripping over orphans and widows to prove they are right.

My point: get it right in the little stuff FIRST. caring for people in pain, holding your tongue at home, going out of your way for friends...because that is actually the big stuff. Argue about the thinky metaphysical math AFTER you sort your heart out. priorities...

thanks all for the great comments and the honor of the spotlight. I truly, truly appreciate it.

:Dew

[moe]

There are [in my estimation] too many avenues, too many side streets, too many alleys in the Christian faith or rather belief system... Many have decided to worship the Deity or in or own way sans "established religion"
And while each has most probably been raised in a particular religious sect, it is still their choice, at least in the western cultures to choose their own way to salvation which is ,again in my estimation the right way to go.