Why This Guy Hates the Church, Not Religion, And Loves Jesus

First off, I think this poem is morbidly mis-titled. I believe the title should be not “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” but “Why I hate the Church, But Love Jesus”. Why? Because the poet believes in the religion and is religious and criticizes what goes on inside the church, especially the habits of its members. Quite simply, it's your beliefs and how you implement them within your behaviors. In learning religion, he learns Jesus and his doings and has improved himself, which I believe you are supposed to do.

Secondly, his criticism of the Republican Party is out of place. He does not elaborate “why Republican doesn’t mean Christian”. If someone completely out-of-touch with government heard this, they have a preconceived notion before they do research. Luckily, I know that Republicans are currently and overwhelmingly pro-life and anti-homosexual, or better yet, against gay marriage. (Notice I did not say homophobic, but that’s another topic for another time….. Maybe? Yes?) They often defend their beliefs with Bible scriptures but people can defend almost anything with religion. And yes, though they believe these things are wrong and criticize them, Republicans are far from perfect. (In this sense, the poet and I may agree.)

3) “I mean if religion is so great, why has it started so many wars?” One word: intolerance. And religion doesn’t make people intolerant. Lack of patience and close-mindedness makes you intolerant.

4) “Why does it build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor?” Good point. I get tired of seeing preachers, pastors, etc. driving cars that would cover my year’s tuition but will not give dime nor dollar to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

5) “See the problem with religion, is it never gets to the core
It's just behavior modification, like a long list of chores”
While religion is “behavior modification”, it serves a higher purpose. It aims to change or improve a set of behaviors in hopes that you will learn something. Sometimes “Fake it ‘til you make it” works. But you must fool yourself. No, I don’t believe in fooling yourself into thinking you’re perfect. I’d say that religion is less of wrapping a mummy and moreso wrapping a leg (or a body) in a cast. It heals. It improves in nature.
Participating in religion should be like dressing for success. You must dress like you you belong to something better and you should act accordingly while learning. While learning, help other along the way. Sometimes that involves some constructive criticism: of self and others.

6) “But now that I know Jesus, I boast in my weakness” He may have learned but the voice in which his poem is delivered sounds so judgmental whether he says he isn’t or not.

7) “But if Jesus came to your church would they actually let him in
See remember he was called a glutton, and a drunkard by religious men” I believe the church would let him in if he expressed the desire to change. The glutton or drunkard must be called, (ya know, like Jesus said he was by God, not that he was a drunk or anything) and not forced into church like the self-righteous men are. I find that the self-righteous are forced into church and then think they’re better simply for their attendance. All those who offer help aren’t perfect but that doesn’t make them wrong for offering help.

8) Religion is a “manmade invention”. Yes, but it’s a progression on mankind’s behalf. Someone had to see the light! And that person may not have necessarily been or be self-righteous. It’s the work of God.

9) “Religion says “slave”, Jesus says “son”’. But we are God’s children and parents teach children to WORK. You are god’s vessel to be worked with and through.
Aren’t we “made in His image?” Shouldn’t we act like it too?

10) “Not based in merits but Jesus’ obedience alone.” We his children and we must obey.
I know this is probably way over 300 words…. I just had to get it all out.

My Besties

I was looking for somewhere to fit in. I was in 7th grade a Thurgood Marshall Middle School. After homeroom, there was Literacy class, a useless part of my schedule that everyone had to take. It was mandated by the new superintendent to get students to read on their grade level. But I was beyond my grade level and there was a class for us too. "Post-High School", or PHS, they called it. I was in Honors classes and so were a lot of people from my homeroom and all the other Honors classes.

First, I met Kendalisia. I call her Ken for short. We had to form reading groups and Ken was the only other girl in my group. The books our group read were boring so we found time to talk. Well, I found time to talk. I asked Kendalisia just about any question I could ask: her favorite foods, television shows, her love life (for a 12 year old, ha!). To this day, when we speak of how our friendship started, Ken says, ”You were so friendly. And you just talked and talked and talked my head off to the point where I just couldn’t be mean to you.” I’m glad I never stopped talking. I’m glad we never stopped talking.

Next, I met Quaashie. She was in my homeroom too. We’d chatted a few times in passing and I found her interesting. One thing I definitely found cool about Quaashie was that she was a cheerleader. But she wasn’t mean or snooty like the ones portrayed on television. After one of our afterschool dances, we traded pictures we took with our telephone numbers scribbled on the back. We began talking and I felt us growing closer.

Soon, I began to wonder “Who is my best friend? Ken or Quaashie?” Upon my contemplation one day, I was walking to lunch and I saw them walking, chatting and laughing together. I smiled and walked up to them, realizing that I didn’t have to have just one.