The poem, In search of Jesus follows:
Mirza, I used to experiment with phrases on my radio shows, one of them comes to mind is “every place where justice is needed, a peace maker emerges”. The sentence was deliberatly altered to not give away. Invariably the caller would say it is in Quraan, in Bhagvad Gita, in the Bible or the Bahais Book. That is the essence of goodness and am glad every one claimed it. Indeed, it is in all those scriptures.
All the scriptures from what I have known in the last 15 years of study, have the same bottom line; to bring peace and balance to an individual and balance with what surrounds one; life and matter.
Thanks for addressing the parodox in the following poem.
http://www.mikeghouse.net/
Mirza A. Beg
Oct 15, 2009
This poem, allegorically laments the misuse of the name and the message of Jesus. With a few changed words and syntax it would be valid for any religion.
The age of Information is entwined with the age of misinformation. Thoughtful understanding requires hard work; propaganda only needs bumper stickers. Religious zealots from all sides symbiotically feed on propagandized fear. The internal struggle is between the heart of each religion serving with humility and the strong arm seeking supremacy through misconstrued words.
The paradox is – in all religions; those who claim universality of their brand of religion behave as exclusivist tribal supremacist and those who introspectively value personal responsibility enhance universal amity.
Celebrated is your name
Your Hellenized name
Jesus!You are a messenger
A pristine idea to a few
A God to some
And the Son of God
You are a friend to some
A seer of wisdom
A promise of justice
And salvation
A hope for tomorrow
A redeemer to fallen
A beacon to lost souls
A promise of peace
Some shout your name
From lavish pulpits
Peddling salvation
From fire and damnation
They amass power
To usher your kingdom
At the point of the sword
Or atom tipped bombs
While others
Walk a lonely road
Quietly, humbly
Serving the needy
They love their neighbors
Humbly serve the meek
The sick, the injured
And the bombed
Mirza A. Beg can be contacted at, mab64@yahoo.com, or http://mirzasmusings.blogspot.com/