Our animal instincts are much too strong
For us to ignore our need for spiritual
Support groups for very long.
This is what I think churches are meant to be.
But aren't they often simply
Strengthening the herd mentality?
Instead of projecting acceptance out to others
They close their rule-bound ranks
Around their sisters and brothers.
Is this because they are afraid of being infected
By the ways of outside others
That their group has rejected?
It seems that mission work is so much more effective
Than all the Sunday sermons
And the judgmental invective.
When you feed a hungry person or hold a fearful hand
This imparts the love
That makes an animal human.
I want to believe that men are a "cut" above the animal world, but like your poetry points out we often observe actions that are too animal-like in nature. God help me to be more sensitive and caring.
ReplyDelete