The Atheist

A path well trod.

Stout walls,

built of Catholic

granite teaching,

crumbled

amid

the chaos

of youth.

 

Replaced with

disbelief, disappointment

and anger

as the veil was lifted

and hypocrisy

exposed.

 

Lost years

believing

in a myth,

a sad deception

propagated by

parents and priests.

 

Now evaporated

in a mist of

worldwide abuse

and the truth

of science.

 

Still the aftertaste

remains,

a bitter flavour

on my tongue

as I reject,

spit out

in disdain,

every religion

that was ever

written.

 

30/07/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[kentuck14]

Like I've mused before John . . . how men can see the truth and fail to live it is not such a mystery. We came into this world with battered souls . . . making our way hypocrisy has always been the age-old battle.
T

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Oh indeed it has been Tom and will continue to be. Many thank yous.

[Fairy Khan]

Bitter, but it gives us something to ponder upon.
Why something as pure as faith and religion is used to cover up and propagate hate, abuse and violence?
Well written.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed so but I often wonder why the human race needs faith in some 'god' to feel good? Many thanks FKK.

[Fairy Khan]

We all believe in one thing or another. Some have faith that God doesn’t exist, and some have faith that he does, but we all do believe.

[Mrudula Rani]

Wolves in sheep's clothing have done such a damage to so many vulnerable souls, the stories of abuse and anguish of victims is heartbreaking. The institutions that covered up these crimes for so long lost their credibility and left many feeling the way you described.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Agreed and more besides when you consider the wars and atrocities carried out under the name of gods! Many thanks Mrudula.

[Mrudula Rani]

In the name of religion all religious establishments all over the world have done unforgivable atrocities, John.

[John the Baptist]

When the once devout go sour, they really go sour. These words are heavy with bitterness and contempt, doubtless given even more energy by the revelations of priestly abuse. Still, myth is not without value. Science as yet cannot explain consciousness, and it may be that objective knowledge can be aided by tales told long ago.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I guess Catholiscism breeds either blind devotion or deep disdain. I am in the latter camp and view religion as a necessary 'evil' in that it provides relief and belief in those who have little faith in humanity without such fiction. Those who use religion to abuse or wage war are another story. Many thanks JTB.

[TheJordBaker]

Strong and emotive and by a loss of faith I can relate.
Anger towards the faith for ever being and towards oneself for altering a way of life for so long.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed so, Many thanks for reading and commenting.

[katsmeow]

I agree 100 percent. Very will done.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Strong piece with an edge of bitterness. Totally understandable when you think of what's been done in the name of religion.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed so Chris. Many thanks. And good morning. Having mown the lawn and hung out the washing earlier [06:00], the brolly is now at the ready!

[Chris Shaw]

Take your apron off first :) Have a great day John.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah about to put it on to start on dinner!

[Chris Shaw]

:))......................

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, the Doobies..."what a fool believes"

i want to think i wasn't a fool to believe what i did as a youth...but age has taught me that those who taught me religion didn't necessarily adhere to Christian values themselves.
deceit punctured a hole in my religions balloon.
now it is just between God and me...
i know you would have imagined me to like this one John...i relate so totally...

j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes indeed Jacob. We seem to have followed a similar path of 'revalation' so far as religion is concerned. Many thanks!