Not So Sacred Memories Of Church (poem) by Felix LeRoy Perry on AuthorsDen

Reviewed by Monette Bebow-Reinhard (Reader)

Reviewed on January 31, 2007

This brought me back to a place I never wanted to be again! How often a religion can make people feel. When it does that, and we recognize it, we know that it's wrong. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Monette

Reviewed by Kathryn Collins (Reader)

Reviewed on January 28, 2007

Hi Felix:

Looked for you here and found a few friends. Perhaps I'll post a few. One great thing I found is Not So Sacred Memories Of Church. I love this poem. Our memories and feelings today are similar. At the time (childhood), I didn't much notice the politics and incongruities and confusion. I still love the statues, the incense and the candle flickers, although I only see them at weddings and funerals.

My kind of poem. Thanks for writing it.

Kathy Collins
(Writing Forum)

Reviewed by Myrna Badgerow

Reviewed on January 27, 2007

Fee, I applaud your convictions on writing this. I do not necessarily share your viewpoint but perhaps I have been luckier than most in the parishes I have been a part of. I also have had many debates with my former parish priests about doctrine I did not quite agree with..lol Anyway, the writing was well done and you conveyed your message quite well and, no I'm not offended.
Myrna

Reviewed by Karen Cino

Reviewed on January 25, 2007

What a wonderfully done piece you have penned. You handled a delicate subject quite nicely and effectively. Everything you have penned is right. We too went to church every Sunday...it was a family ritual.

Mother who have aged and died bearing ten children�sinners
Fathers working as slave labor giving all extra to church�sinners

Times have changed, however, they church is still looking for money,especially when your kids are in catholic schools. My kids are in catholic high school and I get a postcard from each school stating that if the tuition isn't paid up, the kids aren't allowed to take mid-term exams. Imagine this.

Wonderful job you have done here...with much imagery and truth.

~hugs~
Karen

Reviewed by Dennis Leischner (Reader)

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

Felix

I think this is tactfully written and with sufficient truth that stirred my own memories. An image remains of aging, punative males who only spoke Latin trying to save my soul.

Reviewed by Morning Star

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

I truly don't think this write should offend any one
This write truthful and you have deliver the message in a very Graceful manner with your words you you've captured
The terror many youth experienced and I remember this days
People only went to church because it was Sunday they call it
A day of obligation they really don't go because they felt
The need in there spirit.
Your message within this write
Conveys truth feelings you have instilled so many
Descriptive and informative words throughout your poem!
Outstanding Write!!
Love And Peace To You..Morning Star

Reviewed by Rosemarie Skaine

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

We live in an imperfect world. R

Reviewed by Mitzi Jackson

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

a writers view sometimes may often
here i don't think so
this is done very graceful story-telling even
and i enjoyed the words and story here brought back things i remember about some church experiences
you done a great job here (to me any way)

Reviewed by Joseph* OneLight*� (Reader)

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

Hey Fee,

Perhaps this poem is your way of putting those bad memories behind you. Bless you, my friend, as you move forward and away from this darkness.

Love & Light always and in all ways,
Joseph*

Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

Excellent write, Fee; very well done!

Reviewed by Candy T (Reader)

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

An important topic which you have addressed with both sincerity and sensitivity.

Reviewed by Kay P Devenish

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

You have read my bio Felix so you know my view on religion.I can understand how you feel....totally.It is good that you write out your feelings,they are real.it happened.
I also can relate and appreciate what Victor wrote, though I do find more comfort myself sitting alone in some churches,and even though I dearly love some of the good folk who go to church,I happen to find more peace and feel closer to God by sitting in a shady garden.I too bear the emotional scars left from having been a child of that religion.
Best wishes always to you and yours
From
kay.

Reviewed by Flying Fox Ted L Glines (Reader)

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

Right on, Fee, and kudos for saying it so plainly. God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are good. But, put a man in robes and let him feel "holy," and you may have a demon walking, and we do learn by example (that might be a problem). Write on!

Ted

Reviewed by Poetess of The Soul Sheila G

Reviewed on January 24, 2007

This was a treat!
I like it Sweet Fee!
YOu got me deeply with this!
I feel
WE will know him in our ways!
This NEEDED to get out, and you said
elequently too! :)
STay Positive Always!

WArmest HuGs,Warrior Sheee

Reviewed by J. Allen Wilson

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

"As hypocritical sinners become Sunday saints"

I understand your thoughts and can feel your emotions here.
One thing that keeps me is "Work out your own salvation before
God...man will always be corrupt in heart, therefore never rely
totally on man...but God.

Well expressed thoughts Felix...

Reviewed by Taylor Ryan

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

I , like Kate before me, applaud your willingness to get this one out of your system and into print Fee and agree that those teachings of a loving God are often misconstrued by the very nature of some but not all of Man when gathered together. Brutal honesty often makes for fascinating poetry ..and this time it did.
xo Taylor

Reviewed by jude forese

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

when any religion professing the fear of god does so because it is not sure of itself ...

excellent, Felix ...

Reviewed by ~ Holly Harbridge (Reader)

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

A pitiful, bad sad truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is not a chuch, but a cult with spiritually blinded followers.

Reviewed by Laura Mayer (Reader)

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

Fee, this is a view that I have adopted a long time ago. I always felt out of place and unwanted by the other church goers because my parents didn't take me to church, so I went with a friend. I always felt the stares of the uppity ones and the pointing of fingers. But I kept going every Sunday because despite the ousting from others, I always had a peaceful feeling when talking to Jesus. I don't go to church anymore, I prefer to develop my relationship with God without the priests' spin on it. You've written here something that has struck a nerve with me, and I agree with you 100%. Thank you for sharing this write. Hugs, Laura

Reviewed by Susan de Vegter

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

Put it on paper...be fearless like me. We give the whole world's thoughts in a few words and the words will fly. My friend...people will love your honesty and other's will breath fire and brimstone. I know...it happened to me this past week. Be faithful and tell the truth. Truth is...most don't want to hear the truth so apathy was born.
I love your fearless pen Fee. Now come join me next Sunday.
Love,
Susan

Reviewed by CJ Heck

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

Very powerful memories, Fee. You did a wonderful job writing about them. As a child, we have to go to the church our parents take us to. Thank God, we can make our own choices once we're grown. It's too bad there are churches and priests who inspire fear -- I've always thought of God as being like my own father and as a result, I visited many churches before I found one where fire and brimstone wasn't preached at me. Excellent poem, my friend.
Love,
CJ

Reviewed by Debby Rosenberg

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

thank you - i believe you've captured the terror many youth experienced in the arms of the old church - where it was taught "to fear god"....I don't know if these church's of old still are around, most these days have taken on a lighter approach (thank god) and have learned "inspiration" has a greater following than "fire and brimstone"

Reviewed by Victor Buhagiar (Reader)

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

Personally I think that what takes place in a church must be reflected in one's heart and not what others do or say. I love going to church and try to concentrate on my own communication with God. Victor

Reviewed by Rose Rideout

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

Well Felix, you are so right, a writer has to put on paper what he feels, it was well written but I have to say, maybe you were led to the wrong church. I know my picture was painted a different colour. Thank you for your words, I hope one day I can express with words as you do.
Love your Cuz, Rose XOXO

Reviewed by Leland Waldrip

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

You have apparently allowed your mind to go into gear and see the reality of what went on in your church. You are in the minority. Most either swallow it all hook line and sinker, living lives of guilt in hopes of receiving a stingy absolution from those who installed the guilt, or pay the metaphysical BS no mind but use the personal relationships for gain. Someone said religion is the opiate of the people and it appears that picture came through to you loud and clear.
Best regards,
Leland

Reviewed by Kate Burnside

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

Needs to be said, Felix, and you do so with realism and clarity. There is the truth that not one of us is born perfect... or is that just me??!!.... and there is the understood/received truth that God himself makes us into a form of perfection by the gift of His Son and His Spirit. Trouble is, what God intends is beauty and beautiful... but mostly, sad to say, Church, that institution of Man, can be seriously flawed and paint an unappealing picture that warps the nature and purposes of God Himself, I believe. I can therefore fully understand peeps therefore throwing the baby out with the bathwater, thinkin if this is what God is like, then no thanks. The Church where God Himself is not present by His Spirit is actually more deathly and stomach-churning than the street corner or "house of sinners" where His Spirit is actually probably more able to be at work, bringing life, light and grace.

I applaud your integrity and would more of us so-called church-goers had the courage to confront our own white-washed sepulchres from the inside. As for me, knowing the state of my own mind and heart, I would be loathe to point any fingers. Sinfulness is perhaps not either doing or not doing something; it is a state of being... being deliberately at a distance from the heart that longs to enfold and embrace us as His own. But just ramblin now... and am in no fit state to. So just ignore. And, likewise, apologies if this review causes offence. Wholly unintended, but I can't be anything but honest.

Bravo and God Bless!! :)) K xx

Reviewed by Karen Vanderlaan

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

This is one of my favorites you have done--i love theat it is honest and thought provoking--

Reviewed by Tinka Boukes

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

Thanks for sharing this most insightful offering Felix!!

Love Tinka

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

Sure brings back memories, Fee. I was an altar boy after all. Thank you. Be well. Love and peace,

Regis

Reviewed by A PAX

Reviewed on January 23, 2007

sounds like you were guided to attend the wrong church......
if thats what it was like
I understand your write...

there are rotton apples in every bunch
man is flawed
and its ironic, those with flaws are the first to point the finger at others, and sometimes station/status gives liberties undeserved

sigh

�In nominee Patris, et Filii et Spiritus Sancti��