Modern Idolatry

Not a criticism of reactions to faith, just an admittance that I prioritise the wrong things

As a race we obsess 

over what we can see,

or touch, which we can't deny.

Faith is discarded.

For those of far away cultures.

For those long dead.

Our beliefs can only be as solid

as the evidence laid before our eyes.

Yet we will gladly turn our heads,

put blinkers on-

plunge ourselves into darkness than admit

the corruption our materialism festers.

We are slaves to the idols formed

in our own minds,

crafted by our own hands.

'They have mouths,

but do not speak;

eyes, but do not see. 

Those who make them

become like them;

so do all who trust in them.'

We have given them power,

to feed our greed, our gluttony,

our barbarism. 

We don't need to fall to our knees in prayer.

But don't deny that our necks

strain to preserve the fixed view 

of our idolatry.

Author's Note

Thanks for any and all comments

Reviews

[Norman 223]

It is so refreshing to see the younger generation, who are not rebels, but positive , realistic thinkers. Tradition may be "romantically" believable, but is rarely backed up by evidence.
You have a powerful style, Emma, that projects, but doesn't shout.

[Emma]

Thank-you so much for that lovely compliment. I am very hopeful that once I am more confident in my writing I will share them spoken on social media, and it is finding the balance between expressing your opinions and disengaging your audience by being overtly forceful that is so well found by my favourites to follow.

[Pete]

i like this a lot. we live in a selfish, materialistic society. worshipping money and all that it can buy. nice work ...

[Lorry]

This sounds like it could be written from the point of view of a visitor from another galaxy, looking perplexed as you try to explain why Mrs Kardashian is the most famous woman on the planet. :)
Sometimes I wonder how far we have came in a relatively short time, but wonder how far it could have been, if we hadn't got so interested in self and what's in it for us.
I don't use the word much, but this piece is phenomenal. Love the questioning language, but also admitting some blame too.

[Emma]

Thank you so much. It is frustrating to think of what we could have created. I wasn't originally thinking about the environment when writing this, but when we consider our so called 'advancements' and the damage that they have created because we prioritised improving our life I see the peak of our selfishness. And yet I also can't see how we can reverse it, as we have trapped ourselves by building our existence around technology. So maybe putting on the blinkers is the only way we can appease our guilt.
Sorry that I hadn't decided what I was typing before I started, just kind of a long tangent.

[Lorry]

No worries. I do the same.

[emmajoy]

Your poem is fascinating, intereresting and in many ways inspirational. I think anyone who spends time thinking of self, surroundings, beliefs plus thevast society society, surely reaches some kind of opinion on how to BE along the way?! And yes, there are more than many who just travel life, not caring a jot how they add a teeny part of the gigantic whole. That said, I belive in the Creator and what has been laid down to interpret and help support the Present, not only the often mis-translated. Man was meant to progress otherwsie why be created with a brain to absorb knowledge/experience,, and a mind by which the aforesaid is used.. learned from. Howevere, what exists beyond the four walls of home, the Great space around and beyond us is or would be magnificent... if Man cared more.

So, sliding down from the pulpit, forgive me, please.. Idolatry in all forms is unforgiable, it creates annother Being that serves only itself.. Gentle the hand that feeds the beast for beware, it may leap at your lack of intelligence, then, gnaw at the bones of your ignorance.

[Emma]

Thankyou so much for your incredible thoughts. The image of not only our decisions coming back to bite us but the incessant and irreparable gnawing it inflicts is a powerful and will certainly stick with me

[emmajoy]

Yours is a moving piece of writing, deserves lots of reviews..

[BlackPrince]

This poem is for this age and the ages to come.
It's an anthem for the world. It's like the voice
of one crying out in the desert with words of wisdom
for the lost souls and blur-minded, confused and conformist
and confined to the norms defined set structures that degrade,
rather than elevate, the quarrelling children of Eve.
Materialism and its divisive nature go many living in a lower state,
not valuing human life, where the behind rather than the mind is praised more,
and so poverty strikes hard when riches are in the hands of few.
Yet the mind, which is a gift so sublime, is the most powerful tool on the planet,
if used correctly.

And your words so candidly say: 'We are slaves to the idols formed
in our own minds, crafted by our own hands.'

Here in this poem is established a prophecy: of love, its living application and its sweet fruits tasted;
or of hate , its divisive nature and deadly repercussions.
I choose the former.

WELL DONE

[Emma]

Thankyou so much for sharing your thoughts they are incredible. Blurminded seems particularly to hit the mark and we are so the children of eve seeking for more than is good for us and never satisfied.

[Delmar Cooper]

Pretty cool thoughts. "thou art the god of my idolatry" Thus we see the substantial lack of Romeos to fill the substantial voids of Juliets abroad in our world. Perhaps if we build a tower of gold and scratch upon it the name of the beast, something like that in lieu of spiritual substance, to coin an oxymoron. But, I'm digressing from my intended praise of your thoughts. Good writing, good thoughts, thanks.

[Emma]

I'm not sure I completely understood your comment but I'm glad that my poem provoked such a beautifully poetic response

[Delmar Cooper]

I'm not sure I... understood your comment ... glad my poem provoked... poetic response.
Another example of the power of poetry to obfuscate.
Disregard everything in my previous comment except the praise and the word "thanks." That is what I meant to say.

[.]

Hmmm. I guess there is no greater era of idolatry than the one in which we are living in. And no greater era for hypocrisy either.

I wouldn't deem myself a spiritual person; I will happily admit to needing physical evidence of God or all that religion deems is beyond our realm before i could be convinced of its true existence. But neither have I fallen to my knees at the altar of modern idols.....the trends, the gadgets, the brands and the rampant material consumerism that it involves. But i agree that in this modern age of living, many do live their lives in such a way; accumulating materiel for the wardrobe and not materiel for the soul. It is the predominant modern addiction for our age.

This is a strongly written piece, Emma. Elegant and intellectual and written with just the right tone of contempt for our hypocritical ways of living. I enjoyed this very much. Excellent work.

[Emma]

Thanks for your comments. I know that it isn't applicable to everyone but I think many are reluctant to admit their dependence on technology or money or in extreme cases power and maybe don't fall to there knees but certainly look up to and aspire to have more power and influence in society. I just happened to read the psalm I quoted a few days ago and it struck me that if you want selfish material things it will effect your whole attitude to life. Love the material for your wardrobe not your soul comment by the way.