A Sense of Spirituality

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Another poem from my gay-interest blog today for those readers who never visit it for whatever reason. Interestingly, though, I do hear from gay-friendly straight people from time to time who seem to find it.. well, .'interesting' is the most used adjective, but 'informative' and 'illuminating' pop up from time to time, even 'educational'; there are, of course, numerous antonyms to these as well; that's human nature for you.

As a gay man and someone who does not subscribe to any religion, I am often criticised for claiming a strong sense of spirituality. I get it from nature and my personal experience of the kinder side of human nature. The human spirit is common to us all so why should religion be seen as having a monopoly on spirituality? These are two separate phenomena that can, and often do, go hand in hand, but no one deserves to be be put down for not accepting one or the other; similarly, no one deserves to be put down for embracing both. It has long been my view and personal experience that world religions are often responsible for fostering the more judgemental aspects of human nature, and I say this as a fellow human being not just a gay man.

Human beings are inclined to divide rather than unite, but isn’t love a common bond, and one we would do well to acknowledge rather than be persuaded to pursue the politics of division by various socio-cultural-religious forces that so like to dominate for domination’s sake even if they so love to pretend otherwise. I have met some lovely people whose religion may not be LGBT-friendly, but they see no conflict in taking people as they find them without prejudice aforethought, and the world needs more of them.

Love does not discriminate; it is as much an integral part of the human spirit whether those engaging with it are gay, straight, transgender or bisexual. Religion and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, only where society and/or dogma would have it so.

A friend of mine attends his church regularly, but has not been able to bring himself to tell his friends and colleagues in the congregation that he is gay. Yes, it snacks of hypocrisy, but who is the greater hypocrite, I ask you!

 A SENSE OF SPIRITUALITY

Down by the river,

where kingfishers fly,

I lay with my lover

one joyful summer’s day,

passing clouds

parting for kisses

from fair Apollo,

as if reaffirming our faith

in peace, love,

and a native integrity,

nor necessarily less so

for being gay

Down by the river,

where music fills the air,

I kissed my gay lover

under eaves of a willow tree,

its leaves shimmering

like stained glass windows

as if Earth Mother

restoring Apollo’s church

to the likes of us

to worship at the altar

of passion and rediscover

its spirituality

Down by the river

summer flowers fill the air

with perfumes

conspiring to fill our church

with all the colours,

smells, sounds of love

and a peace of mind

that Earth Mother would have

a common humanity

bring to bear on each other

whatever our ethnicity, creed

sex or sexuality

Copyright R. N. Taber 2015