Sacred Blasphemy

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Poem By: Urja
Poetry

This is the poem I wrote for Seesawmae's challenge. These days, one hears all kinds of criticisms against new inventions and scientific progress. The detractors feel that much of what is being done in the name of science is against the law of nature, with Man trying to play God.

The debate on the ethics of stem cell research is one such example, even though in reality this new technology is capable of revolutionalizing treatment of many devastating illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, etc.

My poem is against such tunnel-visioned opinions, because I believe that God never intended Man to be apologetic about his creativity; it is we who try to define the limits of what is and is not against nature.

The picture used here is the one which was given to me by Seesawmae. View table of contents...

Submitted: Jun 5, 2008 Reads: 101 Comments: 26 Likes: 15

SACRED BLASPHEMY

Man made devices in the image of himself

To conquer life,

Grappling long-forbidden thoughts

To foray into the eternal truth ……..

So what, if ours are just some baby steps for now!

We will cross the frontiers yet,

We will stride ahead,

The networks in our minds crisscrossing,

Relaying thoughts, imprinting paths by their passing,

Creating life, connecting love,

Erasing all the boundaries

By reaching out …….

We are not, ever, playing God –

Only to utilize

The power we’ve been given.

After all, we are His devices,

He too has made us

In the image of Himself ……

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Comments:

air

Hey Urja ^_^
'the networks in our mind criss-crossing'
Yes, we have an abundance ot thoughts connecting in every which way. and yes I too believe we are creators, I mean OF COURSE we are, we are indeed children of Him, and it is our inheritance. do we do the right thing? of course we are, how can we not. everything is right in it's own way. yes we are in baby steps and so of course we make mistakes, how best to learn. 'relaying thoughts, imprinting paths by thier passing' Love your phrases here Urja ^_^
much an interesting topic for me, and I have enjoyed your poem! all of this from that photo? cool! ^_^
see you later ~katie

Posted: Jun 5, 2008

Author Comment:

Katie, THANK YOU SO MUCH for appreciating the poem. I was not sure if I had been able to convey what I felt. Now I am a bit reassured!

sykkeloblat

This was very clever, and it made me think. I had to read your explanation several time to be sure which "side" you are on.

You raise very important questions. Shall we do all we are capable of doing?

We have already changed farm animals into creatures that can't give birth to their babies som we have to cut them open. We have chickens that grow so fast that if the are not butchered at the right moment the skin burst because the skin can't expand fast enough. We are polluting, we use non-renewable resources at incredible speed, just to name a few problem areas.

There are no easy answers, but we have to start by asking the right questions.

Posted: Jun 5, 2008

Author Comment:

You are right, we certainly have been doing many things that we ought not to. I fully agree that we have no right, moral or otherwise, to create and consume in such a manner as to cause demonstrably harmful effects. My problem is with those who, without any concrete reason against invention, just want to obstruct progress because they are incapable of vision.

Thank you for reading and for the insightful comment.

Jak Sylvian

So many excellent points raised form this brilliant piece of writing, I'm reminded of a few things whilst reading this, one is of a Chicago patent office closing down in 1876, reason being that "Everything that can be invented has been, there is simply nothing left to invent".... imagine that!

The next is a quotation by.... damn I thing Da Vinci or someone, (I will find out) who said something like God did not create our intelligence and potential and have us not use it.

Posted: Jun 5, 2008

Author Comment:

Thanks, Jak, for taking time to read and comment, I really appreciated it. Incidences such as that of the Chicago patent office are something which, if encountered in a movie or a book, would make one dismiss it as highly unreal. But imagine them happening in real life! And the second quotation is exactly what I meant when I wrote this poem.

Alice Oiseau

ooo! nicely done - and wow, you had a tough picture! so kudos to you!
and this topic is soo heavily debated. i personally i'm kind of mixed opinionated on it... but also just a bit worried about how far technology is going.
but thats not the point
the point is: you have written a GREAT poem! i thought it was VERY well written and you did an excellent job! keep it up!! ^^

Posted: Jun 5, 2008

Author Comment:

Hey Alice, such a lovely comment! Thank you very much! And yes, I agree, there HAS to be a balance in how the technology is utilized - the same nuclear power which acts as a fuel for so many important tasks is what was used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

LeAnne

My Favorite line was:

'Creating life, connecing love'

Great poem, Urja!!
i loved it!! You've conquered Seesawmae's challenge!!

Posted: Jun 5, 2008

Author Comment:

"Blush". That's so sweet of you, LeAnne! Thank you!

Pratibha

So what, if ours are just some baby steps for now!
After all, we are His devices,
He too has made us
In the image of Himself ……

YES URJA, I loved each and every word of this....we all are so hypocrits....we want things to improve but when improvement does occur, there we r unhappy an critical again....Instead of looking at the positive side, we r trying to prove our narrow mindedness.....

Posted: Jun 5, 2008

Author Comment:

Hahaha.... I know which people come to your mind when you say this!

apodiform

You know what I always think when topics like this come up (very interesting one, I might add) is that wasn't science created as a way to search for God anyway? Isn't God in everyone and everything? whenever someone says that something is against God or the bible, I just want to ask them how they know that? Were they there taking down the holy words? Uh, no. Okay, gettin off the soap box now. Ticks me off; sorry. I like your poem. Very interesting idea for a poem! Write more! ~Em

Posted: Jun 5, 2008

Author Comment:

You are bang on! That is exactly what I meant. It's always great to get feedback from you (after all, Dr. Emily is going to be the next big thing in the literary circles!)

Anna Therese

I love your thought process here. So often we hear the term "playing god" - cloning is an instance. In my industry (stud cattle) it may have benefits some day? Utilising our god-given powers as no doubt God intended. Works well as a poem.

Posted: Jun 5, 2008

Author Comment:

Hi Anna, thanks for dropping by. You are so right - God would not have given us brains if he did not want us to use them. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.

bubbly

hi! urja. it is indeed sacred. it is indeed blasphemy. but what a (wo)man-made riot it is. lol. ;-)

Posted: Jun 6, 2008

Author Comment:

Hahaha! Good to know you enjoyed it, Bubbly! Thanks for dropping by.

Classy Peach

Wait, i have to go shut the tv off to read the intelligence you've laid down for us.

Ok, i'm back.
Whew! This is outstanding! Each line could be made into an entire new poem. (think about it!)

I hate tunnel visioners. Unfortunately, they are alot.
This is a wonderful poem and it's amazing what a little inspiration can do for one's mind.

Posted: Jun 6, 2008

Author Comment:

Wow, what an idea! But I think I am too lazy to write so many poems!! And yes, my present work place is teeming with tunnel visioners and I don't know what to do with them...sniff..sob.. Ah, and I enjoy reading your comments.

Ghiradelli Girl

I love the subject of this poem, and the poem itself:)! You're right-- we shouldn't be apologetic for morphing stuff-- for stretching out our lives farther with medicine and all that. God did create us-- to allow us to create. I like that message in the poem-- you did a very awesome job^_^!

Lot's of special chocolate to you,

Ghiradelli Girl.

Posted: Jun 6, 2008

Author Comment:

Ooooh! I really need that chocolate - life has been so hectic these last few weeks! Thanks a ton for both the chocs and the lovely comment.

punne4e

Hy Urja!yes it is right that he can capable to do anything but buddy its his love for us that he always bothered about us and spread love,calmness by him.and we are like just toys of his hands.I think the main subject of mine and yours poem is same.By the way i enjoy it.
Vicky.punne4e

Posted: Jun 7, 2008

Author Comment:

Yes Vicky, you are right. Thank you for your read and your comment.

Nixie

This is so interesting, and let me say first of all a great poem. I love the last few lines, that is the final statement. I think the evolution of humanity is based on science, look at our world, we are surrounded by it, and time is out staple. We're so eager to know everything, but whether that is a good or bad thing is debatable. You've got me thinking now, and that's definitely not a bad thing! :) Great poem, and good for you for stepping up to the challenge. ~ Nixie

Posted: Jun 9, 2008

Author Comment:

Hi Nic, nice to see you here. Whether or not our curiosity is a good thing depends on how we use it. Thanks for reading and commenting - it's always fun to hear from you!

Punishment

Well you got me thinking. ^^

Posted: Jun 10, 2008

Author Comment:

That's always a good thing! LOL! Thanks for dropping by.

gerabel

What can I say that hasn't already been said other than... It's "wonder-full"!!!

"Erasing all the boundaries by reaching out"...
And what a glorious thing when we reach out at the same time!!!

Peace and love.....Jerry

Posted: Jun 11, 2008

Author Comment:

Most of the problems that the world faces now will be solved if we all reach out at the same time, as you have suggested. What a lovely thing! Thanks, Jerry, thanks for the read and the beautiful comment.

PhoebeMiller

I fear technology/science is often in the hands of those who don't respect it, whose only goal is their own gain. They don't take the time to consider the effects of their decisions, the effects of their quest to "better" this or that. Maybe they get too wrapped up in the pursuit or they are blinded by power. I don't believe we were given brains not to use them. We have the gift of free will and the bane of selfishness. Ego drives so much and overrules common sense and prudence. Yet if we don't explore and experiment, we will never find anything, which leaves us treading water in a pool of indecision, and this does no harm, but it doesn't do us any good either.

Tough subject, good poem. :)

Posted: Jun 13, 2008

Author Comment:

'...the gift of free will and the bane of selfishness..' I could not have put it any better. Yes, we are stuck, either way. Wish we knew the way out of this dilemma. Maybe, some day.... Thanks Phoebe, it's always great to get in touch with you.

Dragonfly

I tend to think that if we aren't using our gifts to try and improve and investigate then we are insulting God whoever or whatever you believe that to be. If you have a gift or talent and don't try to use it aren't you throwing it back at the one who gave it to you? Just use it sensibly! Nice job on the challenge BTW.

Posted: Jun 14, 2008

Author Comment:

Absolutely - we HAVE to use it sensibly. And thanks for taking the time out to read and comment on the poem - your words are always valued.

matthew smith

A well written poem which seems to be making people think. To me the poem shows how we progress and develop as a human race. We’ve come a long way but of course there’s so much more we can achieve, there r also so many problems we need to sort out As long as we don’t loose sight of who we r and why we’re here. A great poem tho when all is said and done!!

Posted: Jun 16, 2008

Author Comment:

Thanks, Matthew for both the read and the thoughtful comment. Wonder where the world is headed, though. Choices! Choices!

Azmat Shah

Hello,
I really like this poem, no wonder it was in Bubbly's top ten. Although i like rhyming poems this one is one of the few exceptions. Let me tell you first off the flow of this one is remarkable, you seem to have put a lot of thought in the construction. The points you have made are both subtle and hard hitting, Like the one about God making man in the image of himself, it has so much meaning when you look at the first line. Indeed man does try to mimic God, the purpose behind all creation seems the same. We all in our own ways try to play God, its a universal compulsion, even God himself is not above it.

Posted: Jul 1, 2008

Author Comment:

Dear Azmat, I feel so honored to be appreciated by somebody as talented as you! I know what you mean by liking rhyming poems - there were stages in my life when I felt that poetry did not seem like poetry unless it rhymed. Somehow, off late, I have changed. I have started liking things which are less rhyming, even in clothes I have started preferring asymmetric cuts, LOL! Of course, I still love to read poems which rhyme, but I seem to have stopped enjoying to write them. And oh, I'm so thrilled that you correlated the last line with the first - that was indeed my intention.

seesawmae

sorry i didn't comment sooner! This is amazing you did a wonderful job writing this! great interpretation! and a great topic! amazing job, great work!

Posted: Jul 1, 2008

Author Comment:

Thank you Mae, I've been waiting to hear what you thought about it. But I did see on your profile that you've been rather tied down. That's life, I guess. I'm really glad you liked the poem, and I hope to read more of your poems when you do get back on booksie under another name as you've been planning.

rahbar1

Hello Urja...your poem is a statement....correctly penned.
Rahbar.

Posted: Jul 12, 2008

Author Comment:

Dear Rahbar, thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I'm glad you liked the poem. I will check out your work soonish. Enjoy!

ReganFinch

Hey Urja :) I love it when poems make a serious point. I also love it when poems have an intensely intimate observational style. So, obviously, I love this poem.

You state a great and valid point about mankind's attitude and ultimately, God's. I really love this one and I can't wait to read your other stuff!

Regan

Posted: Jul 26, 2008

Author Comment:

Hi Regan, what a beautiful comment - 'intensely intimate observational style'! I'm grinning from ear to ear. I'm glad you liked the poem and the issue it talks about. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Rocky

That poem was a great poem, although it doesn't sound at all like the title in my opinion because the poem is entitled " Sacred Blasphemy " but it does not sound Blasphemous at all.

Posted: Aug 6, 2008

Author Comment:

Haha, you are so right, Rocky. That is the irony of life - what is actually sacred is made into something blasphemous by people with vested interests. Thank you for your kind words.

dreaming of you

wonderful poem and flowed so beautifully , our dear lord must wish all his followers would blaspheme so.
terry

Posted: Aug 6, 2008

Author Comment:

Hi Terry, I'm so glad you liked it. But I'm getting inspired to try my hand at humor after reading your poems. Maybe this weekend when things are calm, I'll give it a try.

Balaji Iyer

Hey Urja... I guess enough has been said about this poem of urs... So I would reserve much of the praise I wished to share.

Indeed, it is a true reflection of the age we delve in and the fickleness of human mind. Keep the flame burning... we all need it.

Posted: Aug 10, 2008

Author Comment:

Hi Balaji, I'm so glad you read this poem and commented. I like your work and it is good to get feedback from authors like you. Thank you for your kind words.

devilrod

I agree completely. We are all our own gods, we are all part of a greater, and we are all probably culminations of infinite quantum intelligence. There is a supreme responsibility with the freedom and power of our creativity. You are a gifted one.

Posted: Nov 17, 2008

Author Comment:

Thank you Devilrod, for your intelligent and insightful comment. I am a sucker for physics and integrating it with philosophy and I enjoy reading the parallels you draw here. Thank you so much for the compliment.