Yes, these are some very “un-Dark Angel-like” things you are saying: “The normal, healthy human being has empathy for other human beings.” Have your prior statements on the subject been abnormal or unhealthy? I will take this as if it were your first muttering about empathy and say that I agree.

Regarding my infidel point, what do I think about the afterlife of non-believers? Do I think they deserve eternal damnation? David Wilkerson appears to think so. I am not convinced. For example, if I knew my parents were burning in hell, I might strive to go there just be with them, rather than sit in heaven’s luxury. And wouldn’t they be glad to see me in spite of the flames? Furthermore, at what age would they see me, and I them? With these confusions, I prefer to ignore any possible afterlife. Religion for me is here and now.

Regarding religion and morality, I think we agree. Religion is relationship with God; morality is relationship with people.

Religious tendency is not negotiable. It’s what almost all of us are born with. Otherwise we would not see nearly every tribe and culture steeped in some kind of religion. So let’s not debate whether it’s good or bad, and just accept it. Like our tendency for sex, it leads to comforting and harmless activities if not perverted.

What I think about the afterlife destination of unbelievers has little affect on how I treat them, or how Jesus treated them. He said “Love your Enemy” (infidels included). How is that a perversion of religion?

Some religions say that murder is not naughty. They are perversions. I think it is naughty, not because of my religion, but because its naughtiness is obvious. The link between morality and religion may be weaker than you think.

I said no because most Muslims are good people. Their religion helps them be decent citizens, and it gives them comfort. Some of their beliefs are weird, but so are some of yours. My beliefs are normal. Most people seem born with a god-shaped hole in their brains that is only satisfied by religion. So the completion begins; pundits of the gods run for election, some preaching “an eternity of sparklings” for unbelievers. But not all. Some preach love and tolerance, and they are the ones who better the world. Violent sects are perversions of religion. Why are they inevitable?

No, but I'd be happier without the sects of that religion that want to kill infidels.

It took some time, but you're catching on. Just a couple of baby steps to go. Donate to this.

Well check again, the darn thing keeps growing.

what? yawn

Happy to have pleased you

Fill not, then, the mouth of famine, if you fear this, but fill the brains of young ones, not yet bent on gihad, not fully convinced, as their madrasahs wish them to be, that unlike minds should die. Donate to this.

You are right. With my rancher up, poetry slides in second.

Within the voiceless world, I hear a metaphor of the wasteland. It’s not the reality of my life. I entertain myself by trying to be more sympathetic. You are onto something here. We give a dollar, feel better, go on our way. You can do more Voidless Prince. Join me at http://www.hopedevelopment.org/ Send an email to Rashad Javed. Tell him what you told me and ask how you can help. You might be surprised.

I plead insanity!

Line 2 ends with an implied pause, at least I want it to. This leads to the new phrase in Line 3. I can see how you thought they should be part of the same thought, but they’re not. I want the controversy that this poem courts. Thanks for noticing. It’s a harsh Christmas theme, designed to antagonize. Thanks for commenting.