Thinking about nontheist Quakers has brought to mind some of my older writings during my spiritual meanderings over the years. Here's a poem I wrote in 1997 called "Chosen One" that questions the belief in an interventionist, personal god.
In a related now, it's nice to see my piece on Quathiests was republished on the nontheist Friends site.
[Thanks for the awesome CC-licensed photo, redbettyblack!]
Chosen One
"I
would like to thank HBO Productions, my trainer Mark Magruder, my
parents for bringing me up to love the Lord, and most of all I would
like to thank God for blessing me and helping me win all my fights." —
Angel Manfredi, junior lightweight boxer
Kind and patient in my ways
But I do love a good fight
Especially when its a bloody one.
The look on Goliath's face!
Times have changed
And battles have lost their glory
But still there is a man
Who fights for his God
So you, Angel Manfredi —
Girded with the trunks of righteousness
The gloves of faith
And the mouthpiece of truth —
You I annoint my champion.
And when you smite your enemies
They will feel my terrible wrath
If you are struck
I will balm your wounds
And when the wicked have fallen
To the mat in disgrace
They will be still
And know that I am God.
©rikpanganiban
February 1997