the water people

 One of the toughest things to do in life is to abandon or question your faith. One of the bravest things you might do is assert your position as a sceptic, or worse yet, a non-believer. For what that would mean is committing yourself to lose all your privileges - the kinds that keep you floating. And not only have you sunk your ship deliberately, no boat will take you, and you will have no God to help you grow gills as to survive in the water.

And how ironic is it for the community to ostracise a person for doubting when they preach about love, generosity, and acceptance in the church's pews? Were they alcoholics, recovering addicts, or perhaps an adulterer or someone who violates women, oh if the fates had been kind enough to make them turn to actual sin and not the man-made construct of sinful intellect! Well, the boats would have taken them before their fingers pruned from the salty water. 

For those sins can be masked with poetic and enthusiastic spiritual rebirth, and one must only speak fondly and fervently of God to assume the identity of a healed person - a good person, a forgiven person, a person who can set the sails, raise the flags, steer the boat! While the person who doubts threatens the sanctity of the wood that holds the ship and will not be allowed even a glance at it. 

"Oh, but to doubt is good! 

So long as you return. You must doubt to return more potent in your faith and with testimonies that will awaken many from their sinful slumber! You would not believe how many doubted and returned to be exalted; how many converted and were given blessings immeasurable."

Well, let them! It does not matter to a bleeding person how another has healed. Will you not look at my wounds and help me care for them? Or will you suppose, for the rest of your lives, that your words will suffice? Aha! There's the contradiction. For you preach that faith is not merely words. 

But the sceptic, the doubter, the non-believer, is not regretful, and their skin will soon warm the water. They appreciate the sun, the sky, and the fish they swim with better. And in due time, well be not surprised, when they realise that they have come to love the salty water. And they appreciate the boat you stand on - far better than you ever will. They have learned its curves and grooves and the shade of the wood as the seasons pass, and wade through different seas.

Most importantly, they know that you might never know, but they will never encourage a person to tiptoe on the ledge. Yet, they will be scorned for embracing the person who looks on in desire, who decides to jump off the edge into the water. 

Is it more honourable to perform the identity than it is to act out the principles? For some people, being born in the water is a given, while most have never seen a boat. Yet, all they must do is admire your beauty, marvel at the magnificence of your wooden boat, and you will allow them up, into your warm cabins, not knowing about their unfaithful souls. For all they must do to gain your silly, powerful approval is to preach a few honourable things, and forgiveness is given like food on a silver platter.

Well, be ready for heresy, your claims and accusations of blasphemy! Were I a loving God looking from above, I would rather save the water people and leave the creatures who scorned them. Blinder and truly evil are the ones who feign goodness and righteousness, who clothe themselves with riches not bestowed upon them. Had I a place promised for the people, well, I am unsure that it might be inhabited by ones who share a likeness to the first few from whom it was taken!