A powerful piece of lit written by Max Ehrmann. I'm getting all kinds of slams from zealots, telling me I'm going to Hell because I believe in the message.
So I'm asking, specifically, what is wrong w/ it?
It's much shorter than the Bible, so read it before judging. LOL!!
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.
2006-08-20 12:12:22 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, jiggy...not looking for validation. I believe what I believe.
I'm just asking for 'religious' people to explain exactly why they are judging my beliefs.
Kind of a contradiction, isn't it?
Funny how quick people are to argue in this category, but not nearly as quick to "walk their talk".
2006-08-20 12:27:35 · update #1
Most of your fundamentalist christians think that the 'whatever you conceive him to be' is an invitation to believe in something other than their yahweh hallucination, and that it teaches they have to be tolerant of non-christians.
2006-08-20 12:19:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Back in my days as a Sixties Flower Child/Jesus Freak, I had a poster with this message on it. Somehow, I had the idea it was much older than 1952. I think I had the idea back then that it had something to do with the Lost City of Atlantis...LOL, I guess I was rather an imaginative kid.
I see nothing "unChristian" about it at all, in fact, I think Jesus would love it...even that line about being at peace with God, although I'm pretty sure He would point out that God is a spirit, and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth.....
2006-08-20 12:44:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's just your standard, Hallmark card/graduation speech-style advice bit. I think the objections you're getting are about the line "Therefore be at peace with God/ whatever you conceive him to be." some conservative Christian types probably don't like hearing that there are different ways to think about God, and don't agree that people should decide for themselves how to conceive God; they would probably say that there is only one concept of God and that people should look to the Bible and their church leaders to find that one concept, not figure it out on their own.
Probably the most famous line in this poem, though, is "You are a child of the universe...you have a right to be here." Don't let people make you think otherwise.
2006-08-20 12:26:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It does have some very nice/wise things to say, and I wouldn't say that it's all wrong. I'm sorry people are condeming you to Hell, when obviously they are not the ones to judge, God is.
2 things I see that are contradictory to the Chrstian faith are the phrases, "You are a child of the universe..." and "Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be..."
As a Christian, you are not a child of the universe, but a child of God, and the phrase "whatever you conceive Him to be" is somewhat shaky, since it could imply negative things, when God is in fact everything but.
2006-08-20 12:40:08 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was reading your profile after you sent me a reply to my reference to you in another person's question. Then I saw this question.
I think like some people read that one part about God and whatever you conceive Him to be and they had a coronary. Some people are reading too much into that.
I see this as an inspirational poem and to me, it actually puts some things that are in the bible into perspective.
Many Christians write poems similar to this and they are usually what the writer is observing about life and sometimes about God.
I really like the poem.
2006-08-21 11:26:02 · answer #5 · answered by Friend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The piece has many fine and wonderful lines. It is unfortunate that more people don't practice some of the principals of it. Your question as to what is un-christian about it is obvious. It doesn't talk about Christ at all. It is religious relativism. Do you wonder why more people don't practice the lovely sentiment of the poem? It is because we all are bound by our sin, and only Christ can set us free. Best wishes
2006-08-20 12:36:52 · answer #6 · answered by jim t 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its very christ-like.
You have to remember that christianity has become the opposite of what it began as. "Turn the other cheek" has been replaced by support for "shock and awe" bombing campaigns. Thus, anything that agrees with the original version of the religion will be hated by followers of the modern version.
2006-08-20 12:22:41 · answer #7 · answered by Phil S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
y do you need me to validate what you already know? do you think there is anything wrong with this poem? if not why do you care what someone else thinks? be your own judge, and if people dont like it because of their so-called religious beliefs then its because they are actually hypocrites and you shouldn't be listening to them in the first place
2006-08-20 12:23:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
""What, exactly is "un-christian" about this?!?""
It is not UN christian.
It is about as upsetting as eating marshmallows!
""But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.""
WOW ----------powerful.
2006-08-20 12:40:00 · answer #9 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm Southern Baptist and I don't see anything "un-Christian" about the poem. I really like it!
2006-08-20 12:40:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋