I can pretend no more.  Have I lost my faith?

No.

What has happened?  Have I divorced myself from myself?

Possibly.

I have only concluded upon, perhaps confirmed upon, to be more accurate;
This bane known as religion.  

This acid that trickles still through society’s veins.
This riotous poison that massacres routinely in holy names.

I used to balk at Dawkins,
Cringe at Hitchens, and
Sneer at Sagan.  Until.  Until veils were lifted and earplugs were bored out; and I come to Understand the necessity of these and other like voices--
Their convictions.
Legitimacy.

This religion.  It wants to ride on the back of my faith,
And attempt to undermine conviction--
Oh I’m baptized!
Oh I’m good!
Oh I speak in tongues.
I’m-a going to heaven.

And I say enough.

Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust.
That is what we know for sure.

Strychnine.
Ricin.
Cyanide.  The three majors--all claiming God their own.
Dividing the world, stymieing potential, and spoon feeding fear.

Ashes to ashes--
Dust to dust--
What is true from here
To Earth’s molten core…

I am in divorce...

My facets of faith seeking separation;
Seeking my grand extrication,
Finding that liberation,
From the aggravating clutches of
Religion.

Ashes to ashes,
Dust to dust.