today's prayer...[temporary like democritus]...

i've been gearing up these last few days to write something really profound on apostasy as it relates to my ongoing series of self- examination. then i listened to this song and realized nothing i could write could say better what's already been said here.

************

New Test Leper.

I can't say that I love Jesus
That would be a hollow claim.
He did make some observations
And I'm quoting them today.
"Judge not lest ye be judged,"
What a beautiful refrain.
The studio audience disagrees.
Have his lambs all gone astray?

Call me a leper.

"You are lost and disillusioned!"
What an awful thing to say.
I know this show doesn't matter.
It means nothing to me.
I thought I might help them understand
But what an ugly thing to see
"I am not an animal"
Subtitled under the screen.

Call me a leper.

When I tried to tell my story
They cut me off to take a break.
I sat silent, five commercials
I had nothing left to say.
The studio host was index- carded,
All organized and blank.
The other guests were sad and hardened.
What a sad parade.

What a sad parade.
Call me a leper.

- Michael Stipe, R.E.M.
from the New Adventures in Hi- Fi album.