Hey guys, I posted a video entitled “Why I hate religion, but love Jesus.” It’s a poem that was written by a man named Jeff Bethke. And I noticed he and his poem have been getting a lot of negative feedback. Granted, maybe some of his wording was of poor choice- but I feel as though many people are overlooking a few things.
Quite simply, Jeff is a poet - a man using an art form to channel observations that he himself has made. He’s not a preacher, and what he is doing is not meant to convert the lost over to Christianity. It’s a poem. It doesn’t have to be clear, concise, or even explain it self…poetry is left for interpretation. Its Jeff’s view/opinion on what HE has seen. So anyone bashing him for not being clear or perhaps using words they feel are too extreme - remember, it’s a poem. Not a speech, not a sermon - a poem. Extreme words may even be placed in those spots where “softer” words could’ve been used in order to convey a totally different emotion or message.
As for those who oppose Christianity and want to bash the video, I want to point out something that is very simple in literature, poetry, or any writing for that matter. There is always an audience that the writer is speaking to. And looking at Bethke’s poem, I feel that he is not speaking to the lost - but more so to those claiming Christianity. Anything can be taken “out of context” and I believe this poem is something that, when misunderstood and taken out of context, can mean something entirely different.
Here is a response my friend put up, and I believe he worded it quite well:
“I personally like this response the best out out of all that I have read thus far. I like his video and I did end up jumping on the bandwagon before looking to closely at the doctrine behind it, but I still agree with a lot of the things he say. The benefit that I appreciated more, though, was that I have been able to open up conversations with others and expand on the points he does make. Bethke is not a pastor nor does he preach a message of salvation, he is just a man who is using an art form to point out some observations that he has made about those who use “religion” as a cloak. I think in some areas he could have used other word, but again this a poem, spoken word and is not meant to change lives but is meant to spark conversations.”
And if you are seeking clarification as to what Jeff is trying to say with his poem, give this article a read. It’s one of the more understanding critiques that I have found.
