An insightful hand-written note from the editor at Blink -- but it's still a rejection. Phoo. Have I had an acceptance this year? I can't remember one.
Too, the steady drip drip drip of negative mail from folks concerned by my blasphemy, heretical tendencies, and general lack of respect for "God and His inerrant word the Bible," is tonight getting me down. (Though the phrase "demonizing God" is laugh-out-loud funny.) Is it possible I'm on some sort of list? Or are there just that many people out there who are genuinely offended, or concerned? It all makes me think about taking this site down.
Go see my daily entry for what *real* hardship is all about, sister. :-)
No acceptances this year, eh? Just a book tour, another possible book deal. You slay me.
But if it matters that much to you, I'll see about getting you off the "Anti-Christ Poets" webring...
Remember, people are pretty much just nuts in general. Add religiosity to the mix and you've got nutty nuttiness.
Tell the anti-blasphemy folk to go learn Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek, to compare the original texts with the current English translations they're reading, and then to get back to you with this "blasphemy" and "inerrancy" stuff.
Nothing you can do about those fundamentalist nuts. Public libraries have them too and they don't take the books they complain about off the shelves. These bible thumpers don't really understand what the Bible, Christ and inspiration is all about Just ignor them and revel in the good comments from those normal people that find your poems inspirational. Your poems bring some of us closer to God!
Anybody who thinks your poems are blasphemous just haven't read them--or the Bible--with close attention. Repay them in kind--with no attention.
Dearest, I have to agree with the other comments here. Your poems are not blasphemous or heretical. You are inspired and inspiring. Keep up the great work, and one of these days someone with publishing power will recognise that. In the meantime, I look forward to each new poem in progress debuted here. Keep up the great work!
I think your poems raise questions and express thoughts and struggles that are honest -- and that they are therefore far more worthwhile than plastic "yay God" rhymes. I don't see you setting out to defame God's name, far from it. I see you as someone who is seeking to understand and appreciate Him.
If Christ Himself didn't reproach John the Baptist for doubting whether He was the Messiah (in fact He spoke highly of him), I fail to see why Christians should make it their business to try and silence writers who are frank about their spiritual questions and difficulties.
erin, your writing almost brings me to belief.
please don't take it down.