The Atheist Bus
Several years ago the Humanist Society funded a series of signs on buses in the cities of this country,which had a message, "There probably is no God!" This is a response to this.
The Atheist Bus comes up the High Street with its message on its side.
A message paid by humanists so that religion they can deride.
In large bold letters, there's a message for those who are in strife.
"There probably is no God!" it says, "So stop worrying and enjoy life!"
Mervyn reads it, as he staggers home, shopping bags full.
Hoping his partner has not soiled herself again, then wiped it on the wall.
Each day is one of cleaning, feeding, watching her fade away.
An anonymous line of carers come, but never have time to stay.
He keeps on looking after her, because she is his wife.
"But that's OK," the bus sign say,"because now you can enjoy life!"
Susie reads the words as she huddles in her doorway.
It was the third time in rehab, then she ran away.
For as every desperate fix she takes, leaves less of a high.
Despite the facts, she hopes the next will give her wings to fly.
She hates her life, her pain, as she cuts the powder with her knife.
"There probably is no God," the bus it says," go on, enjoy life!"
Carol reads the words as she clocks off from another dreary day.
Her flat will be empty, as it has been since He went away.
The gas fire, dinner for one and the soaps, cannot atone.
For the silence of singleness that means she always eats alone.
Her bed becomes the dreaming place, where she is still someone's wife.
"There probably is no God! Stop worrying! Enjoy life!"
All along the High Street the bus proclaims it's message of no God.
Some who read it laugh. Whilst others think it's odd,
Thar imagining no God should make everything alright,
When offers them no comfort and there is no hope in sight.
The Atheist Bus returns to Depot, leaving them no choice.
Whilst Jesus Waits patiently for the lost to hear his voice.
"Come to me, all who are weary.
Come to me, all who fear the worst.
I can offer you still waters,
I can help you with your thirst.
I can offer up forgiveness,
For those who think they've failed the test.
In the community of my family,
I will give you rest!"
Darkness
Where can they go in their darkness?
The patient who lies in intensive care, wondering if their next breath will be their last.
The wife is sits at home hoping to hear their loved ones voice again.
The father who checks their online account, not knowing how is going to feed his kids.
So many others who live in the shadow of hurt,of fear, of shame.
Where can you go in your darkness?
Not to those who sit in judgement and offer reasons why you went astray.
Not to those who offer platitudes and tell you not to worry everything will be ok!
Not to those who sing cheerful songs of praise to cover up the helplessness they feel.
Not to a God who sits in heaven and makes moral rules that are impossible to obey?
Where can I go in my darkness?
Only to one who hung in agony at Golgotha, mocked by the righteous, pitied by the flawed.
Who in his darkest hour created light, beared the bitterness of a world in pain.
Somehow, in an act I only dimly understand,
Paid off evil,
Conquered fear.
Healed shame.
By his broken body offered us his presence.
Brought us strength to face our darkness,
Gave us hope again.
Hold Me
Lord, the darkness is so dense,
My path is hard to see.
I don't need instructions, shouted out.
I just want you to hold me.
I ‘m promised there's a happy place,
Where all my hopes will come to be.
But now I'm lost, that home seems far away.
Please don't just promise, hold me.
Lord, I have seen wonders you have given.
In Past times, I rejoiced in all I see.
Now times have changed and things are hard.
Please just take my hand and hold me.
It was never meant, things always would go well.
You never promised a Disneyland to be.
But you did promise you would never leave!
So here you are, just hold me.
(written at the 24 hour prayer day in Clapham)
