You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
Actually you don't have to be taught any of those things. They are all inate within every human being born alive. The sin nature is present at conception and the sin nature is ego-centric, selfish, wicked and evil from conception. Hate, anger, fear, prejudice is built in and comes to the surface when the inner desires chose to respond or react (James 1).
That is one poem you might want to unpost since it is misleading.
The opposite would be true. We must be taught to love selflessly, we must be taught to trust, particuarly God wihout fear.
I know the intent. We must teach our children the standards of home and God early in order to combat the inante wickedness of our nature.
I loved the poem.
As for the comment above....
"That is one poem you might want to unpost since it is misleading." Wow. You, Brother Know It All, are an IDIOT.
Sorry to deflate your overgrown ego, but you don't have all the answers. You are NOT correct.
I swear, "christians" like you give the rest a bad name.
I agree with you to a point Gregg, but most children learn how to be hateful, racist, sexist, ect...based on what their parents, grandparents, friends, society does..yes we are born with a sinful nature, but you take a child who is raised in a very loving, accepting,respectful christian based home,and you will usually see that child become just that...but take a child who is raised in a non-loving, non-accepting, non-respectful christian home and you will usually see that child become that too! I don't feel it is misleading because it is true to a point...but thanks for your input...That is what is so great about friends we can have differing opinions and still be friends...love ya buddy!
Thank you, Shannon. One of the characteristics of God is Teacher. Teaching is important, and teach we must. First, by learning the Word, and second, by living the Word. Let us live, always repentant and in His grace, to learn an to teach:
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. - Isaiah 50:4
Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. - Proverbs 20:11
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. - Proverbs 22:6
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. - Hebrews 5:12
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. - 2 Timothy 2:24
Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth? - Galatians 4:16
Be edified, Shannon. Speak His Word, in and out of season, for every season is as season of repentance.
Faith, hope, and above all, love.
Thank you for your kind words Butterfly...you are so right! We as Christians must teach others Faith, Hope and Love, and the Gospel message is not about judging others, it is teaching them the ways of Jesus as well as His ultimate message...Salvation! Have a wonderful day sweetie!
Fear seems to be a common theme this morning - I wonder if that means something?
Fear seems to be a common theme this morning - I wonder if that means something?
Hmmm, good question...I had no idea this poem would stir the pot so much...I certainly meant no offense to anyone, it just rings very true to me so I put it up!
Kids see beyond the surface all the time. They make decisions based on personalities all the time - until they are taught prejudice by the adults.
In my class we have kids from 8 different cultures. Friendships are based on mutual likes and dislikes, not on skin colour, religion, birthplace, size,...
Kids are amazing. Love it!
Living in the South, I agree that prejudices are taught.
I loved the poem very much, very thought provoking.
Yvonne,
Did you write this? Really a compelling and thought provoking piece of poetry. Thank you for sharing it.
Post a Comment