I doubt you'll ever read this review. After all, you wrote the poem more than two years ago. I just had to say something--

We weren't ever perfect, Hannah.

Screw it, I wish I was. I want to be perfect more than anything in the world. If murder brought perfection, I might do it. The thing is, though, that you *weren't* there. You didn't see all the petty arguments Bethany and I had, all the misunderstandings between me and Danielle, all the anger that went on Friday at 4. And my faith is so hard, Hannah. Some days I feel like it isn't even there anymore. Some days I don't think I've ever been a Christian at all. I'm such a hypocrite. 24/7 hypocrite.

I love you, Kiwi, because you're you, and I'd love if you could come to know God. The thing is, though, that I'm such a horrible example. So, so awful. I act like grades will get me into heaven. Like boosting my GPA or moving up my class rank will make me worthwhile. I struggle so much. I pray so little. So about those cookie-cutter perfect Christians--if you ever find one, maybe you could introduce her to me and I could find out how the heck she does it. Because I know I don't.

I'm puzzled as to why religion would matter between friends, but then I have attended public school most of my life, so religion stays out of everything anyway.
I myself am a vaguely heretical Catholic, so I take issue with the idea that Christians cannot be 'unique' or 'different'. We do not all have the same beliefs, nor do we all worship God the same way.
However, on the poem itself--it wasn't bad, flowed nicely, but I really think you shouldn't let it bother you so much. My best friends are an athiest and an agnostic.

Peace! Christianity isn't a religion, it's a personal decision of yours and you don't have to follow the "official rules or guidelines" of Christianity to be able to feel like one. For as long as you have a personal relationship with Jesus, it's His grace that will pull you through.
Whenever you feel left out and think that you're so different from your "perfect" friends, just remember that no matter how dirty you feel, God sees the diamond in you. Believe me, that's how much He loves us. Hehehe, I'm sorry if I'm starting to sound preachy, but I just wanted you to know that even if you don't believe in God, He still believes in you. I'll be praying for you. =)

Christians aren't perfect. You make several good points but it seems like you're making religion into a big issue and it's not;what you believe or don't believe is your choice. Your opinion is your own but calling your christian friends "Cookie Cutter Perfect" makes it seem like you resent their decision...it's not your place to resent or put them on a pedestal. As I said before-Christians aren't perfect.
Other than that, it's well written and flows nicely.I've only met one TRUE atheist and that was long ago; he's friends with my youth directors but this does make you seem like you resent your friends. That's not good.
SilentPhobia

I have to face my best friend tomorrow and tell her that I've gone Atheist. Your the first person to depress me on this site. Congrats. I like this. I think I'll know how you feel Tomorrow. For tomorrow I'll have no best friend nor any friends at all.

I understand how you feel, even though I myself am a full-time christian. But one thing I felt needed to be said was that we, as christians, aren't perfect. And christianity isn't a religion, it is a path that you can choose to take.

Hi there... I let this one pass the first time i read it, but I have to say something: That is, there's no such thing as a perfect christian. I have no idea for myself whether I'm religious, or not, haven't figured it out yet. But one thing I have figured out is that the Church as a community doesn't need perfect people, we go there, we participate, because we are imperfect. We need the help. And most of us aren't quite happy, aren't quite healthy (i should know ^_^), and aren't even full of faith or love, we just hope that the want to believe makes god happy, whether he's actually there or not. GR! I know this won't make much sense... i'm kind of walking circles around it. Whether or not you are atheistic, if you live by a set of values, it doesn't make a difference, you are a good person. I've seen you happy, I know you're healthy, and you do have faith, if not in god, then in humanity, and you have love. We've all seen that part of you; everyone who's read even one of your poems has. So you see, you fit right in with them. You already belong. You are an excellent person, just the way you are, and we love you, and want you to feel welcomed, and there is so little difference between us that it doesn't matter. But even with all that, you can feel free to just be you, because then maybe you can be happy, and healthy, and full of faith and love.

Oh yeah, and I hope i wasn't included in the cookie cutter perfect friends line... because i'm not. I'm no clone, don't even have the slightest grasp on life, i just... ahh... ... .. can't talk, because it takes so much work to try to think up anything coherrent... my brain needs serious cobweb removing.

anyway, as confused as i've just made the issue, know that whether or not they understand you, you understand them, whatever, they love you and care about you, and it's obvious you do so in return, so things are good.

aw, poor u, i know how u feel, all my friends r christians and often feel left out. but being individual is what i like most about humanity!

This poem flowed so nicely. Soft and gentle, and yet very solid. Loved it.

"But I can't, because I don't want to lie" - good for you!

*sigh* it's sad that you have the conflicting sides. But it is beautifully written. love you lots,
BB

that was intersting, i like the "cookie cutter perfect friends" part it was good, but i have a question for you, how can one be non-religous? doesn't it bother you that when the world seems to turn on you there's no hope? doen't you just got to believe that there's something better out there? and when good or bad thing happen it's because something neh someone makes it happen, someone with an altimate power?

This happens to me as well. Nice poetry.

I know the feeling.. Nicely written.

i totally know how you feel...they sometimes make me feel terrible too. i love them, but then i see them all happy and faithful and it sucks!! here, you can join my religion and then we can be faithful and happy too. it does get difficult being like the only one in this world who still worships the egyptian gods...anywho, yeah, i feel the same way a lot, but i'm too untalented and moronic to write all of that into a pretty little poem thing. well, this kid is really ** scaring me!! now he's discussing how my hands type too much and why haven't they started bleeding...*shudders and huddles up in malik's arms* he's scary too, but not as creepy as this kid...i think he's on crack or something. aphrodesiac! i don't know if i spelled that write...ah well. i should go now...ciao! see ya in peppers hell. wait! he's not going to be here! YAY! *happy hamster dance* i need to go now. really, i do. bye.

Actually, I understand. Even though I'm a Christian.

Just one thing: Christians aren't perfect (although some act like they are). I may disagree with you on religion, but just because you are an athiest and they are Christians does NOT mean they're any better than you are.

Sierra.