Being a true amateur (as opposed to being amateurish) is a beautiful thing.
What Bible are you reading? Honestly, seeming as you're a poet, I'd have hoped you'd show more respect for a work that lies beneath almost 2000 years worth of art and culture. So, as you can tell, I'm not impressed with your example. I think our points of reference are different. This probably dooms us to continue talking past each other.
I would only add that my loyalty to Christianity (and I haven't always been this way) is down to a few of things. First, I honour the fact that our ancestors found worth in it (well, mine did, I'm not sure of your ethnicity or background). Here I am particularly impressed by the way in which my Celtic forefathers converted en masse without threat or duress. Second, I don't automatically assume that current spiritual or religious fashions are superior to that which came before. Third, I judge a religion on it's ability to produce what I would call holy people (or saints, if you will). Lastly, the Christian existential and metaphysical paradigm is the closest match I've found to the one and only mystical (as opposed to paranormal or spiritual) experience I've had. (In case you're wondering, no, I didn't see Jesus.)
Y'know, I don't really get Zen Buddhism, but I refuse to turn my failure into a universal law!
And that's it. :)
I appreciate your reply, brother. Any poet that calls their self a "professional poet" doesn't understand the value of performing in front of snakes and rocks. So, if that makes me an amateur, then I will continue to sell out only fields filled with those friends of mine. Remember, though, without rocks, there isn't roll, and without snakes, well, Evil doesn't know what to do, nor does health care.
That being said, let me address your points. My ethnicity/background is pretty much my experiences and observations in my life. If I belong to any kind of species, then I would say that I was adopted by snakes. Yes, I have all these human groups/ideologies that I could claim a little fame in, but they are not worth it, spiritually, compared to what snakes have done for me.
Secondly, I agree with you, I don't assume that current spiritual or religious fashions are superior to what came beforehand. However, if your ancestors thought the same way, as Celtics, would they still have become Christians? Christianity is a religion from the Middle East.
Thirdly, I don't judge any religious system by its ability to produce "holy people," or "saints." As a matter of fact, I think that there is great value in many people that are never considered to be laudable or holy at all by any institution, but they are genuine. I almost said "authentic," but for some reason, these days, every asshole thinks that they are "authentic" as long as they speak loudly and get enough social media views.
Lastly, the Christians existential and metaphysical paradigm doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever. Please, would you like to explain it to me? Also, I am interested in your experience that has opened your eyes to this.
As far as Zen Buddhism goes....I agree with you, I don't get it. I work with a lot of potential Zen Buddhists....they sit around and do nothing. I doubt that they are enlightened. Maybe they don't even know that they are Zen Buddhists.