Poetry With A Mission

Introduction

Yes, humanity.

This page is partly made up of capitalised alternative poems, of which only three have been titled, and for a particular reason (given that I normally don't give such a title).

First the introduction,
and then:
The Wounding And Taking Of Life, marked by an army helmet emoji.
The two poems on Armageddon are found here (for those who're interested).
These particular poems are solely built around GAZA, and under such are four related articles.

"Devalue one person and you devalue all."

"The value we place on human life reveals our soul."

"Where human beings are seen as expendable, we soon see the reprehensible."

"Where love and the sanctity of life are deficient, every atrocity, evil and corruption awaits, and
where love and the sanctity of life are absent, every atrocity, evil and corruption exists."

"Life is only as precious as it's valued, and only as safe as it's protected."

"Excuses for killing aren't permission to kill."

"The issues of life on planet Earth affect us all, and why united we stand and divided we fall."
The poet, author

IF WE HAVE ALWAYS STAYED ON THE SIDE OF GOOD AND RIGHT, WE COULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN
A MORE BRIGHTER LIGHT, NOR CHOSEN A MORE NOBLE GOAL, THUS REVEALING THE INNER BEAUTY
OF OUR SOUL, OUR HEART AS CLEAR AS DAY, NOT DIM AND DARK LIKE SHUT-EYE NIGHT.

WE WAX LYRICAL ABOUT HUMANITY, BUT OH, THAT HORRIBLENESS OF PARTIALITY, THUS MOST HARDLY LOVERS OF HUMANITY, BUT MORE LOVERS OF WHO TAKES THEIR FANCY, AND ALL WHY WE SEE CONCERN OVER UKRAINIANS, AND A LACK OF IT OVER PALESTINIANS, HENCE THAT SANCTIONED SLAUGHTER, THAT WICKED, INDISCRIMINATE MORTAR, WHICH SPEAKS VOLUMES, I HAVE TO SAY, THOUGH PLAYED OUT EVERY DAY, WE PICKING AND CHOOSING, THUS SOMEONE GAINING AND SOMEONE LOSING, WE LOVING THIS PERSON AND HATING THAT PERSON, AND SO IT GOES, WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS, A LOVE THAT'S BADLY FLAWED, PRETTY MUCH KEPT FOR THOSE WHO'RE ADORED, NOT THOSE WHO HAVEN'T SCORED, OUR ONE TO TEN A SAD AFFAIR, WHICH SO MANY OUT THERE HAVE TO BEAR.

LOVE IS EITHER LOVE OR IT'S NOT — IT'S NOT ONE TO TEN, FIVE AND THEN STOP, SAY, BUT ALL THE WAY,
AND SO, WHICH ALL SHOULD KNOW, OUR LOVE IS NOT TRULY LOVE UNTIL WE VIEW EVERYONE'S LIFE AS SACROSANCT, REGARDLESS OF THEIR COLOUR, CULTURE, RELIGION, GENDER OR RANK.

HUMANITY: CREATION'S CROWNING GLORY, AND YET, A MOST TRAGIC, UNFOLDING AND
UNRAVELLING STORY (ONE HISTORICALLY HOARY), BECAUSE WHAT COULD'VE BEEN, IS ACTUALLY FAR
FROM WHAT'S SEEN — YES, A VERY DIFFERENT SCENE, THUS ON ONE SIDE CORRUPTION, AND ON THE
OTHER, WAR, IT BOTH WICKEDLY CRUEL AND FAR FROM GREEN, ALONG WITH THE GENERAL VIOLENCE THAT'S SEEN, AND THUS THE WORLD AWASH WITH MURDEROUS KILLING, INDISCRIMINATE SHELLING,
WHICH, ON THE ONE HAND IS CONDEMNED, AND ON THE OTHER, SANCTIONED, AND THERE'S A LOT OF
TALK BUT LITTLE OR NO ACTION, AND HAMPERING ANY TRACTION, IS THE SILENCING OF VOICES, THE REMOVING OF CHOICES, AND ADDING TO THE MIX, HYPOCRISY, AND UNDER SERIOUS THREAT, DEMOCRACY, WE IN A DIRE SITUATION, WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS PLAGUING NATION AFTER NATION, AND WHEN
WILL IT ALL END, OR WHERE WILL IT ALL END?

"When leaders seek to control, rather than serve (as should be the case), they set themselves up
for what they deserve, having had a nerve, and why the consequences they should face."
The poet, author

A Work Of Art

Humanity is picturesque tapestry, we all threads in that artistry,
Thus creatively woven together via origin and earthly ancestry.
Oh yes, we making up the very fabric of every day society,
As if needles with our own cotton, and gifted with a certain dexterity.

We all being different colours, shapes and sizes, personal embroidery,
And yet, we all being a part of the whole, and as if knitting humanity.
And thus we weaving in and out of the lives of others, purposely and deftly,
Life providing the material, but we the creators of that tapestry.

By Lance Landall

The Magnolia Tree

Come spring, and oh, what lovely blossoms we see, like those pinkish ones on the magnolia tree,
But you know, they no sooner here than gone, and how of our human lifespan they so remind me,
And thus the thought, that just as we cherish those blossoms, we should cherish each human blossom too,
'Cause they too, are no sooner here than gone, their presence simply for a season, such sad but true.

And what varying blossoms we see, be they those on a tree or those forming humanity,
Each one making up the whole, a colourful bouquet, but each, only momentarily,
'Cause each blossom only has its day, its short season in the sun, and then it’s gone forever,
And hence why we should value each one, and far more so each human, whoever and wherever.

And for that matter, appreciating the blossom that we are — yes, that miracle of birth,
And how not just others, but we too, in our own way, adorn same hills, valleys and plains of Earth,
And how, come our exit, there’ll never be another blossom the very same, and thus why we
Should rejoice in our uniqueness, and in that of others too-cum-human creativity.

So when looking upon those blossoms that burst forth each spring, let’s look with eyes anew, and heart too,
Mindful of each human blossom — in other words, we minding those things that we think, say and do,
'Cause every blossom is precious — yes, it making up the whole, and hence that beauty we see
When looking at the likes of the magnolia tree, or via different lens, humanity.

By Lance Landall

That Human Shop

What’s a human worth? Do we choose your scales or mine, attach your price tag or mine,
And if they were returned, would there be some dissatisfaction form to sign?
Or might we refuse such returns, pointing to this or that, some damage, maybe,
Something that cancels a refund, voids our judgmental, self-righteous warranty?

Or we may not give a full refund, even talking in terms of an exchange,
Our justifications for such covering quite a personalised range.
And if we did grudgingly take them back, would their price be altered, they worth less,
A case too oft featuring in this sad old world, which honesty must confess.

Yes, their worth determined in the court of fickle human opinion, and worse
If due to their colour, religion, or gender, or those private wounds we nurse.
Yes, anger, hatred, revenge, or prejudice bringing down our gavel, whereby
Others are duly sentenced, worth less, little, or nothing, or so our acts oft cry.

Hence this world’s killing fields too, those city, suburban assaults, or secret thoughts
(Equally as murderous), all courtesy of those many and varied sad courts.
Our price ticketing guns ignorantly or arrogantly clicking away,
As if their worth is decided by us, who via words or actions, wound or slay.

Yes, we trying people out like a pair of shoes, and weighing them in our eyes,
Discarding them, despatching them, or trying to make them fit our taste and size.
In other words, we remaking them in our image, as if they’re not equal,
Thus that human shop needing to close down, it responsible for so much ill.

By Lance Landall

Repeated poem.

They're All The Same To Me

I don’t care whether someone’s rich, poor, black, white, a waiter, surgeon, Muslim, Jew, atheist or Christian,
'Cause they’re all the same to me — humanity — brothers and sisters; and as far as my circle goes, still in,
'Cause all belong in this world, none less worthy, nor higher or lower, and I thus there should they call on me,
'Cause that’s how things should be, just how I would like them to treat me, and given we’re all one big family.

So I'll not betray them, kick them when they're down, gossip behind their back, stab them in the back, hold them back,
Nor lay a hand on them, fool them, rob them, mock, threaten or manipulate them, nor get my own back,
'Cause what would such say, and all it would do is, drag me down to a level that wouldn't benefit me,
A level I’ll not sink to, 'cause it’s just a dead-end street, something that works against rather than for, sadly.

I don’t care where they’re from, nor what their past was like, or whether they’re short, tall, slim, fat, cross-eyed or ugly,
'Cause they’re all the same to me — humanity — brothers and sisters, worthy of thought, time, love, care and mercy.
So on their behalf I'll speak, hoping that they'll do the same for me; and if they don't, it still won't stop me,
I thus true to myself, conscience clear, actions transparent and impartial, thus acting honourably.

I’ll decide for myself what they're like, not what I’m told, letting them defend them self, and overtime grow,
Given that we all err, ebb and flow, deserve another chance; and as for others, what do we really know?
Hence why I won’t label or pigeonhole them, misjudge them, cruelly joke, whether they’re three or ninety three,
And why on their behalf I'll battle, 'cause everyone's deserving of the same freedom and liberty.

I don’t care whether they're liberal or conservative, a meat-eater, vegan, prostitute or tramp,
'Cause they’re all the same to me — humanity — brothers and sisters, whether in this camp, that camp, or camp,
'Cause all are precious, and the greater their need, the greater my response, 'cause the test of our decency
Are the misunderstood, different, disadvantaged, vulnerable, suffering and minority.

By Lance Landall

The poem above is simply referring to the love that we should have for all, and yet, fall so far short of.
This poem was upgraded on 20 November 2023.

Humanity Is Tested By:

How it looks after its planet (habitat).
How it treats its own kind (fellow humans).
How it treats creatures that it's superior to, and that it has ultimate control over.
How it behaves in positions of authority, leadership and responsibility.
How it operates in all its dealings.
How it responds to foes within humanity, and those who behave unacceptably.
How committed it is to self improvement; and what it ultimately seeks to acheive.
How gratefully it responds to its very existence, how highly it esteems human life, and certainly in my mind, its Creator.

A book worth checking out:
Signature In The Cell, DNA and the evidence for intelligent design, by Stephen C. Meyer.

The Essence

What's the essence of humanity,
Is it kindness or brutality,
Nobleness or criminality,
Loveliness or the unsavoury,
All that's good or all that's contrary,
And all that's you, or all that is me,
Or a blend of inconsistency,
What others might call hypocrisy,
A natural bent, sad tendency,
A corrupted picture that we see,
A wayward, fallen humanity,
Out of sync, and not in harmony?

A LIFE IS NOT A BODY, BUT A SOMEBODY, A PERSON, ONE WHO THINKS, HEARS, SEES AND FEELS — YES, A PERSON, ONE WHO SLEEPS, WORKS, PLAYS AND EATS THREE SQUARE MEALS, BUT MORE THAN THAT, MUCH MORE THAN THAT, ONE WHO DREAMS, PLANS AND CREATES, ONE WHO GROWS, CHANGES AND DATES — YES, A SOUL WHO FINDS A SOULMATE, ONE WHO'S ABLE TO RELATE, THEY BOTH THEIR VERY OWN SELF THOUGH, AN INDIVIDUAL, NOT A BODY, NOT A SHELL, OH NO, BUT ASOMEONE, AND DEEP WITHIN THEM, A WELL, A WELL OF EXPERIENCES AND INFLUENCES, THINGS SEEN, THINGS HEARD, THINGS READ, AND IN THEIR HEAD, KNOWLEDGE, AND IN THEIR HEART, EMOTIONS, THEIR BODY BUT A FACE, AND HOW WE TRACE, THEIR COMING AND GOING, THEIR AGING AND SLOWING, UNTIL THEY CEASE TO BE, A MEMORY.

Once

Once we use our mind to plot some ill,
Our power to force another's will,
Or lift a hand to harm or kill,
We show that all within is not well,
That our soul we have chosen to sell,
And all how love sits silent and still,
Warmth having given way to a chill,
And in the heart, no longer a thrill.

WE'RE THE PRODUCT OF OUR HEAD AND HEART, AND THUS OUR INNER DECOR TATTY, OR A WORK OF ART, AND WHO SHOULD WE PRAISE, OR WHO SHOULD WE BLAME, 'CAUSE WHAT'S YOUR NAME, OR DO YOU LET OTHERS DO YOUR DECORATING, INSTALL THE FURNITURE, AND THUS THEIR IMAGE AND THINGS CREATING, 'CAUSE THERE WOULD GO YOU, THAT SOMEONE YOU ONCE KNEW, AND YOU THUS LEFT A COPY, NOT AN ORIGINAL, BUT A FOLLOWER OF FASHION, NOT YOUR OWN PASSION, AND AS GOOD THAT COPY MIGHT BE, GONE WOULD BE YOUR INDIVIDUALITY, AND ALL WHY WE SHOULD DO OUR OWN DECORATING, AND THUS HOPEFULLY CREATING, THE VERY BEST ONE AND ONLY ME AND YOU — YES, A LIVING DWELLING WITH A PERSONAL VIEW, EXPRESSED BY THAT DECOR THAT'S ESPECIALLY ME OR YOU.

OUR EYES, EARS AND MOUTH ARE LIKE DOORS, GOVERNED BY NATURAL LAWS — CAUSE AND EFFECT, ACTUALLY — LEST WE’RE CORRUPTED OR POLUTTED, SADLY, AND THAT IS, VIA WHAT WE IMBIBE, HEAR OR SEE, AND ALL WHY THOSE DOORS SHOULD BE CLOSED TO CERTAIN THINGS, FROM WHICH, CONTAMINATION OR ILL HEALTH SPRINGS, THUS GUARDING BOTH BODY AND SOUL, AND THEREBY, CARING FOR THE WHOLE.

YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE IN MORALITY, BUT YOU SHOULD, BECAUSE IN A WORLD WHERE THERE'S LITTLE MORALITY, THERE GOES GOOD, AND ALL HOW WE CAN BECOME THE VICTIMS OF NOT JUST CORRUPTION BUT BRUTALITY, THOSE IN AUTHORITY ONLY AS GOOD AS THEIR CHARACTER, YOU SEE, AND WHERE THERE'S BAD CHARACTER, THERE'S THE LIKES OF TORTURE, SOME SANCTIONED ATROCITY, SECRET PRISON WHERE JUSTICE IS SEEN TO FLEE — YES, HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, PROPAGANDA IN THE FORM OF EXCUSES, THE INNOCENT WRONGLY NAMED AND SHAMED, MURDERED OR MAIMED, PRINCIPLES, STANDARDS AND VALUES SHOWN THE DOOR, MORALITY BEING SOMETHING THAT BAD CHARACTER'S SEEN TO IGNORE, AND ALL WHY TOTAL MORALITY SHOULD BE THE BENCHMARK OF ALL, OUR FIRST PORT OF CALL.

CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE, CAN'T AFFORD TO DIE, AND THAT'S THE TRUTH OF IT FOR MANY, MORE THAN MANY, THE TRAGEDY OF IT, THE UNFAIRNESS OF IT, THE WRONG OF IT, 'CAUSE EVEN ONE'S DEATH COSTS TOO MUCH, AND SUCH, BUT AN INSULT, ANOTHER HARSH AND CRUEL ASSAULT, AND AT THE WORST OF TIMES TOO — WELL, GIVEN THOSE LEFT TO GRIEVE, AND WHO THAT HEFTY BILL MAY RECEIVE, AND THIS, ON TOP OF THEIR DAILY GRIND, WHERE ANY MONEY IS HARD TO FIND, THE COST OF LIVING SCANDALOUS, THE COST OF SERVICES SCANDALOUS — YES, THOSE DOCTOR AND DENTAL BILLS, ALONG WITH OTHER ILLS — AND FOR EXAMPLE, RENT, RATES, INSURANCE, REPAIRS (HENCE THAT TRADESMAN'S SKILL) — AND THE LIST GOES ON, THUS MONEY SOON GONE, AND ALL WHY ONE CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE, CAN'T AFFORD TO DIE, AND HENCE MY CRY, THAT MORE PEOPLE MIGHT HELP, SHARE AND GIVE.

IF THERE'S ONE THING WE SEE GROWING, IT'S ANXIETY AND FEAR, THIS WORLD FULL OF PLANET WRECKERS AND DICTATORIAL MONSTERS WHO HURT, HARM AND SCARE — YES, THOSE WHO WOUND AND KILL, MORE INNOCENT BLOOD SPILL, AND WHO EVEN TRY TO JUSTIFY THEIR EVIL, AND SOMEHOW MANAGE TO AVOID JAIL, AND HENCE THAT WAIL, BUT RELIEF AND JUSTICE OFTEN ABSENT, OR AT BEST, ARRIVING TOO LATE, AND HENCE THAT STATE, THOSE MEANTIME CONSEQUENCES, CONTINUED OFFENSES, IT ALL A TRAGEDY, AND YET, WE ALL HUMANITY, NOT THAT ONE WOULD THINK SO, THERE SEEMINGLY MANY A FOE, BOTH OFFENDERS AND AGENDAS, THE SELFISH AND NARROW FOCUSSED, IT ALL SO SAD, "LOVE YOU MUM AND DAD, BUT NOT HIM OR HER, JUST WHO I PREFER," OR SO SEEMS TO BE THE CASE — OH, THE HUMAN RACE, FALLEN HUMANITY, FAR FROM THE HEAVENLY, UNTIL THERE'S A CHANGE OF HEART AND MIND, BUT SUCH MOST NOT WANTING TO SEE, LET ALONE BE, I FIND.
YES, WE'RE LIVING IN A WORLD THAT'S AT WAR WITH ITSELF, AND YET, WE'RE ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE, THUS FACING AN INSIDE THREAT, DESPITE BEING DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER, AND PLANET WISE, THERE'S NOT ANOTHER, SO WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE DOING, AND WHO SUCH FOLLY IS PURSUING? — YES, IT'S MADNESS, INSANITY, FALLEN HUMANITY.

A LIFE IS NO ONES TO VIOLATE, AND NO ONES TO TAKE, DESPITE ANY EXCUSES SOME MIGHT MAKE
— LOVE, NOBILITY, INTEGRITY, SENSE AND DECENCY NOT CROSSING THAT LINE, THUS SHOWING SPINE —
A LIFE A LIFE, NOT A THING, AND WHY WHEN SEEN OTHERWISE, ILL AND EVIL ARE SURE TO SPRING, AND WHY IN ORDER TO PRESERVE LIFE, PROTECT LIFE AND ENHANCE LIFE, ALL LIVES MUST BE TREATED WITH RESPECT, WHICH ONE SHOULD NATURALLY EXPECT, BECAUSE LIVES AREN’T MADE OF WOOD AND STONE, BUT FLESH AND BONE, THUS LIVING, BREATHING, MOVING, THINKING AND CREATING, AND HENCE WHY I'M STATING, THAT LIFE IS THE ESSENCE OF THIS WORLD, AND WHY ITS PRECIOUSNESS SHOULD BE UPHELD, PLUS EACH HUMAN IS A UNIQUE BEING, WHICH SAD TO SAY, MANY DON'T SEEM TO BE SEEING, HENCE THEIR VIOLATIONS, DESTRUCTIVE CREATIONS, HUMANS AT WAR WITH EACH OTHER, WOUNDING OR KILLING THEIR FELLOW SISTER OR BROTHER — THAT IS, GIVEN THAT WE'RE ALL RELATED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, AND CERTAINLY VIA HUMANITY'S UMBILICAL CORD, TOO OFTEN SEVERED BY HATRED OR SWORD, A TRAGEDY BEYOND BELIEF, THE CAUSE OF SO MUCH UNHAPPINESS AND GRIEF, BUT WHEN WILL WE LEARN, AND FROM SUCH UNENLIGHTENED AND UNCIVILISED WAYS TURN, THUS NO LONGER TURNING ON OUR OWN (AS IF FOES OF HUMANITY), BUT DEALING WITH THAT HEART OF STONE, THAT CEMENT IN VARIOUS STAGES OF HARDNESS, OR DEGREES OF THICKNESS, AND HENCE MY CALL FOR QUICKNESS, THIS WORLD A BLOODBATH, A PLANET FULL OF HURT AND PAIN, AND THUS ALL OVER HUMANITY, BOTH A SELFISH AND CALLOUS HISTORIC AND CONTEMPORARY STAIN, AND WE STILL WEARING THOSE DIRTY CLOTHES — IN FACT, HANDING DOWN THOSE DIRTY CLOTHES, AND ALL WHY THERE’S NO END IN SIGHT TO OUR WOES.

"The excuses for murder are many, but as far as justification goes, there isn't any."
The poet, author

"Hands Off Everyone!"

Midst it all, and the sides that have been taken, is what’s really concerning here,
And that is, the harming and taking of any life, and why aghast I stare.
All why even in self defence we should seek to minimise the above, and
Always think in terms of a ceasefire, thus lessening any blood on our hand.

Human life isn’t rubber, wood or steel, but flesh and bone, thus we all the same,
Arriving on Earth via pro-creation, answering to a personal name.
A life a life, in other words, which where not respected, endangers us all,
And why “Hands off everyone!” should be every person’s and nation’s call.

This world’s too full of excuses for harming and killing — man, woman, or child —
When over such, like seen in Ukraine and Gaza, everyone should be wild.
Yes, what was seen in Israel too, but more so where harm and killing’s increased,
We thus smarter at preserving life than currently adding to the deceased.

Be one Jewish or Palestinian, enough is enough, forget revenge,
Or war as an answer, both being a mentality older than Stonehenge,
And so too that “No ceasefire” with its oh so generous collateral hits,
And which, with the sickening terms genocide and war crimes, just as snugly fits.

Oh yes, wars always leaving a mess behind, both a human and planet toll,
A cost we shouldn’t accept, a cost we can’t afford, and war having no soul.
And oppression creating violent resistance, yet we don’t seen to learn,
And just like dogs return to their vomit, so too, fools to their folly, who burn.

To not stop bloodshed and destruction where we’re able, makes us a criminal,
And turns an outwardly looking saint into an inwardly callous devil.
Human life sacrosanct, and our planet fragile, but differently some see
Whose sad actions show little regard for both this planet and humanity.

Either we’re into love and human rights or not, and for everybody!
And if we are, we’ll be stopping that evil flow of money and weaponry.
And thereby, we allowing many more to live who otherwise wouldn’t, who
Deserve to live as much as we, and why the RIGHT thing is what we ALL should do.

By Lance Landall

“If a man loses reverence for any part of life, he will lose reverence for all life.”
Albert Schweitzer

This poem was penned 18 February 2024.

TELL ME, WHAT DOES A LITTLE TWO YEAR OLD, EVEN A FIVE YEAR OLD, REALLY KNOW, TRULY UNDERSTAND, SO WHY SHOULD THEY SUFFER, WHY SHOULD THEY DIE, AND IN THEIR OWN RIGHTFUL LAND, AND OF ALL THINGS, AT SOME ENEMY’S HAND?
AND THEREFORE, WHO WOULDN'T SHOUT "STOP!", FOR THEIR SAKE, FOR HUMANITY'S SAKE? — IT ALL OUT OF HAND — AND WHY SHOULD THEY LOSE THEIR MUM OR DAD? — IT CHRONICALLY SAD, A SITUATION THAT SHOULDN'T BE, AND THAT DESTRUCTION OF A FAMILY.
WARS ARE SUCH AN EVIL THING, SUCH A CRAZY THING, SUCH A POINTLESS THING, AND ANYTHING SEEMS TO GO — AFTER ALL, IT IS WAR, ROTTEN TO THE CORE — BUT HEY, WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN, "NO!"
OH, THE POOR LITTLE MITES, MIDST ALL THOSE HORRID SIGHTS, THE SHOCKING WOUNDS, THE HIGH-PITCHED SCREAMS, THE COPIOUS TEARS, THE ENGULFING DUST, THE INFESTED DIRT, THE CHEMICAL SMOKE, THAT PAIN THAT SEARS, AND ALL THOSE STILL BODIES, AND WHY I HOLLER, "PLEASE! NOT THE CHILDREN!," THEIR LIFE BARELY BEGUN, THOUGH NO ONE, NO ONE, SHOULD EXPERIENCE THE EVIL OF SWORD, BOMB OR GUN, ANY ATROCITY DONE.
YES, SOLDIERS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THEIR CHARACTER, AND TOO MANY ARE JUST DOING WHAT THEY'RE TOLD, THEY EITHER IGNORANT, INDIFFERENT, SEARED OF CONSCIENCE, OR NOT PREPARED TO PAY THE PRICE, THUS COWARDLY WEAK RATHER THAN HEROICALLY BOLD, AND HENCE THAT THROW OF THE DICE, IT YOUR CHILD OR MY CHILD, AS IF A YOUNG LIFE'S NO BIG THING, AND THUS ROUND THOSE SOLDIERS AND COMMANDERS, A LARGE AND BLOODY RING.
OH, THE EMOTIONAL SCARS LEFT ON THE MINDS OF THOSE CHILDREN WHO SURVIVE, SOME WONDERING IF THEY REALLY ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE — WELL, GIVEN THAT THEIR LIFE HAS BEEN BADLY AFFECTED, THUS SERIOUS ISSUES EXPECTED, AND ANGER OFTEN PLOTTING REVENGE, BEGETTING A NEW RECRUIT, ENSURING MORE BAD FRUIT, AND WHY THE ILL OF IT ALL NEEDS TO CEASE, NOW!

"These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:16-19, NKJV).

"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue
the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:3,4, NIV).

LITTLE CHILDREN ARE HAUNTED BY THEIR PARENT'S MARITAL BREAKUP, THAT AGE-OLD BITTER CUP, BUT NOTHING HAUNTS LITTLE CHILDREN MORE THAN LIVING THROUGH A WAR, THOSE DREADFUL THINGS THEY FELT AND SAW, AND ALL WHY IN THEIR EYES THERE'S ANXIETY AND FEAR, WHICH ON THEIR BODIES TOO, THEY'RE SO OFTEN SEEN TO WEAR — YES, PHYSICAL WOUNDS, I MEAN, YET THEY PLAYING NO PART IN THAT SCENE, TOO YOUNG AND INNOCENT, AND SIMPLY THERE BY DINT, THOUGH DESTINED TO SUFFER THEREAFTER, SO MUCH SADNESS BEHIND ANY LAUGHTER, IF THERE IS ANY LAUGHTER.

TELL ME, WHO OR WHAT DETERMINES WHAT A LIFE IS WORTH — IN OTHER WORDS, HUMANITY?
IS IT YOU OR I, OR SOMEONE ELSE? IS IT SOME LEADER, A GROUP, NATION, OR RELIGION, AND IF SO, WHY?
OR IS IT A MOMENT OF ANGER, A DESIRE FOR REVENGE? PERHAPS A BULLET, GRENADE, BOMB, OR BLADE? AND SAY, ARE WE HUMANS OR ANIMALS, ANGELS OR DEVILS? DO WE UPHOLD OR REJECT COMPASSION AND MERCY? DO WE INCREASE OR DECREASE ILLS? ARE WE HEADING UP OR DOWN, GOING FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS? DO WE SEE OR NOT SEE?

Moscow Concert Hall, March 2024

What those terrorists did in Moscow was undoubtedly shockingly evil,
But you know, so too was the authorities’ response — yes, it too, wrong and ill.
And thereby, such revealing the same sickness, same inhumanness, within them,
And why both that mass murdering and that brutal torturing all should condemn.

Yes, there’s no question that those terrorists should be punished, whatever that be
(A life sentence or execution), but when we respond as sickeningly,
Via beating them, torturing them, or some other diabolical cruelty,
We’re no better, just as bigger monsters, and thus soon gone our morality.

We can light candles, make the sign of a cross on our chest, but that won’t get us far,
Because that same sad mentality shouts that religious hypocrites we are.
Our path to Heaven as surely torpedoed as that of those cruel terrorists,
And any who indulge in vengeful thoughts, or who wrongly turn to guns or fists.

Or is our religion askew, allowing for such, covering it somehow,
And how to the scandal of errant indoctrination and tradition some bow.
We either above animal brutality or not, ’cause there’s no half way,
We either loving, humane and just, or just as satanically astray.

Yes, what those terrorists did was brutal, but beating and torturing them? No,
Someone having to set the example — us — or moral corruption we show.
Those terrorists probably indoctrinated from birth, and thus victims too,
And how many Gazans may join the ranks of Hamas? “Almighty vengeance” askew.

Oh yes, paths are often set by this or that, and hence why it’s our clear duty
To try to turn people around, and this where turning the other cheek has beauty.
Revenge and torture hardly changing hearts and minds, and bloodlust but a curse, and
Not excused by God above, which the likes of Putin just doesn’t understand.

And he’s not alone here, because many cling to the old rather than the new,
That enlightenment that comes with a better understanding, changed point of view.
What once took place, in its time and place — context — might be one thing, but not today,
’Cause surely we know far better, and thus a higher form of thinking obey.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned 26 March 2024.

WHETHER ONE IS PRO-GAZA OR PRO-ISRAEL, SAY, LOVE, WISDOM, SENSE AND UNDERSTANDING SHOULD PREVAIL, SAVE THE DAY, AND BY THAT I MEAN, NONE OF US SHOULD BE COMPLICIT IN THAT TRAGIC SCENE, PARTICULARLY THAT "NO CEASEFIRE" CALL, BUT RATHER, SHOUTING "STOP!", BECAUSE IT DOES NEED TO STOP — YES, IT ALL, AND THEREFORE, THAT BEING THE ONLY SIDE TO TAKE, AND THUS A PILGRIMAGE THAT ALL SHOULD TAKE, BECAUSE THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY HAS ALWAYS BEEN HISTORY'S SAD WAY, SOME ON THIS SIDE, SOME ON THAT SIDE, AND THUS VIOLENCE ALWAYS HAVING ITS SUPPORTERS, TOO BAD ABOUT THOSE MURDERED MEN AND WOMEN, THOSE SONS AND DAUGHTERS, OR SO IT SEEMS, IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE SOME END — NEVER THE WAY, OF COURSE, IT CLEARLY THE WRONG HORSE — AND WHY SUCH, WE SHOULD NEVER DEFEND, BUT RATHER, HURRIEDLY DIVORCE.
AND SO, ONE EITHER SHOUTING "STOP!" OR "NO CEASEFIRE!", THE LATTER AKIN TO HATE SPEECH GIVEN THAT IT GIVES THAT SAME OLD ARM MORE REACH, AND WHICH THEREBY SHOWS OUR ACCEPTANCE WHERE THERE SHOULD BE NO ACCEPTANCE, BUT A TOTAL FLAT "NO!"

"A ceasefire is outrageous."
Mike Johnson, speaker of the US House of Representatives.

It's Not Us

It’s not us who revel in weapons and war.
It’s not us who take innocent lives.
It’s not us who rapes, maims and kills.
It’s not us who cruelly experiments and tortures.
It’s not us who deals in deception and propaganda.
It’s not us who seeks to force and silence.
It’s not us who removes liberty and freedom.
It’s not us who seeks to control humanity.
No. It’s always THEM!

"War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to
the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit
of the very few at the expense of the masses."
General Smedley Darlington Butler of the USMC (highest decorated marine).

Yes, as has been said: The first casualty of war is truth.

Shame On You!

You know, it’s time we shamed those soldiers who commit war crimes and boast openly,
Like we’ve seen with those Israeli soldiers in Gaza who’re bankrupt morally.
They flaunting such on the likes of Facebook, the images brazen and evil,
As with that war in Iraqi too, the hearts and minds of such soldiers very ill.

But there in Gaza, it never so brazen, never so full-on, and why we
Should condemn such from the rooftops, insisting on military integrity.
I guess such is the state of society today, but stop it we must, and,
While at it, calling for leadership accountability in every land

Yes, because Israeli leadership has been complicit in such, things they’ve said,
And why those soldiers have taken licence from such, instead of using their head.
And all why they're guilty of war crimes now, though it’s not just the head but the heart,
And there we have a real problem, but somewhere, and urgently, we need to start.

By Lance Landall

Christian content or degree.

IMAGINE THE IDEAL MAN AND WOMAN, FREE OF ANY DEFECT, SELFLESS, LOVING, NOBLE, MORAL,
HUMBLE AND LOYAL — YES, PERFECT, CARING FOR OTHERS, CREATURES AND THE PLANET,
LIVING IN PEACE AND HARMONY, MIDST WHOLESOMENESS, ORDER AND BEAUTY, DEVOID OF GUILE,
HATRED, CORRUPTION, LAWLESSNESS AND CRUELTY, SOUND IN MIND, HEART, PURPOSE AND
DIRECTION, SEEKERS OF TRUTH AND RIGHT, OPEN TO ANY INSPECTION, AND THERE YOU HAVE THE
BEST OF HUMANITY, WHICH THEIR CREATOR, SAVIOUR WOULD BE THRILLED TO SEE, THEY REDEEMED, RESTORED AND RECONCILED, LIVING FOR ALL ETERNITY, JOYOUSLY FULFILLED AND HAPPY, COURTESY
OF THAT BLOODSTAINED CROSS ON CALVARY; OUR ONLY HOPE. AND WILLING CHOICE, SURELY.
BUT YOU KNOW, EVEN IF THERE WAS NO GOD, WHAT A DIFFERENT PLACE THIS WORLD WOULD BE,
IF FILLED WITH THE BEST OF HUMANITY, MEN AND WOMEN ONE COULD ONLY DESCRIBE AS HEAVENLY;
AND GIVEN WHAT WE SEE, AND IN ORDER FOR OUR SURVIVAL, SUCH BUT A NECESSITY, THOUGH NOT
A REALITY, AND WHY IT ALL COMES BACK TO THAT CROSS ON CALVARY, AND EACH INDIVIDUAL, FINALLY.

Christian content or degree.

Look, Let's Be Honest

The truth is, that this world’s in a real mess, pain and suffering everywhere,
Both corruption and calamity, and Earth haemorrhaging through lack of care.
Hence the anxiety and fear that’s out there, so many struggling to hold on,
They feeling besieged and alone, and they even thinking that all hope has gone.

Enter something beyond it all, but meantime, we helping others hang in there,
’Cause many are finding the meantime excruciating, hence our love and care.
Yes, the world’s getting harder, colder, scarier, and more tragic by the day,
And thus thoughts of righting it all but delusional, hearts and minds so astray.

And so, something beyond it all being the only real answer, where hope lies,
And thus Heaven not so silly, and nor the thought of Someone who hears our cries.
And if the predicted signs of His soon return are staring us in the face,
Surely we should take this seriously; it the last chance for the human race.

No, it’s not about going all religious, but simply facing reality,
And that reality being, a doomed planet, endangered humanity.
And so, we hearing and seeing, or not so, and time not being on our side,
Most having scoffed or dawdled, and instead of a ladder, have chosen a slide.

Yes, humanity’s fixated with self, pleasures and ambitions that won’t last,
And all why we’re in the middle of a crisis, not having learnt from the past.
So, it’s time we looked up and beyond, there no alternative, but mere dead end,
The plasters almost gone, and for you and I, joy or disaster ’round the bend.

Look, let’s be honest, Earth’s a nightmare, and the lives of many too, and why we,
Just can’t ignore the facts, one being; the possible loss of eternity.
And so, that something beyond it all needs looking into, while we have time too,
And that means today; as if we need more evidence, there naught else to cling to.

How can a crumbling world hold an anchor, and Who set it spinning precisely?
’Cause chance couldn’t do that, and nor bring about intelligent humanity.
Oh, how we cherish our delusions, and delight in fiction and fantasy,
And how we’ve fouled it all; and so too for many, their hope of eternity.

Well, if you believe in such, that is, ’cause choosing not too could sorely cost you
Should God and Heaven be real; and with His soon return, that paradise in view.
There no paradise here, friend, and nor will there ever be, no matter the plan,
Most being still in bondage, followers of man, rather than the Son of Man.

By Lance Landall

THE WOUNDING OR TAKING OF LIFE

Lest we draw the curtains of indifference.

"From the river to the sea, UNIVERSALLY, one humanity — no walls, chains, racism,
bigotry, supremacy or injury — everyone respected, entitled and free."
The poet, author

The values of the West have been dying in Gaza.

For the correct understanding of how the Palestinian, Israeli conflict came about, and how
the Palestinians were robbed of their rightful homeland, watch the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOJqLTc6RkU

A number of the following poems were penned October, November and December 2023, may alternate
between secular and religious, and tie in with my two pages The Evil Of Violence and World Concerns
(the latter being where more poems relating to Israel and Gaza can be found).

Statistics and links appear under the poem: How Do We Get There? which is well down this page.

Five articles can be seen at the bottom of this page, and they are:
" NO CEASEFIRE"
REGARDING AMERICA
REGARDING ISRAEL
WHAT LOVE WOULD'VE DONE
and
AN OPEN LETTER

The article Regarding Israel explains why the Jews can't justify just waltzing on back and taking over that land.

Well worth checking out:
Al Jazeera TV News channel
(www.aljazeera.com)
www.democracynow.org
www.theintercept.com
www.electronicintifada.net
www.jewishcurrents.org
www.zeteo.com

If only all really knew what’s really been going on in Gaza (and the West Bank) both past and present. Ignorance, disinformation, misinformation and indoctrination having made so many complicit in the atrociousness, and many
of them being Christians who biblically have got things very wrong. For the correct biblical position, see the link under my poem Spiritual Israel which includes a diagram.

Also see my poem: There're Christians And There're Christians, found on my page Wisdom And Truth Matter.

By the way, and make no mistake about it, it’s NOT anti-Semitic to condemn the slaughter of innocent men, women and children (which includes doctors, nurses, relief workers and journalists), apocalyptic type carnage (which includes the bombing of homes, schools, hospitals, ambulances and places of worship), environmental damage (which includes infrastructure, livelihoods), outright hypocrisy, propaganda, the encouraging of genocide, displacement and dehumanisation, oppression, wrongful imprisonment, settler attacks, “almighty vengeance” over self-defence, summary executions (and after blindfolding, handcuffing and torturing), carpet bombing, the depriving a people of the necessities of life (like food, medicines, hospital care), or their right to their very land and the freedom to come and go, using Palestinians as human shields (tying them to the bonnet of vehicles), shooting at Palestinians cueing for humanitarian aid, shooting at humanitarian trucks, looting and burning them — in other words, war crimes.

Even a leading Israeli human rights group condemns what Israel is doing:

https://www.btselem.org/

IF IT ISN'T GENOCIDE THAT'S GONE ON IN GAZA, IT'S AS CLOSE AS IT GETS,
SO CLOSE THAT IF IT'S NOT GENOCIDE, WHAT ON EARTH IS GENOCIDE?
BECAUSE IF IT IS DIFFERENT, ONE WOULD NEED A MICROSCOPE THE SIZE
OF THE HUBBLE TELESCOPE.

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
Voltaire

WHERE RELIGION IS DRIVING OR AIDING A WAR, IT KNOWS NOT THE LORD OF PEACE,
NOR HONOURS HIS MORAL LAW, THUS ACTING LIKE A WOLF WEARING A FLEECE, AND
THEREBY, BOTH ERRANT AND DANGEROUS TO THE CORE.

“When we’re penalised for our view, someone’s overstepped the mark, or democracy has gone askew.”
The poet, author

Wherever there is wrong on any side, don't support it!
Wherever there is evil on any side, strongly condemn it!
And wherever there is trickery on any side, boldly expose it!

"The greatest threat to human life is those who're prepared to take it, and all why we need to instil in the
young a hatred of killing, along with a total belief in the sanctity of life, and the birth-given rights of all."
The poet, author

"A sanctioned atrocity is a greater atrocity, and a potential threat to all; and more so where supported,
supposedly God-blessed, ignoring international law, placing sanctions on the International Court of Justice,
silencing dissent, spinning propaganda, and interfering with the media."
The poet, author

October Seven — pot boiled over.
Gaza war — both the pot and stove destroyed as punishment.
Since when does one day's hell in Israel justify ten month's hell in Gaza?
And remember that self-defense does not apply to an occupying state's wars against those it occupies. What Israel has been doing in Gaza for decades violates all known conditions for self-defense. Thus Palestinians having every right to resist. And as far as a ceasefire goes, the only ceasefire that Netanyahu has wanted is one where Hamas
ceases and Israel fires.
Regarding the fact that Israel does not have a right to self-defense here, watch the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra9TtbjKWQs

News, Monday 20 May 2024:
The International Court of Justice chief prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan files applications for the warrents of arrests for Netanyahu, Sinwar and other senior Israeli and Hamas figures who have played key roles in the ongoing war in Gaza. He said that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for a list of war crimes including the starvation of civilians, willfully causing great suffering, or serious injury, willful killing and intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population....
November 2024
Arrest warrents issued For Netanyahu and Gallant.

Did you know that the Israeli army is one of the most criminal armies in the world, with a history of using Palestians as human shields, yet accusing others of such. That Israel consistently ranks the highest in West Asia for documented cases of rape and sexual assult. That Israel is a known regional hub for human trafficking and a haven for pedophiles.
Ancient Israel and modern Israel are two very different things.

It appears that the Hannibal Directive was implemented on October 7 allowing the Israeli Defence Force to kill many of its own citizens at the festival taking place at the time of the Hamas attack.

It's A Very Concerning, Ominous Sign

You can rubbish the International Court of Justice, but what would that say?
’Cause war crimes are war crimes, and the evidence is there, and it's as clear as day.
So what’s really going on here, ’cause war criminals should be held to account,
Put on trial, and given how that even bigger cost is beginning to mount.

Yes, there’s something really dreadful going on, ’cause no one should get off the hook
If carrying out war crimes, so who's that running around like a headless chook?
No good threatening those who’ve investigated it all, weighed it up, and said:
“What’s gone on here is criminal, thus justice needed for the injured and dead.”

And who would deny them that but those who are at odds with human decency,
That preciousness of all human life, and why there should be accountability.
Yes, even self-defence having its limits, and so, come that wrongly crossed line,
Something should be done, and where it’s not, it’s a very concerning, ominous sign.

Looking at the West, it seems there’s a lot of genocide apologists, or
Lets say war crimes apologists, who, the same court, are also choosing to ignore.
Meantime, more dying — in fact, Israel upping the anti, and the same spin,
Hamas behind each lamppost and under each bed — oh, how it’s all wearing thin.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned 26 May 2024.

It all reminds me of the following text:
"...and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service
for God. This is because they have never known the Father or Me" (John 16:2, NLT).

By the way,

Media Soldiers

It’s time we saluted those journalists, reporters and media crew, who,
Bravely speak, print and show the facts, the truth, and who put their lives on the line too.
Yes, heroes and heroines indeed, who’ve risked their lives in the likes of Gaza,
Or paid the ultimate price, far from home, suburban life, or city plaza.

Yes, they having chosen the battlefield, seen the war crimes, exposed them to view,
They no mere channelers of the “official truth,” and nor stenographers too,
But fearless defenders of the whole truth, who’re oft targeted for their trouble,
That reality check that’s needed to burst many an ignorant bubble.

So yes, it’s time we saluted such brave, honest beings, keepers of the flame,
That light that shines despite any darkness and opposition, or wrongful blame.
Thus accusation or threat not holding them back, their gallant horse saddled up,
It watered and ready, no matter the road, no matter how bitter the cup.

Oh yes, they not channelers, echoers, or stenographers, and may it be
That their employers will remain as fearless too, thus not acting cowardly,
But rather, joining the media soldiers, who, though battle scarred, remain true,
Lest Earth be plunged into a darkness where even the faintest light won’t get through.

By Lance Landall

Dedicated to the media soldiers killed whilst on duty, especially in Gaza.

"Journalism is not a crime, oppressing it is."
Al Jazeera

THERE ARE THOSE WHO'RE PRO-ISRAEL, AND THOSE WHO'RE PRO-PALESTINE, AND HENCE THOSE PROTESTS REGARDING EITHER, WHEN REALLY, IT SHOULD BE NEITHER, BUT RIGHT NOW, "STOP THE KILLING! STOP THE SHELLING!"
WE'RE EITHER PRO-LIFE OR NOT, AND IF WE'RE A CHRISTIAN, DEFINITELY NOT IN FAVOUR OF KILLING, BUT SADLY SO, IF WE'RE STILL BACKING ANY SHELLING, BECAUSE KILLING SHOULDN'T BE ON EITHER SIDE, NOR HATRED ON EITHER SIDE, AND HEY, SELF-DEFENSE BEING ONE THING, BUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING, QUITE ANOTHER THING.
OH, SO MUCH FOR ONE'S FELLOW, HUMAN, SISTER AND BROTHER, AND ALL WHY WE SHOULD BE SHOUTING, AND REPEATEDLY, "STOP THE KILLING! STOP THE SHELLING!," AND TOGETHER, NOT PICKING SIDES, WIDENING DIVIDES, BECAUSE THAT'S NEITHER CHRISTIAN NOR SENSIBLE, BUT A SURE WAY TO FURTHER ILL, AND THIS ALL WHY WE SHOULD MIND SELF-DEFENSE, AND MORE SO, THAT EYE FOR AN EYE THING, IT SUCH A DRACONIAN THING, BUT HEY, A BODY FOR AN EYE? "NO, NO, NO!," WE SHOULD CRY.
AND ALL WHY WE SHOULD REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING TWO THINGS AS WELL, WHICH IN THE YOUNG WE SHOULD INSTIL, AND THEY ARE, THAT WAR MAY FORCE A RESULT, BUT IT'S NEVER AN ANSWER, AND THAT WHEN WE ACT LIKE OUR ENEMY, WE'RE AS BAD AS OUR ENEMY, AND MORE SO, WHERE SUPPOSEDLY TAKING THE HIGHER GROUND, BECAUSE ONE SHOULD BETTER KNOW, AND GIVEN THAT WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND, WHICH IN OCTOBER WAS SEEN TO SHOW.

Since when has it been acceptable to kill thousands of innocent men, women and children (and to destroy their homes, livelihoods, infrastructure and habitat in order to hopefully remove a number of people deemed evil who
dwell amongst them, and when they've little say in the matter?

THE LIKES OF NETANYAHU (AIDED BY THE WEST), AND THE LIKES OF PUTIN (AIDED BY THE EAST), AND LIKE SO MANY BEFORE THEM, WHO WE SHOULD ALSO LOUDLY CONDEMN, ARE DESTROYING THE EARTH, OUR NEST, AND HOW ILL HAS GIVEN BIRTH, AND SADLY, MUCH LEFT UNADDRESSED, THE GROUND AWASH WITH CHEMICALS, AND SO TOO, THE SEA, STREAMS, RIVERS AND WELLS, AND NEED I SAY THE RISK HERE (GIVEN WATER THAT'S DRUNK, FISH THAT'S EATEN), LET ALONE THE LOSS OF CROPS (OR VEGES EATEN) — YES, IT NEVER STOPS, LAND BEING RENDERED USELESS EVERYWHERE, AND MINES WICKEDLY BURRIED EVERYWHERE, AND OH, ALL THOSE CHEMICALS FROM EXPLOSIONS THAT FILL THE AIR — YES, POISONS GOING EVERYWHERE, UP, DOWN, POLLUTING CITY AND TOWN, THUS DECADES BEING NEEDED FOR RECOVERY, IF THERE IS A RECOVERY, THAT IS — YES, WARS NOTHING BUT A CURSE, AND THINGS ARE GETTING WORSE, AS WELL AS THE EARTH HAVING SUSTAINED FAR TOO MUCH ALREADY, NOTHING REALLY GOING AWAY, THE INJURY STUBBORNLY DETERMINED, AND CERTAINLY STEADY, AND THE CLOCK TICKING WHILST THESE WARMONGERS PLAY, AND OH, HOW THEY WASTE EARTH'S RESOURCES, WHICH AREN'T EVERLASTING, BUT NO, STILL THAT BLASTING, AND THUS LIFE AND WHAT SUSTAINS IT GASPING.

"The nations raged, but Thy wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, for rewarding Thy
servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear Thy name, both small and great,
and for destroying the destroyers of the earth" (Rev 11:18, RSV).

IF YOU WERE IN AN OPEN-AIR PRISON, GUARDS AT EVERY CROSSING, SURVEILLANCE EVERYWHERE, AND POVERTY EVERYWHERE, ALL HAVING BEEN DEPRIVED OF MUCH, OR ONLY ALLOWED SO MUCH OF SUCH, ONE'S EVERY MOVE CONTROLLED, THUS YOU NOT FREE TO COME AND GO, WALLS ERECTED AND BORDERS PATROLLED, AND YOU, MAYBE HUNGRY AND COLD, WATER AND ELECTRICITY SEEN TO EBB AND FLOW, AND YOU DEALING WITH CERTAIN INCURSIONS, EVEN ASPERSTIONS, FRIENDS OR NEIGHBOURS BEING DETAINED, MORE OF YOUR SPACE BEING GRABBED, AND NO DOUBT FEELING WORTHLESS AND STRAINED, AND KNOWING YOU WERE DESPISED, SEEN AS INFERIOR, EVEN CRIMINALIZED, MIGHT YOU FESTER TOO, LIKEWISE RESIST, AND THE HELP OF OTHERS ENLIST, OR TURN A BLIND EYE TO, WHILST TUNNELS THEY PURSUE, THOUGH ONE SHOULDN'T DO?
ALL WHY WE SHOULD SEEK TO UNDERSTAND ALL, EVEN WHEN THINGS ARE DONE THAT APPALL, THEREBY ATTEMPTING TO FIND THE ROOTS OF IT ALL, SO THAT WE MAY PREVENT MORE THAT MIGHT APPALL.
THE TRUTH IS, OPPRESSION INEVITABLY CREATES RESISTANCE, AND RESISTANCE SOON TURNS TO PLANS, AND PLANS SOON COME TO FRUITION (OF WHICH WE KNOW BY INTUITION) — CAUSE AND EFFECT, ONE UNDERSTANDS — AND THUS BLAME BEING IN THE OPPRESSOR'S CRUEL HANDS, WHO, ANGERED BY WHAT COMES NATURALLY, AND OH SO TYPICALLY, GIVEN HIS POWER AND CONTROL, SIMPLY DIGS ANOTHER HOLE, BUT OPPRESSORS NEVER LEARN, AND TO THEIR SAME OLD WAYS TURN, AND HENCE WHY WE SEE GREATER BRUTALITY, FURTHER BARBARITY, BUT THAT'S THE WAY OF TYRANNY, AND MORE SO RELIGIOUS TYRANNY.
AND TELL ME, WHY WOULD THOSE WHO SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF THE HOLOCAUST, THEN TURN AROUND, AND UPON OTHERS, INFLICT A SIMILAR HORRID COST, BECAUSE SURELY IF THEY'VE CONDEMNED SUCH BARBARITY, THEY WOULDN'T THINK TO EMULATE SUCH BARBARITY, AND SO, THEY THUS LOOKING JUST AS BAD, AND ALSO ACTING HYPOCRITICALLY, AND ALL WHY I SHAKE MY HEAD, GAZA NOW A BLOODY RED, HEMORRHAGING APOCALYPTICALLY.

This alternative capitalised poem is titled.

TIME TO STOP THE INSANITY

WHEN I LOOK AT GAZA AND THE TRAGEDY UNFOLDING, AND HOW ISRAEL, HUMAN RIGHTS HASN'T BEEN UPHOLDING, AND HOW IT'S BEEN ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH SUCH ILL, THAT APOCALYPTIC HELL, IT NOT ONLY BREAKS MY HEART, AND TEARS ME APART, BUT FILLS ME WITH RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION.
OH, THE GALL OF THAT WRONGLY LED, FAR-RIGHT, GOVERNED NATION, THE SCALE OF THE SLAUGHTER AND DESTRUCTION UNBELIEVABLE, AND TO THINK THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY PREVENTABLE, BUT NO, THE WORLD AT LARGE HAVING STOOD BY, EVEN CONTRIBUTING TO EACH DESPERATE CRY — WELL, EVEN WORSE, THOSE WHO VETOED A CEASEFIRE, THOSE WHO SUPPLIED THE BOMBS, THE MONEY, THE SUPPORT, AND WHO ALSO TESTED NEW WEAPONRY, TREATED GAZA LIKE A LABORATORY, AND ALL WHY I WANT TO SCREAM (GIVEN THAT IT'S A NIGHTMARE AND NOT JUST A DREAM), "STOP THE KILLING! STOP THE DESTRUCTION! YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR, WAY TOO FAR!"
YES, TOO BAD ABOUT HOMES, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, SUCH NOT SELF-DEFENSE, BUT A HATRED AND WAY THAT'S CRUELLY INTENSE, A GRIEVOUS SIN, IT SIMPLY REVENGE ON STEROIDS, AND IN MY OPINION, MENTAL HEMORRHOIDS, AND WHY I AND OTHERS GASP, WE WHO COMPASSION AND MERCY CLASP, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT ISRAEL OR GAZA, BUT SANITY, HUMAN DECENCY AND NOBILITY — THE SANCTITY OF LIFE, ACTUALLY, ALONG WITH THOUGHT FOR OUR ENDANGERED PLANET, WHICH IS SUFFERING IMMEASURABLY.
BUT TO CURE CANCER, TERRORISM (OR IS IT SOMETIMES UNDERSTANDABLE RESISTANCE?), ONE NEEDS TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSES CANCER, AND IN THIS CASE, OPPRESSION, OCCUPATION, WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT, BARBARITY, CONFISCATION, BULLDOZERS AND MORE, HENCE THAT ANGRY ROAR, THAT HORRID HAMAS ATTACK, AND WHY FOR REASONS, ONE LOOKING BACK, IT ALL DECADES IN THE MAKING, THE PAST MISTREATMENT BREATHTAKING, AND THUS HOW THINGS GO BAD — IN OTHER WORDS, FERMENT — NO ONE LIKING A TENT, A LACK OF THIS OR THAT, AN OPEN AIR PRISON, AND NOR WHERE THERE IS CALLOUS INTENT; AND AS FOR THERE BEING TUNNELS, THAT'S STILL NO EXCUSE FOR THOSE BABY KILLING PUMMELS.
YES, BLATANT, UNCHECKED, AND EVEN SANCTIONED EVIL, AND NOW, GREATER EVIL, AND HAMAS NOT GOING AWAY, BUT AS WE'VE SEEN WITH AFGHANISTAN, SAME TERROR JUST ARISING ANOTHER DAY, "ALMIGHTY VENGENCE" SIMPLY CREATING MORE RECRUITS, AND WHY I'VE ASKED, "WHERE ARE THE ROOTS?", AND ALL WHY EVERY SILENT VOICE IS COMPLICIT HERE, ALL WHO SIMPLY CHOOSE TO SIT IN THEIR FAVOURITE ARMCHAIR, BECAUSE THE WORLD NEEDS TO STAND, AND THE WORLD NEEDS TO SHOUT, "GET OUT! LEAVE THEM ALONE! WE'RE DONE WITH HEARTS OF STONE!"
YES, VIOLENCE HAS NEVER BEEN THE WAY, IT ALL ASTRAY, BUT WHEN WILL SUCH PEOPLE LEARN, AND FROM SUCH BACKWARD WAYS TURN? — THE ENLIGHTENED NOT SO ENLIGHTENED, OR ARE THERE AGENDAS, CERTAIN INTERESTS, BEDFELLOWS IN A MUTUAL NEST? — AND ALL WHY TOO, MUCH DONE IN THE NAME OF LOVE KNOWS NOTHING OF IT, AND MUCH DONE IN THE NAME OF GOD KNOWS NOTHING OF HIM, IN MY HUMBLE VIEW.
NO, IT'S NOT ABOUT ISRAEL OR GAZA, BUT HUMANITY, AND ALL WHY IT'S TIME TO STOP THE INSANITY.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on 5 December 2023.
Three books worth reading:
The Palestine Laboratory by Antony Loewenstein,
The Assassination Complex by Jeremy Scahill,
and The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein.
Also see the comments, quotes and links under the poem How Do We Get There? (which contains
more regarding the content of the poem above, as do other poems).

As For Me

As for me — well, I’m past the good age of seventy, have had a life, but them?
Thousands of them mere toddlers, kids — oh, how I hate war, and warmongers condemn.
One, two, five, six, maybe ten years, but what’s that? Yes, it’s nothing, and now they’re dead,
Murdered, in fact, the victims of “almighty vengeance,” and hatred, let it be said.

Oh yes, it’s an outrage, they never to marry, have kids of their own, nor taste
The passion of romance, marital intimacy — oh, oh, oh, what a waste.
Barely born, and then, bombed, left to die under rubble, it nothing but evil,
They no longer in mother’s arms, or at her breast, babies suffering such ill.

Fourteen years to clear Gaza of rubble and unexploded ordnance! What shame.
Thank you, America, and why white phosphorus? And all in Netanyahu’s name.
Gaza now a wasteland, awash with war crimes, forget international law,
Oh, the brutality of it — hypocrites! Awaken world! Too many snore.

Who are these people? Demons in disguise? Satanic weapons in their bloody hands.
No, they’re not soldiers, they’re not men, but monsters, and each one truly guilty stands.
Self-defence? Baloney! Surely we know the difference, and why scream I do,
“Stop the genocide! Stop the domicide! And keep religion out of things too!”

Yes, as for me, I’ve had a good innings, but not so those kids, blown to bits,
Or suffering amputations, Biden afflictions, “No ceasefire” come his mitts.
It plain evil killing men, but women and children? A seeming source of mirth
Going by those flaunted war crimes on social media — oh my, what on Earth?!

Oops, sorry, could be anti-Semitic, they say — more baloney! The world mad,
War crimes being war crimes, and killing innocent women and kids more than sad.
Such simply never justifiable, and to think it could’ve been halted,
But no — and too bad about those hostages — the warmonger’s horse having bolted.

And hey, nothing happens in a vacuum, oppression causing resistance, and
Out of such, the likes of Hamas — such having taken decades, lets understand.
October seven paling into insignificance after what we’ve seen,
That body for an eye killing and destruction in Gaza where Israel’s been.

Yes, as for me, I’ve had a full life, gone though the stages, chapters and pages,
Away from cruel occupation, some Nakba, where insane apartheid rages.
Depriving someone of their life or limbs is the cruellest of things, torture too,
Which comes in many forms, like an open-air prison with it’s suffocating view.

Oh, how my heart bleeds for those poor wee children, thousands having gone to their grave,
Killed by bullies and cowards, hardly the work of moral men, those who are brave.
No, such nothing but despicable, reprehensible, a few years and then
Gone! Shot, bombed, mangled — oh, the horror, the hell — so sorry — such beyond my ken.

Tell me, who in their right mind here, would supply all those bombs and that weaponry,
Thus supporting that fanatical, hard right regime? Now there's complicity.
Even Jews protesting the wrong of it all, thus respecting humanity,
That love for all, remembering: "Suffer the little children to come unto Me."

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on 29 April 2024.
"Suffer the little children" — Mark 10:14, KJV.

Dear Children Of Gaza

Dear Children of Gaza, what you’re experiencing is nothing but evil,
Evil that most of us dearly wish we could stop, ’cause no one should harm or kill.
All why we’ve being doing what we can, but we’re not being listened to, and why
The slaughter and destruction is continuing, though we mindful of each cry.

Oh yes, you’re not forgotten, ’cause you’re in our hearts and minds, and there you will stay,
Dead or alive, it all recorded, and I believing in a judgment day.
Yes, history’s so full of such madness, that same cruelty and brutality,
Which demands justice, an accountability for such criminality.

And this why many of us keep on doing what we can, successful or not,
Oft hampered by corruption, agendas and self interest found at the top.
And if it weren’t for us, dear Children of Gaza, there’d be no help at all,
And why, despite how it might appear, we have responded to your urgent call.

Yes, we’re well aware of the hell you’re going through and are feeling angry too,
’Cause no one, and especially young children, such horror should be going through.
It’s not us whose saying “No ceasefire,” oh no, love never taking that road, but
Shouting the opposite, “Stop!” — and despite all those attempts to keep our mouths shut.

No, none of you should be seeing those scattered body parts, all that blood and gore,
Nor hearing those sickening sounds that are always associated with war.
All why we’re promoters of peace, haters of violence, lovers of others,
And hence why we see everyone in this world as our sisters and brothers.

And this why we’ve been trying to get aid to you, it not us holding things up,
All why we shake our heads and sigh when we see your empty pot, platter or cup.
And to think you’ve been shot at whilst waiting for that needed food — oh, how dare they,
Though many complicit here (given their support), but not us, who right obey.

And many of us pray for you, but this world’s full of tragic realities,
Wicked men and women, who, just themselves, or an old devil, are seen to please.
And we common people not having the same power or might; such life on Earth,
And hey, little will change until a change in the hearts and minds of all gives birth.

Yes, it wasn’t October seven where it started, but who reads history?
Evil having triggered evil, thus resistance occurring naturally.
October seven not happening in a vacuum, decades setting the fuse,
And why on both sides, we see the consequences of the folly many choose.

But such no excuse for what we’ve seen in Gaza — yes, even greater evil,
Way, way in excess, and why most of us balk at that apocalyptic hell.
A hell you shouldn’t be going through, dear Children of Gaza, and why we shout
“Stop!” And do what we do, and the incredible evil of it all, call out.

You may not see us, know us, stuck in your open-air prison, far from our reach,
But we’re there in those laden trucks, and those airdrops, where you’re crowding land or beach.
Many have died on your behalf, reporters, aid workers — yes, the list goes on,
And those caring actions and voices will continue until all hope is gone.

Yes, we wouldn’t sleep otherwise, having seen those nightmarish hospital scenes,
Heard the hysterical screams of fear and pain, doctors not having the needed means.
Both food and medicine having been withheld, hospitals ransacked and destroyed,
Along with homes, schools, shops and livelihoods; those soldiers satanically employed.

No, dear Children of Gaza, God has had nothing to do with it, that’s just lies,
Religion that’s in darkness, and which in the face of a loving Saviour flies.
So, please remember, dear Children of Gaza, not all of us are as astray,
But are seeking to protect human life, and love over hatred being the way.

Why anyone would back a regime that has acted so brutally, cruelly,
Oppressively and illegally, and decade after decade, baffles me.
And why I wish to remind that we won’t aid nor support what’s going on here,
But rather, condemn it all, and your hope for a better, brighter future share.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned 28 February 2024.

Can't Fool Us

One of the most densely populated places in the world and bombs are sent.
Thanks, America, and you not naive, but well aware of Israel’s intent.
Yes, weighty bombs, devastating bombs, and now you’re concerned? Well, so you’re saying,
Despite months of that apocalyptic destruction and horrific slaying.

Yes, you just had to know what those bombs would do, and you heard the evil spiel too,
That talk from Israeli leaders, that devastation they intended to do.
You just had to know there’d be many thousands killed and injured, including kids,
And hence why your excuses and skewed justifications can be torn to shreds.

And don't give me that Hamas carry-on, because you know as well as I do,
That Hamas is bigger than Gaza — and how, more recruits you've created too;
Yes, those Palestinians having plenty to fester over, and they will,
The injured having years of misery ahead, thanks to your complicit ill.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned 13 May 2024.
It's estimated that it will take 14 years to clear Gaza of rubble and unexploded ordnance bombs.

"Collateral damage can be a handy fallback to cover pay back."
The poet, author

Something's Very Wrong Here

Yes, it’s easy to get lost in side taking rather than the real tragedy,
That greater crime, and after decades of mistreatment too, same barbarity.
And hence those protests (troublemakers aside), the greater crime needing to stop,
And the root of it be yanked out, and thereby, love for hate and apartheid swap.

But no, ironclad support for Israel, meaning: no matter what it’s seen to do,
And meantime, anti-genocide protestors mocked or attacked, it all askew.
Yes, something’s very wrong here, too many having something to lose, like money,
Or position, and a seeming stranglehold in place, hands having been busy.

By Lance Landall

The West Bank

Almost forgotten midst the Gaza war, though similar atrocities there.
Yes, the West Bank being attacked too, homes raided or bulldozed, and hence the fear.
People killed or imprisoned, such going on night after night, day after day,
But seemingly not noticed the same, it all hidden behind a shade of grey.

Yes, the spotlight on Gaza, and understandably given the hell that’s there,
Distracting one from the West Bank atrocities, where there’s more suffering and fear.
It all plotted and carried out, and knowing that the world’s focus isn’t there,
But on Gaza, yet both being set upon, thus attention should equally share.

By Lance Landall

Right In Front Of Our Faces

Yes, right in front of our faces, on Facebook, TV, YouTube, and so it goes,
Israeli soldiers boasting of their war crimes, which their cruel brutality shows.
And after such getting out, their commander having given it all away too,
By telling them not to display their war crimes, those wicked things they choose to do.

Oh, when will the world wake up? The blatancy of it! They laughing and mocking,
Their treatment of those wrongly oppressed Palestinians dreadfully shocking.
Oh yes, the root cause of October seven being Israel, not Hamas,
But decades of brutality and occupation that should have us all gasp.

And now, those soldiers shooting at Gazans trying to get food they badly need,
And who, there beside those aid trucks, and by the dozen, are seen to crumple and bleed.
Yes, murdered, and why I say, that’s not war, but bloody revenge, outright evil,
They worse than those they condemn, at best the same, and throughout those months, most sat still.

“Why?” I shout, war crimes dished up breakfast, lunch and dinner, and yet such sanctioned still,
Well, by half the world, complicit up to its neck, whilst little children they kill.
Those soldiers merciless, their morality dead, so too their sadistic hearts,
It all there in front of our faces, and silence always being where it starts.

Where truth isn’t liked, or exposes ill, that too, many out there try to kill,
Hence the lies, propaganda and threats, and how more so, we know that all’s not well.
And yes, half the world having bought into the spin, and therefore, that “No ceasefire,”
Despite the evidence, the atrocities, and why of their hearts, I enquire.

Oh yes, war crimes by the dozen, blatantly paraded, any court laughed at,
So much impunity given, a blank cheque (thanks America), “And here, how’s that?”
White phosphorus to go with it, it burning like no burn does, destroying Earth,
And over the cruelty and craziness, those soldiers turning it into mirth.

Gaza now lying in ruins, millions with no where to go, and thousands dead,
And thousands upon thousands horribly injured, and who’s not seeing red!?
Wow, have we ever seen the likes of it, an evil, sanctioned atrocity,
And the persecutors claiming to be the victims, it but insanity.

Well, no one will be laughing if there’s a judgment day, and I believe there is,
A day when the wicked deeds of wicked people will be exposed, hers or his.
Oh yes, there’s got to be such a day, and for some on Earth, judgment occurs before;
In other words, as well as, and so it should, come such an evil, wicked war.

Yep, it right there in front of our faces, and kind of “He, he, he, can’t catch me,”
More Hamas recruits in the making, and revenge on their minds undoubtedly.
After all, Palestinians having a right to self-defence too, I say,
Years of illegal provocation having pushed the envelope all the way.

Forget October seven and read history, someone has said, and you know,
That’s really the truth of it, and thus why from Gaza, Israel needs to go.
What Hamas did was wrong, but what Israel has done is worse, a thousand times,
It right there in front of our faces, one of history’s most atrocious crimes.

Seems those Israeli soldiers neither fear death, court, nor judgment day, given that
There on the battlefield, they’re laughing their heads off, and in ransacked homes have sat.
After all, they viewing the Palestinians as animals, which is rich
Given their bestiality, and why who has time for that self-defence pitch?

We’re seeing a bigoted, racist, fanatical, delusional regime,
Whose messianic vision for Israel is well and truly off the beam.
Tyrants on a mission, terrorists of another sort, and dyed in the wool,
And why half the world, and without question, has simply been taken for a fool.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on the 4 March 2024, and a small correction was made on the 6 March.
Also see my poem What's With Today's Soldiers? which is found on my page The Evil Of Violence.

Evidence of Israeli war crimes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAT9NQ4WkE0

Israeli propaganda:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95X6uWZ9k9Q

More:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mxfnya3ZRc

Did You See It?! Did You See It?!

Oh, the shame, the disgrace, the abomination of it, the wicked cruelty,
Courtesy of Israeli extremists, and right in front of us on T.V.
They having stopped humanitarian trucks on their way to Gaza, and then
Smashed that needed food on the ground, setting fire to two trucks — it beyond one’s ken!

What kind of people are these? Yet calling Palestinians animals, who
Not only are innocent, but starving, dying — oh, it all so sick and askew.
Yes, there’s utter hatred for you, love having well and truly gone, which declares
Absolute moral corruption, and which, at human rights and decency sneers.

But wait, there’s more!

Yes, there's more alright, Israeli settlers taking their cue from Netanyahu,
Attacking and killing indigenous Palestinians, though this not new.
It having gone on for ages, be it Gaza or the West Bank, and why we
Though mindful of October seven, should condemn all who use brutality.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned 15 May 2024.

That's Where The Focus Should Be

Forget Israel, it’s more than big enough to look after itself, and also
Forget Hamas, it having more than paid for its folly, that provoked blow,
And dwell on the biggest wrong, those thousands of children killed, and those women too,
That utter destruction in Gaza, that apocalyptic storm that’s gone through.

Yes, that’s where the focus should be, nothing more shocking in modern history,
October seven like child’s play — Israel here, having sacked humanity.
Yes, war crimes by the truck load, and yet its soldiers the most moral, Bibi said,
Completely away with the fairies, tens of thousands injured, tens of hundreds dead.

It all cause and effect, Israel the cause, Gaza the effect — yes, paying,
Innocent families who’ve suffered enough, their lot going without saying;
Confined to an open-air prison, oppression and occupation their lot,
Then that atrocity of atrocities after that shock Israel got.

Oh, how every person in the world should be raging, surveying the scene,
Angry at that “almighty vengeance,” rubble where homes and hospitals had been.
The rubble covering lives that may’ve taken days to die, kids and babies,
Men and women, yet, so many still unable to see the wood for the trees.

Yes, it's easy to get lost in side-taking, rather than the real tragedy,
That far greater crime, and after decades of mistreatment, same barbarity.
And hence those protests (troublemakers aside), the greater crime needing to stop,
And the root of it all be pulled out, so love for hate and apartheid we can swap.

But meantime, IRONCLAD support for Israel, meaning: no matter what it's seen to do,
And anti-genocide protesters mocked or attacked, it all being askew.
Yes, something's terribly wrong here, certain ones having something to lose, like money,
Or position, and a seeming stranglehold in place, hands having been busy.

And errant religion in the mix, thus democracy taking second place,
Biden's Zionism running the show, thus wisdom and sense in outer space.
Oh, how the world should rage, but indoctrination having befuddled many,
Who fail to see where the focus should be, thereby aiding criminality.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on 1 May 2024, and was added to on the 3rd.

In Defence Of Protesting

Come the hell seen in Gaza, and the right to protest flashes in neon lights,
Because there we’ve seen a blatant and criminal disregard for human rights.
But lawless protesting? No, such never right, though often understandable
Given the stubbornness and determination of those supporting such ill.

Yes, frustration having protesters go astray, and more so where they’re maligned,
Painted unfairly, and conveniently so — oh, that cunning state of mind.
Not only protesters going astray, but the struggling, damaged and angry,
When confronted with the same indifference from leaders, which should never be;

Yes, elected by the people for the people, but still doing their own thing,
Which has an authoritarian and rather dictatorial ring.
One's nation thus run according to them, or their tight little regime, and why
Things just go from bad to worse, and despite the protests, that rightful hue and cry.

Those elected by the people for the people are oft doing things in secret,
And trying to avoid accountability, which with honesty, doesn't fit.
And in that sense, they're betrayers, and much like an unfaithful spouse, and hence why
People have lost so much faith in their leaders, who're oft seen to fudge, dodge and lie.

By Lance Landall

It All But Evil For Evil

One would’ve thought that after the holocaust, Hitler’s evil, that Israelis
Would’ve been anti-violence, passionate peacemakers, free of same disease.
Yes, not bigots, nor racist, but embracers of all, and big on liberty,
Thus not oppressors, prison guards, torturers, land grabbers inflicting cruelty.

And you know, they weren’t the only ones Hitler went after and treated the same,
And yet, here they are too, carrying out slaughter and destruction — oh, the shame.
Self-defence? No, “almighty revenge,” and doing what they’ve condemned Hamas for,
Thus every bit as morally corrupt and brutal — hypocrites, what’s more.

Oh, how they wailed over their lot, yet had they the means and opportunity
They would’ve resisted too, taken up arms (as in Roman times, actually).
And yet, how dare Hamas respond on behalf of the Gazans, and, by the way,
Sacrifice their own lives for the rights and freedoms of others who’ve little say.

Now, I’m not supporting Hamas, but simply making a point, and that being,
Israel can’t have it both ways, and their own complicity should be seeing.
October seven not happening in a vacuum, but years in the making,
Given that Israel took a path that wisdom said it shouldn’t be taking.

No, the holocaust lesson enough, thus Israel learning from history,
Not repeating history, indulging in collective punishment, insanely.
Its soldiers boasting of their war crimes, and its leaders inciting genocide,
And oh, the U.S. whitewashing it all, and the world looking on horrified.

Bursting into West Bank homes in the dead of night and dragging people away
After terrorising them all, seems very Gestapo to me, badly astray.
Repentant soldiers speaking out, and oh, the things that have been done, the cruelty,
War crimes, in fact, thus it not just Gaza suffering from such insanity.

Oh yes, how many have laid for days under rubble until their sad death came,
Or been murdered whilst seated at their table, or showering, and in whose name?
Certainly not God’s, and certainly not mine, it all but evil for evil,
No one in the right here, nor having the strength to halt or refrain from such ill.

By Lance Landall

Split Personalities

A mass stabbing in Australia, a mass shooting in America, and
Shock, horror! “Our condolences. We’re praying for you. Oh, things are out of hand.”
But come that slaughter in Gaza, those thousands of dead children, and women too,
And out comes those spurious justifications, it all so horribly askew.

It’s like the world is full of split personalities, and why I want to shout:
“A life’s a life, for crying out loud, and why any injury should be out!”
Yes, ruled out, and to think that slaughter has been sanctioned, oh my, the sheer evil,
A blind eye being bad enough, but sanctioning such? Who’s mind is that unwell?

Yes, many showing more concern over a dog hit by a car, and therefore,
Palestinians way down the list, seemingly, even unable to score.
So here’s more bombs, our support ironclad, and hey, Rafah will come your way too,
Because we’ve got your back no matter what atrocities-cum-war crimes you do.

By Lance Landall

The Arrogance Of America

Literally thousands surrounded the humanitarian aid truck there,
They desperate and fearful, Israeli snipers shooting at them, evil clear.
And that aid less than a drop in the bucket, starvation staring at them, and
Hence those kids filling their pockets with flour that from burst bags would wastefully land.

Yes, they scraping that flour from the dirty ground with their dirty, frantic hands,
Hunger driving them, food withheld or drip-fed, and why GUILTY America stands.
Oh, the arrogance of America vetoing yet another ceasefire,
As if it knows better than the rest of the world, and with that Gaza scene dire.

Yes, only America vetoing, yet getting its cruel way — oh, such wrong,
And thus many more kids destined to die; so much for that “America strong,”
Such but weakness, politics, self-serving, and all involved here but criminals,
America turning into a “beast” power, such but one of her many ills.

Oh yes, every delay letting the slaughter continue, and destruction,
And why the whole world shouldn’t buy America’s erroneous construction.
Her argument flawed and inhumane, and hey, it costing Americans too,
Because they’re footing the bill here, all because of what Biden’s chosen to do.

No, we know he’s not alone here, and even Americans behind him, who
Have swallowed the same ideology, that Zionism that’s so askew.
The American media (like the rest of the Western world) guilty too,
Having trashed balance and freedom of expression, all how ill’s soon seen to brew.

Many truths kept from ears and eyes, and in their place, what they wanted heard and seen,
Rather than the truthful history, and brutality of that Gaza scene,
Like those amputations without an anaesthetic, so many of them kids,
And why over that covering up, there should be a rolling of many heads.

What we've seen in Gaza is evil on steroids, a wicked horror story,
One supported by an embarrassed, shame-faced, dirtied, Statue of Liberty.
Corruption and hypocrisy stalking the White House, casting a shadow too,
The world having done little, and many would say nothing, so what about you?

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on 21 February 2024 straight after
another failed United Nations meeting.

"I have never been able to look upon America as young and vital but rather as prematurely old,
as a fruit which rotted before it had a chance to ripen."
Henry Miller (1891-1980), American author

"The deterioration of every government begins with the decay of the principles on which it was founded."
Charles-Louis De Secondat (1689-1755), French judge, historian and political philosopher

The following is well worth watching:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krznHIAgwcY

Are You For Real, America?

Why America would back a regime that’s acted so brutally, cruelly,
Oppressively and illegally, and decade after decade, baffles me.
But then again there’s those Americans who’re still backing Trump, despite the fact
He has charge after charge against him, and so badly is seen to talk and act.

And thus it’s either “Genocide Joe” or “Insurrection Trump,” both well off track,
And so too America, and why its no surprise if such people they back.
And why I ask, where’s their moral compass, though I’m not talking religion here.
’Cause Church and State would be another American mistake, its folly clear.

Yes, are you for real, America, given you don’t seem to be able to see
What has many in this world aghast, and one of those things, your hypocrisy.
Yes, you preach to the world, but my, have you seen the state of your own backyard, or
Are you unable to see, blinded by this and that, rich but character poor?

All why so many of you are supporting what’s clearly genocide, evil,
A wickedness beyond belief, which your president has wrongly sought to sell.
We seeing starvation, people shot at trying to get food, and aid blocked too,
Every imaginable abomination, thanks to the likes of YOU.

Yes, too bad about the amputations, it seems, those bombed homes, schools, hospitals,
The thousands of women and children killed, which given your support, are your ills.
Yes, that military and monetary aid you’ve supplied Israel with, and
Like your president, you shouting “No ceasefire!" — thus bringing a curse on your land.

Because of your support, Netanyahu feels he can do what he wants, and so
He forges ahead regardless of what others say, reigning blow after blow.
Your cognitively impaired president bungling his way, which really says it all,
Netanyahu having been given impunity, those war crimes off-the-wall.

Until you halt the money and weapons to this settler colonial state,
Israel will just continue its aggressiveness, as it has up to date.
And hey, it like a lion picking on a mouse; and you could’ve ended this war,
But no, indoctrinated otherwise, dignity and conscience at death’s door.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned 28 February 2024.

When The World Knows Otherwise

Not only can the world see the hypocrisy, but staff who work for Biden,
Yet, he still sending bombs, risking an election that Democrats may not win.
Yes, despite experts in the world warning of America’s complicity,
Complete moral failure, all in the person of Biden, but not entirely,

’Cause there’s no doubt more going on here, if-only-one-knew activity,
And thus that proverbial lack of transparency, and hence all why we see
Puppets fronting the media, pushing the propaganda, denying things,
When the world knows otherwise, the evidence clear, and why hollow it all rings.

And leaders of the West not very smart too, unless there’s a plan afoot, say,
'Cause if the Middle East explodes, the impact of such will quickly come their way.
Yes, their sending of weaponry to Israel but stoking the fire, all when
It’s hoses that are needed, but such is the foolishness of such errant men.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned 12 April 2024.

If It Weren't So Tragic, It Would Be A Joke

Oh, America, how you shame yourself, make a fool of yourself, you all talk,
And why at your call for a temporary ceasefire — six weeks — I simply balk.
Yes, if it weren’t so tragic, it would be a joke, ’cause after that ceasefire pause,
And humanitarian delivery, back would come death’s devouring jaws.

In other words, the bombing would start again, and out would come those snipers too,
Killing more Palestinians once their bellies were full, hence it all askew.
Yes, they fattened for slaughtering, as if cattle to be consumed — oh, how sick,
And why that ceasefire needs to be permanent, one doing one’s arithmetic.

A temporary ceasefire plain laughable, but that’s where you’re at, sad to say,
You clearly wanting that war to continue, whereby, more people you’ll slay.
Oh yes, as if you’d dropped those bombs yourself, pulled each trigger, and thus guilty too,
And more so, some would say, ’cause you could’ve stopped it all, but haven’t chosen to

No, because your buddy wants the carnage to continue too, and this all why
You haven’t stopped that evil flow of money and weaponry, nor sought to try.
Oh, how you will be forever remembered throughout Earth’s future history,
And so too Israel, the modern world never having seen such savagery.

You and Israel appear to be co-dependent, and this all being why
You back it up no matter what it does, and are seen to defend any lie.
Israel unable to exist but for America, who needs it too,
Lest the American agenda in the Middle East is seen to go askew.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on 5 March 2024.

"To send aid to the rest who haven't been slaughtered yet, and more bombs to the slaughterers who
then slaughter more amongst the aided, is not only the sickest of jokes but the cruelest of strokes."
The poet, author

"The Gaza crime scene has been protected by police [Israeli and American propaganda] who've tampered
with the evidence, false witnesses [Zionists and errant evangelicals] who've made erroneous claims, the media who've only presented the murderer's [Netanyahu's] side of the story, lawyers [the West] who're on the judge's
payroll, and a judge [Biden] who's a good friend of the murderer."
The poet, author

Why muslim countries don't help Palestine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QCqzNCrW6w

Here's why U.S. elites support Israel no matter what:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH8d7UJNmaA

REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENED IN ISRAEL, THE QUESTION I HAVE TO ASK IS, HOW CAN ANY NATION AND ANY INDIVIDUAL, NOT RISE UP IN ANGER AND PROTEST OVER THE GAZA KILLING FIELDS — THE HELL — THE UTTER DESTRUCTION OF ANY BUILDING STANDING (HOME, SCHOOL, OR HOSPITAL), THE UTTER WASTE OF EARTH'S RESOURCES (VIA WHAT'S BEEN DAMAGED, VIA WHAT WILL BE NEEDED AGAIN, AND VIA WHAT'S BEEN UNNECESSARILY USED VIA THE ORDERS OF ERRANT MEN), THE DREADFUL DAMAGE TO, AND POISONING OF THE LAND (NOT ACCIDENTAL BUT PLANNED), THE UNPARALLELED, BLATANT AND SANCTIONED PERSECUTING, WOUNDING AND MURDERING, WHICH, GIVEN IT'S ALL BEEN ALLOWED TO HAPPEN (A VERY GRAVE SIN), GIVES US MORE REASON TO FEAR TOMORROW, BECAUSE WHO AND WHAT WILL BE NEXT WHERE IT ALSO SUITS, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH PAIN AND SORROW?

Christian content or degree.

Armageddon?

With the war in Ukraine on the minds of all, and a possible third world war,
And scary Hollywood movies painting those apocalyptic scenes, what’s more,
The word Armageddon comes to mind, though such is not a literal battle,
But rather, a cosmic one, which just as strongly, everyone’s life will rattle.

It’s all about darkness and light, good and evil, a God and a devil, who
Desire our heart and mind, one truthful, and one a liar (murderer too).
Yes, an End-time showdown, one of universal significance, and thus
We embracing Satan’s error or the Word and trustworthiness of Jesus.

On one hand Satan working via men, on the other, God working upon men,
Satan poisoning and inciting, God enlightening and restraining, then
Via the Spirit’s empowering, changing for the better, and thus one Christ-like,
Christ having gained the victory, and one thus shouting at Satan, “On yer bike!”

And therefore, both human agencies and heavenly agencies at work here,
We bowing to one or the other, that dividing into camps nearly here.
However, and meantime, such playing out in individual lives each day,
It either God or the devil, God or man, truth or error that we obey.

No, it’s not about Israel, nor somewhere in the middle East, as some think,
Though Satan will indeed try to gain control over all, and we on the brink.
But decision time being now, because tomorrow doesn’t come for many,
And thus Armageddon symbolic, truth or error reigning on Earth, shortly,

Then Christ will come.

Yes, it’s not a literal battle, but one that’s fought over our heart and mind,
A battle that is heating up, one wanting to save, and one wanting to bind.
Yes, one wanting our best, one wanting our worst, the struggle intense and deadly,
Because eternal life or eternal death is the glaring reality.

All why Satan's going all out, plunging the world into darkness, falsehood and lies,
And Christ seeking to warn and enlighten lest His coming catch by surprise.
His Word on one hand, heresy and goobledegook on the other, which means
We're either into truth or fiction, wised-up or misled, come Earth's final scenes.

Oh yes, 'cause things will be wrapping up soon, as all battles finally do, and
Then that penalty or crown, God's reward coming with Him, hence that line in the sand.
We either on His side or Satan's side, rebellion free or still rebelling,
Human probation soon closing, so now's decision time, and time on the wing.

The great controversy, that battle between Christ and Satan, good and evil,
Has always been a battle over hearts and minds, a battle that rages still.
Enter Armageddon, not some worldwide or Middle East battle, but a fight
Over souls, you and me, which reaches a crescendo, its End-time final height.

By Lance Landall

ARMAGEDDON

Armageddon is not a literal battle as many people believe it to be, but rather, a spiritual battle,
and thus:

1) The cosmic struggle between Christ and Satan over the hearts and minds of every person living in Earth’s final hours.
2) The End-time spiritual showdown over the issue of true and false worship. A choice that we must make between the God of truth or the unholy counterfeit trinity of Revelation, and they being: The "dragon" — Satan; The "beast" — a historic persecuting power; and The "image" [copy] of that "beast" — and that "image" being the End-time global power, otherwise known as the "false prophet," a Church and State senario.
3) The battle is called “the battle of that great day of God almighty,” not the battle of Armageddon, and no actual fighting is mentioned.
4) The whole world is involved in this battle, and Armageddon being symbolic of God’s judgement day, that End-time climax before His return.
5) The agencies gathering the nations together are miracle-working demons.
6) Thus Armageddon is simply a symbolic place.

Once again, for the correct biblical position regarding Israel, see the link under my poem Spiritual Israel which includes a diagram.

Christian content or degree.

Armageddon Thoughtlessness

To pray for what you think's Armageddon, believing that will soon see Christ return,
And in the knowledge that so many will be killed, lost forever, should have you squirm,
Because what horrid thinking, your joy being someone’s horror, finality,
And when Christians should be weeping over the lost, not acting so thoughtlessly.

As far as End-time events go, what will be will be, we simply to hang in there,
Faithfully trusting in Christ, and knowing we have the Good News Gospel to share.
And thus it not for us to pray for some apocalyptic scene, although here
Armageddon’s referring to a spiritual battle, Satan’s aim clear.

Yes, because he’s after hearts and minds, and he’ll use any means possible too,
Hoping that via this way or that, the God of love will end up not getting you.
And that’s the battle, friend, not some war on Earth, but in realms unknown to us,
And over our allegiance to either fallen Satan or risen Jesus.

Thinking Armageddon is a literal battle leads to that ill we see,
That sickening pro-Israel go-get-’em, and consequent atrocity.
Christ dying for both Jews and gentiles, all who’ll accept Him, so mind that folly,
That propagated biblical misinterpretation that’s mere heresy.

And it all aided by that false rapture theory too, Christendom well astray —
Well, so many within Christendom; similar wolves operating today.
God not removing anyone from the End-time troubles ahead, but only
Rescuing come His return, and hence our hanging in there, End-time loyalty.

By Lance Landall

This alternative capitalised poem is titled.

HOW DO WE GET THERE?

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT’S ALL ABOUT HUMANITY — PEOPLE — AND NOT REALLY ISRAEL, GAZA OR UKRAINE, SAY, BUT THE EVIL OF WOUNDING AND KILLING, BE SUCH VIA BULLETS OR SHELLING — YES, THE WICKEDNESS OF MISTREATING AND VIOLATING HUMANITY, THOSE WAR CRIMES OF GLOBAL INFAMY — IN OTHER WORDS, THAT SAME INSANITY, CARRIED OUT BY FOOLS AND WARMONGERS (AIDED BY SUPPORTERS, SUPPLIERS AND PROPAGANDISTS, SADLY, ALL GUILTY TOO), WHO’VE PLAGUED EARTH’S HISTORY, AND THOSE WHO'VE DRIVEN PEOPLE TO ARMS (NO NAIL SCAR ON THEIR OPPRESSIVE PALMS), OR THOSE WITH CERTAIN AGENDAS — OH YES, THEY ALL BEING THE WORST OF OFFENDERS, WHO, VIA THEIR TORTURING, WOUNDING AND KILLING, HEARTLESS INDISCRIMINATE SHELLING, DESTROY CITIES WHILST FOULING OUR PLANET TOO, AND ALSO VIA THOSE LANDMINES THEY STREW, CHEMICALS AND CLUSTER BOMBS TOO, BUT WHATEVER BE THE CASE, A CRIMINAL COURT IS WHAT THEY SHOULD FACE, PLUS THE ROAR OF A GLOBAL CROWD, LONG AND VERY LOUD:
“STOP THE MISTREATMENT AND VIOLATION OF HUMANITY, BECAUSE IT’S NOTHING BUT INSANITY, LET ALONE SELFISH, CALLOUS, CRUEL AND EVIL, THE BEHAVIOUR AND MENTALITY OF A FOOL, WHO, TRAMPLES OVER DECENCY, KNOWS NOT NOBILITY AND INTEGRITY, TRUE PURPOSE AND DIRECTION, NOR A LOVE THAT’S HEAVENLY, AND NOR ANY RULE!”
YES, IT ALL SO ASKEW, YET ON AND ON IT GOES, AND WHY EVEN MORE BLOOD FLOWS — OH, THE SUFFERING OF THE PERSECUTED, TORTURED AND WOUNDED, WHO’RE OFTEN, AND THEREBY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY WOUNDED, AND SUCH MISTREATMENT BUT LIGHTING THE FIRES OF REVENGE (OFTEN DISPROPORTIONATE), OR ON BEHALF OF THE WOUNDED, OTHERS SEEKING TO AVENGE, AND ROUND AND ROUND THAT SAD OLD CAROUSEL GOES, WHICH THE UTTER MADNESS OF IT ALL SHOWS, AND WHY WE SHOULD’VE LEARNT BY NOW, AND HOW, BUT NO, SO OFF WE GO, HENCE WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS, THUS THERE HARDLY A PAUSE, AND HOW CAN IT CHANGE, BUT VIA HEARTS AND MINDS, AN INNER CHANGE, A NEEDED CHANGE, AN URGENT CHANGE, BUT OH, HOW DO WE GET THERE?
EVERY HUMAN SHOULD BE SEEN AS PRECIOUS, THUS LIFE SACROSANCT, A NO-GO ZONE COME HURT OR PAIN, AND WHY FROM VIOLENCE OF ANY SORT, ALL SHOULD ABSTAIN, THERE NOTHING GOOD TO BE GAINED BY SUCH, AND ALL WHY WEAPONRY ONE SHOULDN’T CLUTCH, AND SELF-DEFENCE SOMETIMES JUST AN EXCUSE, OR A CONVENIENT EXCUSE, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE ABUSE (WHAT SOME REALLY WANT DONE, BE IT VIA BRUTE FORCE OR A GUN), AND AS FOR WHAT’S DONE IN GOD’S NAME, OH, THE SHAME, IT ALL THE SAME — YES, VIOLENCE, REVENGE AND WARMONGERING BUT THE TERRITORY OF THE DELUDED, OPPORTUNISTS INCLUDED, AND WHY IT ALL NEEDS TO STOP, AND STARTING RIGHT AT THE TOP, BUT OH,
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
THOUGH WHAT HAMAS DID IN ISRAEL WAS EVIL, AND GIVEN NO ONE SHOULD SEEK TO WOUND OR KILL,
THE ABILITY TO GET AWAY WITH SHOCKING AND YET SANCTIONED LIES, MURDER AND DESTRUCTION, AND BLATANTLY SO, AIDED AND ABETTED BY AN INHUMANE SIDESHOW, AND THOSE WHO BETTER SHOULD KNOW, HAS CLEARLY BEEN SEEN IN GAZA (FAR MORE SO IN RECENT TIMES THAN PAST TIMES), A CRIMINALITY AND BARBARISM BEYOND BELIEF, A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER, THE WHEELS OF EVIL RUNNING FASTER, THUS LEAVING BEHIND GENERATIONS OF GRIEF, AND ANGER, WE SEEMINGLY STILL UNENLIGHTENED, AND JUDGMENT WISE, HARDLY FRIGHTENED, BUT OBSTINATELY DETERMINED, AND THUS SOLDIERS (LOVED ONES) USED LIKE EQUIPMENT, AS IF THEY'RE SIMPLY HANDY AND EXPENDABLE, AND UKRAINE ANOTHER EXAMPLE, ANOTHER HELL, AND ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER BOMBED HOME, SCHOOL OR HOSPITAL, MULTIPLIED BY.....WELL, THE BLOODSHED (ALL-ROUND) MAXIMIZED RATHER THAN MINIMIZED — YES, IT ALL HYPOCRITICAL, INCLUDING BRAINLESS, MORALLESS, MERCILESS AND TREACHEROUS, JUSTIFICATIONS COMING THICK AND FAST, THUS STILL STUCK IN THE MIRE OF THE PAST, HENCE THAT EYE FOR AN EYE, NO, THAT BODY FOR AN EYE, THAT COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT AND MORE; A MENTALITY THAT NEEDS TO DIE! — OH, HOW THEY ERR, AND DIVINE WRATH STIR, AND WHY I ASK, HOW DO WE GET THERE?
AND ADDING TO THAT TOXIC MIX, BIBLICAL MISINTERPRETATION, THE STONING OF STEPHEN HAVING BROUGHT AN END TO THAT CHOSEN NATION (ISRAEL) — AND BY THAT I MEAN, THAT THEOCRACY HAVING PASSED FROM THE SCENE, IT NO LONGER GOD'S CHOSEN NATION, BUT NOW A DIVORCEE, THEY HAVING CRIED, "CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM," AND, "WE KNOW NO KING BUT CAESAR," FOOLISHLY, AND THEN STONING THE APOSTLE STEPHEN, WICKEDLY; AND THUS ZIONISM BEING SOMETHING THAT MAN HAS CREATED, NOT SOMETHING THAT IS BIBLICALLY STATED, THUS CERTAIN CLAIMS NO LONGER VALID, AND WHY I'M STILL ASKING, "HOW DO WE GET THERE? HOW DO WE GET THERE?"

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on October 2023, and added to on 10 November 2023.

You may wish to read the article God, War And Violence which is found on my page The Evil Of Violence.

“And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and
plant it, but if it does evil in My sight, not listening to My voice, then I will change My mind
about the good that I had intended to do to it” (Jer 18:9,10).

“ ‘Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you [an unbelieving Israel]
and given to a people producing its fruits [the Christian Church, individuals, not a nation]’ ” (Matt 21:43, ESV).

Biblically speaking, when the Jewish nation turned against Christ, Christ rejected it, leaving it to its demise, and that being, that the Jews were scattered to other parts of the world (as predicted) under Roman rule, and given those Jewish revolts that took place which angered the Romans. Thus the land God had given them being removed from them, their probation time up, as clearly conveyed in the Christian Bible. Thus Zionism running contrary to such, and why Israel is now but an illegal settler colonial state that has been forcing the Palestinian inhabitants out who’ve always lived their.

“We are fighting human animals, and we are acting accordingly,”
Yoav Gallant, Israeli defence minister, October 9, 2023

"We are dropping hundreds of tons of bombs on Gaza. The focus is on destruction, not accuracy."
Daniel Hagar, Israeli spokesman

"We will turn Gaza into an island of ruins."
Benjamin Netanyahu

"I am personally proud of the ruins in Gaza."
May Golan, Israeli government minister

“Gaza will eventually turn into a city of tents."
IDF official

"Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst."
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)

"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it with religious conviction."
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

Statistics.
The toll of collective punishment (genocide) and deliberate destruction that has occurred during
the Gaza war (at the time of penning this, 22 December 2024, and as best I've been able):
233 UNRWA staff killed in Gaza.
Well over 700 Palestinian health workers killed, and 130 wounded, not to mention the many ambulances, clinics, hospitals, homes and schools, etc, that have been deliberately targeted too, destroyed or put out of action; 396 educational facilities damaged or destroyed, more than half of Gaza's homes destroyed or damaged, only 3 out of 35 hospitals partially functional, 130 ambulances damaged, 267 places of worship, 80% of commercial facilities, 83% of ground water wells damaged or destroyed, 68% of cropland, 68% of road networks, and all these numbers rising.
180 journalists and media workers killed in Gaza, and 50 media premises destroyed.
Over 45,192 Palestinians killed (70% being women and children), over 107,338 injured, and at least 11,000 minors reported missing, presumably trapped under rubble and dead, and a number having been detained and removed from Gaza (and who knows what's happened to them).
Over 1,000 children have had to have amputations, and 24,000 have lost their parents (are now orphans).
By the way: Before the war, half the children had mental health issues thanks to decades of Israeli mistreatment of the Palestinians. In 2022, half had contemplated suicide.
2 million Palestinians displaced (total population of Gaza being 2.3 million. 1.7 million live in refuge camps).
Well over 10,000 air strikes on Gaza.
Now 1.8 million cases of infectious disease in Gaza.
And in the West Bank:
Over 817 Palestinians killed (159 children), over 6,250 wounded, and over 9,280 detained (not to mention more houses bulldozed).

Yes, American funded cowardice, because America has helped with all this by supplying Israel with well over 15,000 bombs (including 100 bunker buster bombs, proof of doublespeak), over 57,000 artillery shells, and including horrific white phosphorous munitions; and by the way, provides Israel with over three billion dollars a year of military funding (so much for the poverty and so on back in America). These statistics are rather old now, so one hates to think.
A recent report estimates that Israel has dropped 70,000 tons of bombs on Gaza, which is the size of a postage stamp.

WAR MAY FORCE A RESULT, BUT IT NEVER PROVIDES AN ANSWER.

"There are often elements of truth in propaganda, and that is what makes it more believable and dangerous."
The poet, author

WHEN WE ACT LIKE OUR ENEMY, WE'RE AS BAD AS OUR ENEMY.

Craig Mokhiber, the head of the UN human rights office, resigned due to what he called
the organisation's failure to address not only Israel's apartheid policies, but textbook
genocide being carried out by Israel's military in Gaza. Here he is on the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ1b3nHq8YY

Watch this very good video featuring John Mearsheimer, author of the book:
The Israel Lobby And U.S. Foreign Policy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc0mws9NT-0

Watch this very good video featuring Daniel Levy, former Israeli negotiator:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLi2tXUR48M

Watch this very good video featuring Jeremy Scahill, author of the book Dirty Wars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuN9GPPIfFo

"I believe there is a deliberate attempt to strangel our operations in Gaza."
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA chief, October, 2023

"When people rise up against their oppressor, and under final straw provocation, it's hardly terrorism,
but resistance, cause and effect."

"Every war is an atrocity, but every war that could have been avoided is a crime in which soldiers became criminals."

"It's all about the protection of everyone, creating a loathing of, and the silencing of, every
shout of hatred and roar of gun."
The poet, author

"The past is prophetic in that it asserts loudly that wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

"What is absurd and monstrous about war is that men who have no personal quarrel should
be trained to murder one another in cold blood."
Aldous Huxley

"No war by any nation in any age has ever been declared by the people."
Eugene Debs

Too much, or simply what suits, is read into Solomon’s “a time to kill,” or “a time for war,” and given that Solomon didn’t clarify his statements. “A time to kill” may have simply been Solomon referring to certain measures for the protection of threatened communities (self-defence, "war" in that sense), or an injured domestic animal, say, and thus the extent of its injury determining whether it would be more merciful to put it out of its misery or not.

The truth is, few Israelis know the truth of things, having been indoctrinated otherwise,
and that can be said of many others too in the world.

International Court of Justice ruling (26 January 2024):
1) That there's sufficient evidence of possible genocide to warrant an investigation, which will take place.
2) That Israel must take immediate steps to ensure that nothing of a genocidal nature is occurring in Gaza.
3) That Israel must immediately allow humanitarian aid into Gaza that it has been preventing
4) That Israel must present evidence of the fulfilment of these things within a month.

Two interesting things to note:
1) In order to get a DNA test in Israel, one has to apply to the courts.
2) Israel colaborated with South Africa's apartheid leaders.

Christian content or degree.

Netanyahu's biblical reference to Amalek shows clear genocidal intent and a total
ignorance of the true biblical postion of Israel in point of time.

“ ‘Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you [an unbelieving Israel] and given
to a people producing its fruits [the Christian Church, individuals, not a nation]’ ” (Matt 21:43, ESV).

Silence Condemns Us

One cannot turn to the Old Testament to justify certain things today,
Like that slaughter and destruction in Gaza, it sheer hate and revenge at play.
And hey, it’s strange how Israel knew a year in advance of such an attack,
And yet, come October, certain things not working, and security quite slack.

But as far as those ancient days went, and that eye for an eye mentality,
God’s prerogatives aren’t man’s prerogatives, and back then, God ruled directly.
And Christ’s entrance ushering in a whole new order of things, gone those past days,
Those draconian ways, that old theocracy, Christ speaking of better ways.

But biblical misinterpretation adding to the mix, and hence why we
See the wrongful supporting of this and that, and that same sad mentality.
And all when Christians should know better, such slaughter and destruction but evil,
Man’s call, not God’s call, hate and revenge at play, Netanyahu’s determined will.

Even many non-Christians knowing better, it an apocalyptic hell,
Barbarity on steroids, precious human life simply dispensed with at will.
Yes, anything fair game for bombs, like homes, schools and hospitals, and why we see
Unprecedented slaughter and destruction, what’s opposite to the heavenly.

America having aided and abetted having lost it’s humanity,
Thus a faulty witness, and why many aren’t in love with Christianity,
And why I ask, “Aren’t Palestinians allowed liberty too, or just we?”
They having been stood over for decades, and like us, are wanting to be free.

Yes, ’cause they’re human beings too, not that one would think so given the slaughter,
And thus the dead, dying or wounded, someone’s much love mum, dad, son or daughter.
Oh, the gigantic wrong of it — if we have the sensitivity, that is,
That Christ-likeness to see, thus Biden’s seeming concern nothing but pop and fizz.

“No ceasefire,” and just watching the bodies piling up, the buildings going down,
And then that rain and flooding — oh, how many under all that rubble might drown?
No, Netanyahu hardly bothered by it either, yet, it’s HUMAN LIFE! Oh,
Praise God that there’s a judgement to come, and when the truth of it all, we will know.

Oh, how do they sleep at night, the bloody killing-fields-of-Gaza screaming foul,
Oh, those poor wee kids, and all why the wolverines of anger and justice howl.
Oh yes, where such atrocities take place, silence condemns us, well and truly,
Our protest not anti-Semitic, but pro-life, and that’s all of us, surely.

Well, sad to say, it doesn’t appear to be all of us, and nor all Christians,
Many shouting “No ceasefire!” too, thus adding to their own quantity of sins.
Oh, the wrong of justifying that apocalyptic scene, that hell on Earth,
Which, certain Israelis on TikTok, have made a despicable source of mirth.

Mirth!? — yes, thus insult to injury, and God taking it all into account,
He not interested in sides, and nor should we be, as all those bodies mount.
War getting some result, but hardly providing answers, the problems still there,
The root cause stemming from un-Christ-like hearts and minds, what’s selfish, wrong, cruel and unfair.

Yes, back in those ancient days, God worked in accordance with the situation,
Dealing with a stubborn people, and many a nasty surrounding nation.
But after the cross, it hands off, so to speak, a case of what will be will be,
Though God knowing exactly, He still in control overall, which in time we’ll see.

Meantime, it’s not for Christians to pick sides, nor to go where angels fear to tread,
But to uphold the sanctity of life, and, whilst minding what is done and said.
Yes, the world’s watching, so dare they be a part of the problem, a sin indeed
’Cause Christians are Christ’s ambassadors, who, “Love your enemies,” are meant to heed.

The truth is, that a sanctioned atrocity is a greater atrocity,
And a potential threat to all, ’cause who might be next where deemed necessary?
You? Me? And for what reason? The wishes of a majority? Oh dear me.
Yes, you can see where it’s heading, and why we should condemn any atrocity.

So no wonder this world’s in bad shape, and why many back the wrong horse, and do
Things that they shouldn’t do, often terribly errant in their belief or view.
It more about their way than God’s way, yet they still using His name — oh, the shame,
And how ill gets the tick of approval, those who know better acting the same.

By Lance Landall

“ ‘Seventy weeks [490 years] are decreed [allotted] for your people [ancient Israel] and
your holy city: to finish the transgression [stop rebelling]…’ ” (Dan 9:24).

Sadly, they didn't stop rebelling, and that's where it all ended.

Christian content or degree.

SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

WHEN CHRIST DIED ON CALVARY, THERE WAS NO MORE NEED OF AN EARTHLY TEMPLE, AND SUCH WAS SIGNIFIED BY THE RIPPING OF THE EARTHLY TEMPLE CURTAIN (IT BEING THE LAST TEMPLE), CHRIST HAVING CRIED OUT, "IT IS FINISHED!", AND THUS ONE'S SALVATION CERTAIN, AND THEREFORE, WORKS, RITUALS AND A THIRD TEMPLE BUT BLASPHEMY — YES, A SLAP IN CHRIST'S FACE GIVEN THAT WHAT HE DID, HE DID ONCE AND FOR ALL, AND SUCCESSFULLY, AND THUS ADDING TO SUCH, BUT A GALL.
AND SHORTLY AFTER, THE GUARDIANSHIP OF HIS TRUTHS WERE REMOVED FROM AN UNBELIEVING ISRAEL AND HANDED TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH — SPIRITUAL ISRAEL — THUS GONE THAT OLD THEOCRACY, IT HAVING FAILED THE TEST, THERE NO FUTURE GATHERING OF THE JEWS, SUCH SIMPLY BELONGING TO THE LIST OF MISTAKEN VIEWS, AND THIS ONE BUT HAVING SADLY AIDED THE MISTREATMENT OF THE PALESTINIANS, AND TURNED A BLIND EYE TO MODERN ISRAEL'S GRIEVOUS SINS, AND WHEN EVERY HUMAN IS PRECIOUS IN GOD'S EYES, AND THUS LOVE AND MERCY BEING WHERE THE ANSWER LIES, NOT IN REVENGE, AND IT GOD WHO SAID HE'D AVENGE, AND THUS WE LIVING POST-CALVARY, NOT PRE-CALVARY, SO WOE TO ANY, WHO CONTEMPORARY GENOCIDE DEFEND.
YES, THERE'S NO MORE BLOOD TO BE SPILT, BE IT THE BLOOD OF A HUMAN OR THE BLOOD OF AN ANIMAL, AND WHY ON THE LIKES OF ROSARY BEADS, TEMPLES AND ASCETIC BEHAVIOUR, OUR FAITH'S NOT TO BE BUILT, BUT ON THE BLOOD OF JESUS, WHO, VIA HIS WORD, WARNS US NOT TO ADD TO, OR SUBTRACT FROM, WHAT HE'S SAID, NOR WHAT HE'S DONE.

Zionism: Human devising and biblical misinterpretation.

“ ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king [God the Father] who gave a wedding banquet for his son [Christ]. He sent his slaves [John the Baptist, Christ and His disciples] to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet [the Jews], but they would not come [the rejection of the Gospel by the Jews, particularly the leaders]. Again he sent other slaves [the disciples, after Christ’s crucifixion], saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them [the Jewish persecutions of the early Christian church, e.g. Stephen’s stoning]. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, [bands of Roman soldiers under Titus, who was then only a prince] destroyed those murderers [more than one million Jews perished], and burned their city [this literally took place when Jerusalem and the second temple were destroyed by the Romans in A.D 70 (Dan 9:26)]’ ” (Matt 22:2-7).

For the true biblical position on Israel, click on the following link. Includes a chart:

Oh Ancient Israel

Christian content or degree.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE GAZA AND WEST BANK PICTURE, AND THEN READ, "BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM," AS STATED IN SCRIPTURE, I SEE SO MUCH TO CONDEMN (GREAT REASON FOR CONCERN), LIKE THE BOMBING OF HOMES, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND MORE, FRUIT THAT'S CLEARLY ROTTEN TO THE CORE, AND THUS GOD HARDLY TO BE FOUND THERE, BUT RATHER, THE INSTIGATOR OF SUCH EVIL AND FEAR — YES, A DEVIL, WHO IN WAR AND STRIFE LOVES TO REVEL, AND WHOSE MODUS OPERANDI INCLUDES THE DELUDED, THE ERRANT, THE MISTAKEN, AND THE OUTRIGHT HYPOCRITE, WHO IN THE SEAT OF FALSE WITNESS, NOT THE SEAT OF TRUE WITNESS, IS SEEN TO SIT, AND AS IN THIS CASE (MINUS LOVE AND GRACE), DIRECTS THAT DAMAGE, INJURY AND SLAUGHTER THAT'S SEEN (A FAR TOO COMMON SCENE), AND WHEN IT COULD'VE BEEN AVOIDED AND PREVENTED, BUT ERRANCY AND FOLLY HAVING CONSENTED, DESPITE SCRIPTURE BEING PLAIN AND CLEAR, AND HENCE WHY THE ONLY FRUIT THERE, BOTH BLATANT AND WRONGLY SANCTIONED, IS FRUIT THAT'S GONE TERRIBLY BAD, AND WHY IN BODY BAGS THERE'S MORE THAN ONE MUM AND DAD — YES, "ALMIGHTY REVENGE" HAVING TAKEN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN TOO, NOT THAT THEY WOULD'VE HAD HOMES TO RETURN TO, BUT A SCENE REEKING OF UNHINGED REVENGE, A MENTALITY THAT'S OLDER THAT STONEHENGE, A TREE THAT CAN ONLY BUT BEAR BAD FRUIT, ONE THAT'S POISONED AT THE ROOT, AND WHY YOU'LL ALWAYS KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS.
YOU SEE, SELF-DEFENCE WOULD'VE DONE, SUCH UNDERSTOOD BY GOD'S SON, BUT LEVELING CITIES — OH, PLEASE — THERE'S NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THAT! AND ALL WHY ONE WOULD SMELL A RAT, BUT THE VERY WORDS FROM THE MOUTHS OF THE LEADERS THEMSELVES, EVIDENCE ENOUGH, PROVING WHERE IT'S AT.

"Thou shalt not murder is hardly old fashioned, nor religious twaddle, but words of wisdom and safety."
The poet, author

Contains Christian content or degree.

With Gaza In Mind

I wonder who will be the victims of another sanctioned atrocity,
Like that in Gaza, and in the supposed name of God too, delusionally,
'Cause interestingly,
The Bible speaks of an End-time global power that issues a death decree,
Which can only be another sanctioned genocide, legislated killing spree.

Now, you may not believe in the Bible, but sanction one, and then why not two,
And so it soon goes, which wisdom knows, and why such, wisdom wouldn't think to do.
But not so those who take the path of folly, and who errantly use God’s name,
Wrongly convinced and dangerously astray, and who oft find scapegoats to blame.

And that End-time power having a religious nature, enter Church and State,
’Cause it demands that all worship it, and therefore, it’s strength and clout being great.
Yes, it’s all there in the book of Revelation, which covers final events,
Thus this too being why forbidding any atrocity makes so much sense.

And who might endorse it all, but the devil himself, who may act as Jesus,
Thus appearing on Earth at some stage, and in an attempt to fool all of us.
The battle between God and him, good and evil, drawing closer to its end,
And thus the gloves soon off — and the biggest deception of all time, ’round the bend.

By Lance Landall

"Then I [the apostle John] saw another beast [power] coming out of the earth [a newer land]. He had two horns [civil-religious liberty] like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon [changes character]. He exercised all the authority of the first beast [a past persecuting power] on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast [fulfills the past power's historic evil intentions], whose wound had been healed [it reviving from its previous historic fall]" (Rev 13:11,12, NIV).

“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image [copy], and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God…’ ”
(Rev 14:9,10, NKJV).

It could be said that the following text kind of fits here too, though referring to a past time and place:

"...and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or Me" (John 16:2, NLT).

Decades In The Making

When the victims of a holocaust indulge in atrocities too, oh dear,
The sheer hypocrisy, and when they’ve made so much noise, their condemnation clear.
And thus so much for any memorial, the moral high ground having gone,
And why over the hell in Gaza, Israel’s facing both charges and scorn,

And hence why now, a Gazan memorial museum is about to be born.

There’s no question of war crimes, barbarity, religious fanaticism, and
Insane, over-the-top destruction of infrastructure, buildings, crops and land.
The evil leaving one gasping, those Hitler-like resemblances, which convey
A close mentality, naught having been learnt, and thus revenge sweet, as they say.

And thus the West complicit, a willing lapdog to more American ill,
The terrorising of an innocent people, an apocalyptic hell.
Such never acceptable anywhere, and religion having paid a part,
A shocking event in Earth’s history, the work of a seared conscience, sick heart.

The truth is, that October seven attack wouldn’t have happened if Israel
Hadn’t treated the Gazans so bad for decades, hence that armed resistance still.
And thus Israel’s cruelty having sown the seeds of payback and blowback,
And yet it still hell-bent on doing the same, despite court rulings or more flack.

All why I say, a sanctioned atrocity is a greater atrocity,
And a potential threat to all, because who might be next? — yes, anybody.
And all why restraint should be the order of the day, despite provocation,
Because revenge, or a body for an eye, just inflames the situation.

But whatever the case be, innocent deaths should be avoided, minimised,
Hardly the case in Gaza, where Israel, the sanctity of life hasn't prized.
But rather, has chosen destruction over accuracy, and sought to kill,
Shooting at the likes of fleeing Palestinians, which is just plain evil.

And that's only one of the many war crimes hidden behind impunity
Handed to them on a plate, but the court of justice seeing differently.
And billions of others too, awake to the propaganda, true agenda,
Most blatant, sanctioned atrocity, and thus Israel the real offender,

It all decades in the making — yes, sickening, appalling and alarming.

And America in the thick of it, up to its neck in it, and despite
Noises of concern, and certain protestations — oh yes, well aware, alright.
Netanyahu and Biden having been very good friends, and as well as this,
Biden a Zionst, thus not impartial, and there is more that people miss,

Like Antony Blinken being a Jew, and thus under the sun, nothing new.

When Russia did in Ukraine what Israel's done in Gaza, Biden and all
Spoke of war crimes, which in Gaza, metamorphosed into self-defence — oh, the gall.
Yes, what hypocrisy, too bad about apartheid as well, and then that clamp down,
The mainstream media complicit, puppet reporters, who in same guilt drown.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on 28 January 2024.

Two books worth reading: Dirty Wars and Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s
Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill.

Truth Doesn't Mince Its Words

Dear Benjamin — with due respect — I have to question your intelligence, sense,
’Cause surely you know you’ve upped the hatred, recruits too; it a cruel life in tents,
And more so when it floods, and when you can’t get food, water and medical care,
Midst further bombing in so-called safe zones, and thus how you’ve terribly erred here.

And continuing such after the Court of Justice ruling simply makes you
Look a bigger monster, criminal, who the consequences of such, are due.
Yes, a warrant for your arrest, ’cause that death and destruction has been insane,
And reeks of hypocrisy and blasphemy, ’cause you have dared to use God’s name.

The truth is, you’ve created your own holocaust, Gaza full of amputees,
People slowly dying under rubble, or in hospitals you’ve sought to seize.
Oh, how strong your hatred is, your desire for revenge, which says much about you,
And its all bad, sad to say, because your thinking and actions are so askew.

Oh yes, little respect for life has been shown, and many of us would say none,
You too far right to see, along with racism and bigotry — heil the gun.
And many having to be operated on without an anaesthetic,
All due to you withholding such, and more — man, that’s what I call cruel, and some, sick.

Yes, it reminds of concentration camps, starvation, beatings, and rounding up,
Let alone those decades of oppression, imprisonment — oh, how full your cup.
I could say I’m sorry to put it so bluntly, but the suffering and pain
Is not just current, but will continue for generations — your horrid stain.

Yes, history won’t forget you, nor those who’ve helped you, they just as guilty too,
But you, Sir, had the power in your hands, and the results of such bombing knew.
Your comments and those of your colleagues shouting genocidal intent, and why
I question your intelligence, those words self indicting, and why “Foul!” I cry.

Self-defence, huh? Well, you could’ve fooled me — yes, it way beyond any such thing,
And in fact, the death and destruction certainly has a genocidal ring.
Sad to say, you’ve been another one of history’s fools, your response evil,
And thus the legacy that you’ve left behind being nothing short of a hell.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on 30 January 2024.

That State Of The Union Address

Oh my, a lot of talk about looking after American kids, and when
Biden’s given white phosphorus bombs and guns to Israeli children killing men.
Hypocrisy on steroids, ’cause he’ll look after Americans, but Gazans? No,
Thirty thousand murdered and climbing, thirteen thousand children and climbing, oh, oh.

Yes, something’s terribly wrong, talk of social improvements, but as for Gaza, hey,
It’s only but a strip, and a few million, so let those bulldozers have their way.
Get the picture? It hardly a nice one, and racism coming to mind here too,
That State Of The Union address ringing hollow, God thinking so too, in my view.

Remember “Let the little children come unto me?” And who spoke of widows too?
But not in Gaza, both women and kids slaughtered, who weren’t even free — how askew.
But Biden waxing lyrical about doing the best for Americans, who
Live in luxury compared to those Gazans, whose lives are/were just as precious too.

By Lance Landall

This poem was penned on 8 March 2024.

The Lovers Of All

Oh, what a mess you’ve both created — yes, you America, you, Israel,
Neither of you trustable, hypocrisy and complicity off the scale.
And you, America, having gone from a symbol of liberty
To a threat to liberty, given what you’ve sanctioned and vetoed, horribly.

That apocalyptic hell in Gaza was clearly preventable, but no,
You backed, supported, and sanctioned it all, which makes you guilty from go to whoa.
And thus anything you do now, worthy of serious scrutiny by all
And as for Israel, she too, forever will stand condemned — it off the wall.

Yes, what the two of you have done in Gaza will always be remembered, and
Not just for the genocide, but the destruction of the Gazan’s rightful land,
And how anyone, anything, and everything was fair game, and why we,
The lovers of all — humanity — condemn your barbaric atrocity.

By Lance Landall

Contains Christian content or degree.

DEAR FELLOW CHRISTIAN, NONE OF US FREE OF SIN, PLEASE FORGIVE MY FRANKNESS HERE, MY PASSION HERE, MY UPSET HERE — AND I’VE A SENSE OF SHAME — BECAUSE HOW DARE YOU SPEAK IN GOD'S NAME, SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT ISRAEL HAS DONE IN GAZA (AND IN UKRAINE, PUTIN THE SAME).
BY DOING SO, WHICH BETTER YOU SHOULD KNOW, YOU'RE EFFECTIVELY SPEAKING IN MY NAME, AND THUS HOW YOU DEFAME ME AS A CHRISTIAN, THEREBY APPORTIONING BLAME, BECAUSE I DON'T SUPPORT SUCH EVIL, AND NOR DO I BELIEVE THAT GOD SUPPORTS SUCH ILL.
THE TRUTH IS, YOU'VE GOT IT ALL WRONG, THAT OLD THEOCRACY GONE, AND THUS GOD NOT DIRECTING IT ANYMORE, NOR SANCTIONING ANY WAR, AND CHRIST HAVING USHERED IN A NEW ERA, NOT ONE THAT OPERATES AS BEFORE, AND HERE, CARRIES OUT SAME HAMAS TYPE TERROR.
SO PLEASE, DOWN ON YOUR KNEES, BECAUSE WHERE'S YOUR CONSCIENCE, YOUR CHRIST-LIKENESS, YOUR IMPARTIAL, TENDER, EMPATHETIC, COMPASSIONATE, MERCIFUL HEART? — OH, WHERE ON EARTH DO I START.
THIS IS NOT A PROPHETIC WAR, BUT THE RESULT OF BRITISH FOLLY AND BRUTAL ISRAELI OPPRESSION, ALL OF WHICH HAS BEEN AIDED AND SANCTIONED BY ERRANT AMERICAN ZIONISM, THAT HERE, KNOWS NO LAW.
AND SO, WE'RE LOOKING AT A HELL, A HELL THAT ENDANGERS US ALL, AND A HELL THAT WORSENS THAT AGE-OLD CHILL, BECAUSE A LIFE IS A LIFE, AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO PUT AWAY STRIFE, NOT CHEER IT, NOT SUPPORT IT, NOT SANCTION IT, BUT CONDEMN IT, BECAUSE IT'S BARBARIC, MURDEROUS, RACIST, CLEAR-CUT GENOCIDE, PLAIN WANTON DESTRUCTION, MADNESS, AND YOU’RE COMPLICIT, NOT ME, SO PLEASE LEAVE OFF IN GOD’S NAME!

"To take the sword, gun, or bomb in Christ's name is to repudiate both Christ and his message."
John C. Lennox

"Religious and racial persecution is moronic at all times, perhaps the most idiotic of human stupidities."
Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)

"Take biblical misinterpretation, and add it to politics, and you've got a Gaza situation,
which horrific and pointless evil inflicts."
The poet, author

Christian content or degree.

All Of His Children

We all derive from the hands of God who created Adam and Eve, and said
To “Go forth and multiply,” thereby creating others who would also wed.
And thus our origin being in God, from creation to procreation,
Enter humanity, the children of God, spread throughout every nation.

Yes, we’re all one, regardless of colour, gender, or whatever, and therefore,
We have a heavenly parent as well as an earthly parent, and what’s more,
Our heavenly Father is a King, one who sent His Son to rescue us all,
All who would accept Him, that is, humanity needing saving since the Fall.

And hence God’s grace, Christ’s soon return, and that resurrection day, so very near,
The hope of those desiring relief from oppression, suffering, hurt and fear.
And they can be anyone from anywhere, it an individual thing,
Not a group or nation, but sadly, most individuals not responding.

But that aside, no one is more precious that anyone else, all but the same,
Heirs to a kingdom — should they choose such — taking on the Christian mantle, Christ’s name.
He having no special people, though allotting tasks where some need there may be,
And the Good News Gospel for all Christians to share, that hope that comes via Calvary.

Yes, a cross that knows nothing of racism, God’s love being for everyone,
All of His children — humanity — and why NO ONE we should mistreat or shun.
And this why we should take our salvation seriously, showing thought and care
To everyone, ’cause that’s what God wants — and hurt His children, we shouldn’t dare.

By Lance Landall

Christian content or degree.

The God Of The Old Testament

Ancient Israel was a theocracy, one that was ruled by God himself (no nation now though),
The cross wrapping up that ancient people’s rebelliousness, which any Bible student should know.
And hence why God doesn't operate in quite the same way as then, but wherever He did so,
His methods at the time, a contextual wisdom, fairness, goodness and all seeing knowledge show.

Oh yes, they not only a raggle taggle bunch, but they stubborn and “eye for an eye” types too,
Such God seeking to make fairer at the time, bigger changes needing far more time, as they do.
But the Israelites were often surrounded by nations whose cup of iniquity was full,
Hence those surgical actions that God allowed or took where He deemed such was justifiable.

So much is misunderstood by those who’re ignorant of the exact whys and wherefores,
God dealing with a certain time period and mindset, hence particular rituals and laws,
All of which were designed to preserve a chosen people and bring them up by their rough bootstraps,
Given that they were always complaining, rebelling — and between themselves, often locked in spats.

Hence why not all they did should be copied, for when it came to God’s will, they oft went contrary,
Which is why God, on several occasions, allowed them to be taken into captivity.
Or why certain things befell them, they having ignored God’s warnings and what He said would occur,
And so it is today that folk oft suffer too when they rebelliously do what they prefer.

The truth is, that God actually showed amazing restraint given their dreadful behaviour,
And to top it off, look how that people treated the "coming Messiah," their very Saviour!
And yes, regarding the surrounding pagan nations, God showed remarkable restraint there too,
Which says much about His love and mercy, for much that He could’ve done to them, He didn’t do.

And let us remember this too: That both His people and surrounding pagan nations were warned,
But oft to no avail, His people still rebelling, and oh, how pagan nations such warnings scorned.
Hence what befell them both, though if God hadn’t allowed the destruction of many a nation
(Sexual diseases and so on being rampant), we may've seen the end of civilisation.

Yes, such being the reason for the flood, as only Noah and his family were free of evil,
God giving humanity another chance after that watery deluge-cum-upheaval.
But here we are now, things becoming as bad as back then — yes, "As in the days of Noah,” we’re told,
Hence Christ’s soon return-cum-rescue of those who’re like Noah and his family, and God’s will uphold.

By Lance Landall

For a further understanding of all this, see the article titled: God, War And Violence,
which can be seen on my page: The Evil Of Violence.

Christian content or degree.

Along Came Christ

Along came Christ, who said, love your enemies, do good to them who do this or that,
Bad stuff to you, yet Christians are pulling something contrary out of their hat.
We’re not back in the days of that ancient theocracy, but a new era,
Where God condemns any kind of violence, and more so, sadistic terror.

And, by the way, He’s not the Saviour of any nation, but individuals,
Whose salvation is clearly dependant on them refraining from any ills.
Seventy thousand tons of bombs dropped on Gaza, it’s said, a postage stamp size,
Courtesy of the United States of Israel, and also fuelled by lies.

These are the kind of Christians who’d be duped by a Jesus impostor, someone
Like that devil in the Bible who’s behind every violent act or gun.
Not Christ, who went to His death on Calvary like a lamb, but what do we see?
An arrogant and belligerent American Christian militancy.

There is only one Creator, and He created humanity, which means
There will be a coming accountability over those bloody war scenes,.
Every person precious in His eyes, so excuses had better be airtight,
Because “I will avenge,” Christ has stated — and oh, how things need to be put right.

By Lance Landall

Christian content or degree.

CHRIST DIDN'T COME TO JUST SAVE THE JEWS, NOR THE THEN NATION OF ISRAEL, BUT EVERYONE WHO'D ACCEPT HIM, AND THUS IT UP TO US TO CHOOSE, WE SORRY OR NOT FOR EACH NAIL, AND THUS OUR PROSPECTS JOYFUL OR GRIM, BUT WHAT A SHAME IF WE'VE REJECTED HIS OFFER, THUS JOINING THE RANKS OF THE SCOFFER, RATHER THAN THE RANKS OF THOSE CONTRITE AND READY, THEIR GAZE AND PURPOSE SURE AND STEADY, AND THEY FROM EVERY NATION, WALK OR STATION, GOD'S KINGDOM HARDLY EXCLUSIVE, BECAUSE HE'S WANTING ALL TO LIVE, BUT LIKE I SAID, WE'VE OUR OWN HEAD, BE WE BLACK OR WHITE, MALE OR FEMALE, THERE NO SPECIAL VAIL, BUT DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD'S THRONE, THOUGH IT'S UP TO US ALONE, THE CHOICE OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL, AND WHY WHEN IT COMES TO SAYING, "YES!", I'M PRAYING YOU WILL.

Regarding the following article: Where a ceasefire has been called for by America or the West,
it has only been for a temporary one, not a permanent one.

"NO CEASEFIRE"

Those who've aided, sanctioned and supported the slaughter and destruction
in Gaza have effectively said:

That it’s okay to kill thousands of innocent men, women, children, babies and creatures in order to get rid of those deemed terrorists who operate in a certain way amongst those people who have little or no control over them.

That it’s okay to condemn such slaughter and carnage in Ukraine, and to speak of war crimes and genocide too, but not so regarding what’s happening in Gaza, even though there were those in Ukraine who were deemed bad eggs too.

That it’s okay to prolong such slaughter and apocalyptic carnage by vetoing any call for a ceasefire.

That it’s okay to support such slaughter and carnage by supplying (and continuing to supply) the bombs, shells and even white phosphorous munitions that will do the job.

That it’s okay to damage any part of our planet (via chemicals, mines, toxins, etc), in order to get rid of those deemed terrorists.

That it’s okay to ignore the rest of the world that’s condemning such barbarity and insanity, including those United Nation's resolutions calling for a ceasefire, and the International Court of Justice rulings.

That it’s okay to stifle, malign and punish anyone calling for an end to such slaughter, carnage and hypocrisy, and to falsely accuse them of being anti-Semitic when they’re simply pro-life.

That it’s okay to bomb homes, schools, hospitals, ambulances, churches, United Nation shelters, etc, in order to get rid of any deemed terrorists who supposedly hang out there, or near there, even if it’s only one or two, which is like destroying a house and some of its occupants in order to get rid of some flies, and of which, there’ll always be more.

That it's okay to leave critically ill patients, who can't be moved, in a bombed and abandoned hospital, and without what's necessary to keep them alive and able to recover.

That it’s okay to collectively punish a whole people because of a number amongst them who’re deemed an every now and then threat, to move those innocent people around like a herd of cattle, and then to bomb those places that you told them to go to where they would supposedly be safe.

That it’s okay to destroy the infrastructure (including crops, grain, etc) that’s needed for those 2 million innocent people (and over) because of those among them that they can’t do anything about.

That it’s okay to lie, embellish and manufacture evidence in order to get rid of those deemed a threat, and to also get others on your side.

That it’s okay to talk of carrying out genocide, annihilation, displacement, and the flattening of Gaza here, before commencing to do so, and to support such errant, determined, revengeful, far-right, fanatical leaders.

That it’s okay to withhold the necessities of life (like desperately needed food, water, electricity, hospital care, medicine, etc) even if it means that thousands of innocent men, women, children and babies will starve, or die from those horrific injuries suffered via that rain of bombs, missiles and bullets.

That it’s okay to use religion to justify such slaughter and carnage, including the amputations of many childhood limbs, the many years of painful rehabilitation, and those miscarriages that occur.

That it’s okay to bulldoze homes, round people up in the dark of night and imprison them without any charges, and then badly mistreat them, or to force others to strip to their underwear and then parade them both on the street and on TV.

That it’s okay to act like monsters, to cause unprecedented suffering and carnage (aided by A.I.), to indulge in “almighty vengeance,” to shoot hospital staff, to bury people alive, to run over bodies with a bulldozer, to shoot Palestinians waving a white flag or attempting to get food from aid trucks, to carry out relentless, indiscriminate bombing-cum-war crimes in order to appease those who’re lusting for blood, and to teach all those innocent people a lesson that’s not of their own making, and thereby, stirring up a whole region with the strong possibility of a third world war, or at the very least, a wider escalation.

That it’s okay to kill humanitarian workers, health workers (doctors, surgeons, nurses, etc), and journalists (who're reporting the truth of the war crimes committed) in order to get rid of those who’re deemed the cause of the trouble.

That it’s okay to cut all communications that those desperate people and humanitarian workers need, which means that no one really knows what you’re up to.

That it's okay to focus on people being killed on the one side but not on the other side (as if there's degrees of human worth), and to control both voices and the media to that affect.

That it's okay to test new and devastating weaponry on innocent people, thus treating them like guinea pigs, and then to export that tested weaponry to the world.

That it's okay to show such a total disregard for human life and humanitarian workers and agencies that have never been so hampered, maligned, attacked and destroyed as has been seen in Gaza.

That it's okay to indulge in apartheid and ethnic cleansing (be it by killing people outright, starving them, or removing them), the latter being what Israeli statements suggest is actually the case.

That it's okay to keep people in an open-air prison for decades, and after having caused their mass displacement and dispossession of their rightful land.

That it's okay to subject people to what amounts to another holocaust whilst condemning a holocaust that you suffered from, as if one holocaust is wrong and another permissible.

That it's okay to boast of your war crimes via the likes of Facebook.

And yes, that it was apparently okay for Jews to revolt under Roman oppression, but not okay for Palestinians to revolt under Jewish oppression.

Oh, the terrible evil of that "No ceasefire."

“Hamas, to my great regret, is Israel's creation.”
Avner Cohen, retired Israeli official who worked in Gaza for more than two decades.

This article was updated 5 April 2024.

REGARDING AMERICA

America has been building an empire.
It has troops stationed all over the world. It also has a private army called Blackwater which it uses to carry out special operations wherever it wishes and out of the public eye.

America has clearly been changing (and by the way, the Bible speaking of this “lamb” that becomes a “dragon,” a “beast” power that eventually rules the world. See the book of Revelation, chapter 13, verses 11-18).
This is why America has been vetoing what doesn’t suit it, and why, just like Israel, it continues on regardless of international law or what the likes of the International Court of Justice says (even making threats against it), as if a law unto itself. And all why we see America indefinately suspending a report into Israeli war crimes, and that military style crackdown on students who're protesting over such war crimes, and what is believed to be genocide.

America has a long and torrid history of backing terrorist groups, of saying one thing and doing another, speaking out of both sides of its mouth, and indulging in propaganda too.

Those who're really building this American empire (and who’ve hi-jacked America) operate from behind the scene (be they Jesuits or whoever), and have people in key positions, even all over the world. Yes, there’s wheels within wheels, various branches and instruments, but all roads leading to Rome.

As far as Israel goes, Israel is America’s watchdog and proxy military in the Middle East, looking after both it’s own (illegitimate) and America’s personal interests (oil, errant religious Zionism, etc).
When Arab leaders go contrary to the wishes of America, America introduces sanctions, assassinates, or brings about a coup, and using Israel where not directly involved, or, may work in conjunction with.
This is why the Arab countries have done little to help the Palestinians.
And this is why America wanted as little as possible known about what Israel has been doing in Gaza. The pressure it put on News media outlets was unprecedented, though aided by an America Zionism (Biden admitting he’s a Zionist), and why people were unfairly labelled anti-Semitic for calling out illegal occupation, oppression, brutality and genocide. And hence how freedom of expression and journalists took a hit, and why they are being targeted in general.
If it weren't for America, Israel wouldn't survive, and hence that powerful Israeli lobby that's always held sway in America. Any politician bucking it but doomed. And all why Israel has targeted journalists reporting the truth from Gaza.

American aggression has been growing by the day, it seeking to gain a grip over the world wherever it can. It was America that broke its promises and provoked the war between Russia and Ukraine. Wherever America has gone, it has left a trail of disaster (Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and so on). America could have easily stopped the war in Gaza by withholding money and weaponry (which Israel shouldn't be getting anyway), but chose not to given its own interests and agenda.
American historian, William Blum, published his "updated summary of the record of US foreign policy" (and this from www.johnpilger.com).
Since the Second World War, the US has:
Attempted to overthrow more than 50 governments, most of them democratically elected.
Attempted to suppress a populist or national movement in 20 countries.
Grossly interfered in democratic elections in at least 30 countries.
Dropped bombs on the people of more than 30 countries.
Attempted to assassinate more than 50 foreign leaders.
In total, the United States has carried out one or more of these actions in 69 countries. In almost all cases, Britain has been a collaborator.

And lastly (and from a biblical perspective again), Satan has always sought total control over humanity with his End-time global plan, hence his usage of America (the world's most influential and powerful nation) to bring such about. Satan has always wanted the glory and worship that only God is due (all why he used a past persecuting Church and State power), and all why the coming global power will demand worship too, and also deal horribly with dissenters (another genocide), those who’re faithful to God’s wishes. This Church and State senario comes about via an infiltrated and corrupted American evangelical Protestant Church and State push which will do what a past persecuting Church and State power has sought to do since America's founding.

"NPR reported that Mike Johnson [speaker of the US House of Representatives] has ties to the New Apostolic Reformation, an extreme far-right Christian movement seeking to dissolve the US’s separation between church
and state by “any means necessary.”
Motherjones.com

This article was updated 16 May 2024.
See the very important and confirming quotes under my poem I'm Concerned America which can be seen on my page World Concerns.

REGARDING ISRAEL

Israel is a settler colonial state that was originally orchestrated by the British who told the Jews that they could have the land that they currently occupy, and which they had no right to give to them.
Back in the days of the Romans (and when there were other inhabitants too), and under oppression, the Jews revolted, which really angered the Romans, and all of which resulted in the Romans really taking to them, and how the Jews ended up scattered all around the world.
The truth is, that after so many centuries (we're talking since Christ's time), one can't just waltz back in, take over, and kick others out who've been there all along, and who still have a right to be there; and ask yourself the question, how many currently living in Israel today are actually true Jews?
And so, Israel took over the land, and then attempted to get rid it of its indigenous people, the Palestinians, who, as I said, have been there for so many centuries, but who’ve now been contained within the West Bank and the Gaza strip (an open-air prison) where their every move is controlled and restricted.
Over time Israel has even been encroaching on these areas (pinching more land) via building more houses for its Israeli settlers, and with a greater Israel in mind.
For decades (since 1948) Israel has treated the Palestinians cruelly and brutally. Such no doubt harks back to when the ancient Jews saw the Gentiles as dogs, hence that reference to “animals” that we’ve been hearing today from Israelis.
Such oppression results in resistance, and resistance breeds the likes of Hamas, and finally the likes of that October seven scenario — cause and effect, the pot boiling over. After which, and as has been its habit, Israel has indulged in lies and propaganda to achieve its ends and gain sympathy and support that it’s not always due.
The war in Gaza has hardly been self-defence but an attempt at another Nakba (in the leaders own words) which was the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Before the Nakba, Palestine was a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society.
In fact, Israel actually created Hamas by allowing it to operate in Gaza by playing it off the PLO which eventually backfired. America has done this sort of thing too, which likewise has backfired on them.
After the British washed their hands of it all, Europe (the West) and America entered the scene, and since then America has given Israel complete impunity to do as it wishes, and both sidestepping any international law.
A powerful Israeli lobby in America has made very sure of this too, politicians being scared to go against it lest they suffer the consequences.
Religious Zionism (which is a faulty misinterpretation of Bible prophecy) has been behind it all.
Ancient Israel was once God's chosen nation, but after continual rebellion, it was given a probationary period to end its rebelling once and for all or else. Sadly, it didn't end such, and the stoning of the apostle Stephen ensured its permanent removal as God's chosen nation. From here on, the Christian Church became spiritual Israel. With God's blessing removed from Israel as a nation, the rest is history, as they say, and hence that Roman oppression that saw them scattered all over the globe. God's promises to Israel were always conditional. With God's blessing removed, due to rebellion, the Jews were left to their own chosen fate, and hence how they ended up homeless. And that was the end of it.
Since the British orchestrated Israeli State (God having nothing to do with it), the Israelis have had no desire to share it with the Palestinians who have been there all along, and who have just as much right to the land.
Despite an agreement made long ago regarding seeing that the Palestinians got their own State, America has not done anything about it, and in fact, has vetoed such at every turn given Israel's wishes, the Israeli lobby, and that errant religious Zionism (Biden admitting that he's a Zionist himself).

“And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and
plant it, but if it does evil in My sight, not listening to My voice, then I will change My mind
about the good that I had intended to do to it” (Jer 18:9,10).

“ ‘Seventy weeks [490 years] are decreed [allotted] for your people [ancient Israel] and
your holy city: to finish the transgression [stop rebelling]…’ ” (Dan 9:24).

“ ‘Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you [an unbelieving Israel] and given to
a people producing its fruits [the Christian Church, individuals, not a nation]’ ” (Matt 21:43, ESV).

This article was updated 16 May 2024.

WHAT LOVE WOULD'VE DONE

UNTIL LOVE IS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE AND CENTRALITY OF ALL THAT WE THINK, SAY AND DO, ALL THE SELF-CREATED THINGS THAT HAVE AFFLICTED AND INJURED HUMANITY, WILL SIMPLY CONTINUE, DEFYING INTELLIGENCE, ENLIGHTENMENT AND HUMAN DECENCY.

Love should always be the approach to everything, and where love's not applied, we simply see things getting worse, or remaining unresolved.
A good case in point:
Israel’s response to October seven was far from love’s standard, and instead, anger, hate, “almighty vengeance,” and an all out apocalyptic military assault, rather than self-examination and an attempt to contain the situation in order to prevent the greater ills that have occurred and any further escalations.
Love would have ceased the decades old occupation, oppression and brutality that led to that October seven scene, and sought an agreeable, peaceable and permanent arrangement whereby the two could live in harmony.
And the response from America was not about love’s example either, but outright hypocrisy given its own decades old war crimes, and how it condemned Putin for carrying out the very same things as Israel. Thus America fuelling and aiding much that could’ve been avoided in the way of injuries, deaths, destruction, war crimes, deeper middle East anger and hatred, potential Hamas recruits, a rise in anti-Semitism, and a less safe world for all.
Love would have withheld the bombs and money, demanding a better approach to the situation.
Because neither Israel nor America have acted rightly, they've both created a bigger hole for themselves which they're now trying to escape from by condemning the International Court of Justice rightful rulings.
When the loving approach is not applied, we see the real nature of people, organisations and governments, and often revealed is the likes of selfishness, greed, agendas, political interests, power, ambition, and errant religion.

AN OPEN LETTER

A Call for Repentance: An Open Letter from Palestinian Christians to Western Church Leaders and Theologians

“Learn to do right; seek justice; defend the oppressed” (Isa 1:17).

We, at the undersigned Palestinian Christian institutions and grassroots movements, grieve and lament the renewed cycle of violence in our land. As we were about to publish this open letter, some of us lost dear friends and family members in the atrocious Israeli bombardment of innocent civilians on October 19, 2023, Christians included, who were taking refuge in the historical Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza. Words fail to express our shock and horror with regard to the on-going war in our land. We deeply mourn the death and suffering of all people because it is our firm conviction that all humans are made in God’s image. We are also profoundly troubled when the name of God is invoked to promote violence and religious national ideologies.

Further, we watch with horror the way many western Christians are offering unwavering support to Israel’s war against the people of Palestine. While we recognize the numerous voices that have spoken and continue to speak for the cause of truth and justice in our land, we write to challenge western theologians and church leaders who have voiced uncritical support for Israel and to call them to repent and change. Sadly, the actions and double standards of some Christian leaders have gravely hurt their Christian witness and have severely distorted their moral judgment with regards to the situation in our land.

We come alongside fellow Christians in condemning all attacks on civilians, especially defenseless families and children. Yet, we are disturbed by the silence of many church leaders and theologians when it is Palestinian civilians who are killed. We are also horrified by the refusal of some western Christians to condemn the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine, and, in some instances, their justification of and support for the occupation. Further, we are appalled by how some Christians have legitimized Israel’s ongoing indiscriminate attacks on Gaza, which have, so far, claimed the lives of more than 3,700 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children. These attacks have resulted in the wholesale destruction of entire neighborhoods and the forced displacement of over one million Palestinians. The Israeli military has utilized tactics that target civilians such as the use of white phosphorus, the cutting off of water, fuel, and electricity, and the bombardment of schools, hospitals, and places of worship —including the heinous massacre at Al-Ahli Anglican-Baptist Hospital and the bombardment of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius which wiped out entire Palestinian Christian families.

Moreover, we categorically reject the myopic and distorted Christian responses that ignore the wider context and the root causes of this war: Israel’s systemic oppression of the Palestinians over the last 75 years since the Nakba, the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestine, and the oppressive and racist military occupation that constitutes the crime of apartheid. This is precisely the horrific context of oppression that many western Christian theologians and leaders have persistently ignored, and even worse, have occasionally legitimized using a wide range of Zionist theologies and interpretations. Moreover, Israel’s cruel blockade of Gaza for the last 17 years has turned the 365-square-kilometer Strip into an open-air prison for more than two million Palestinians—70% of whom belong to families displaced during the Nakba—who are denied their basic human rights. The brutal and hopeless living conditions in Gaza under Israel’s iron fist have regrettably emboldened extreme voices of some Palestinian groups to resort to militancy and violence as a response to oppression and despair. Sadly, Palestinian non-violent resistance, which we remain wholeheartedly committed to, is met with rejection, with some western Christian leaders even prohibiting the discussion of Israeli apartheid as reported by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and B’Tselem, and as long asserted by both Palestinians and South Africans.

Time and again, we are reminded that western attitudes towards Palestine-Israel suffer from a glaring double standard that humanizes Israeli Jews while insisting on dehumanizing Palestinians and whitewashing their suffering. This is evident in general attitudes towards the recent Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip that killed thousands of Palestinians, the apathy towards the murder of the Palestinian-American Christian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022, and the killing of more than 300 Palestinians including 38 children in the West Bank this year before this recent escalation.

It seems to us that this double standard reflects an entrenched colonial discourse that has weaponized the Bible to justify the ethnic cleansing of indigenous peoples in the Americas, Oceania, and elsewhere, the slavery of Africans and the transatlantic slave trade, and decades of apartheid in South Africa. Colonial theologies are not passé; they continue in wide-ranging Zionist theologies and interpretations that have legitimized the ethnic cleansing of Palestine and the vilification and dehumanization of Palestinians—Christians included—living under systemic settler-colonial apartheid. Further, we are aware of the western Christian legacy of Just War Theory that was used to justify dropping atomic bombs over innocent civilians in Japan during World War II, the destruction of Iraq and the decimation of its Christian population during the latest American war on Iraq, as well as the unwavering and uncritical support for Israel against the Palestinians in the name of moral-supremacy and “self-defense.” Regrettably, many western Christians across wide denominational and theological spectra adopt Zionist theologies and interpretations that justify war, making them complicit in Israel’s violence and oppression. Some are also complicit in the rise of the anti-Palestinian hate speech, which we are witnessing in numerous western countries and media outlets today.

Although many Christians in the West do not have a problem with the theological legitimization of war, the vast majority of Palestinian Christians do not condone violence—not even by the powerless and occupied. Instead, Palestinian Christians are fully committed to the way of Jesus in creative nonviolent resistance (Kairos Palestine, §4.2.3), which uses “the logic of love and draw[s] on all energies to make peace” (§4.2.5). Crucially, we reject all theologies and interpretations that legitimize the wars of the powerful. We strongly urge western Christians to come alongside us in this. We also remind ourselves and fellow Christians that God is the God of the downtrodden and the oppressed, and that Jesus rebuked the powerful and lifted up the marginalized. This is at the heart of God’s conception of justice. Therefore, we are deeply troubled by the failure of some western Christian leaders and theologians to acknowledge the biblical tradition of justice and mercy, as first proclaimed by Moses (Deut 10:18; 16:18–20; 32:4) and the prophets (Isa 1:17; 61:8; Mic 2:1–3, 6:8; Amos 5:10–24), and as exemplified and embodied in Christ (Matt 25:34–46; Luke 1:51–53; 4:16–21).

Finally, and we say it with a broken heart, we hold western church leaders and theologians who rally behind Israel’s wars accountable for their theological and political complicity in the Israeli crimes against the Palestinians, which have been committed over the last 75 years. We call upon them to reexamine their positions and to change their direction, remembering that God “will judge the world in justice” (Acts 17:31). We also remind ourselves and our Palestinian people that our sumud (“steadfastness”) is anchored in our just cause and our historical rootedness in this land. As Palestinian Christians, we also continue to find our courage and consolation in the God who dwells with those of a contrite and humble spirit (Isa 57:15). We find courage in the solidarity we receive from the crucified Christ, and we find hope in the empty tomb. We are also encouraged and empowered by the costly solidarity and support of many churches and grassroots faith movements around the world, challenging the dominance of ideologies of power and supremacy. We refuse to give in, even when our siblings abandon us. We are steadfast in our hope, resilient in our witness, and continue to be committed to the Gospel of faith, hope, and love, in the face of tyranny and darkness. “In the absence of all hope, we cry out our cry of hope. We believe in God, good and just. We believe that God’s goodness will finally triumph over the evil of hate and of death that still persist in our land. We will see here ‘a new land’ and ‘a new human being’, capable of rising up in the spirit to love each one of his or her brothers and sisters” (Kairos Palestine, §10).

Your Kingdom come!

Signed Organizations and Institutions

Kairos Palestine

Christ at the Checkpoint

Bethlehem Bible College

Sabeel Ecumenical Center for Liberation Theology

Dar al-Kalima University

Al-Liqa Center for Religious, Heritage and Cultural Studies in the Holy Land

The East Jerusalem YMCA

The YWCA of Palestine

Arab Orthodox Society, Jerusalem

Arab Orthodox Club, Jerusalem

The Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches

Arab Education Institute Pax Christi, Bethlehem

Humanity

PAGE MENU

Introduction

A Work Of Art

The Magnolia Tree

That Human Shop

They're All The Same To Me

OnceOnce we use our mind to plot some ill,Our power to force another's will,Or lift a hand to harm or kill,We show that all within is not well,That our soul we have chosen to sell,And all how love sits silent and still,Warmth having given way to a chill,And in the heart, no longer a thrill.

"Hands Off Everyone!"

Moscow Concert Hall, March 2024

It's Not Us

Shame On You!

Look, Let's Be Honest

THE WOUNDING OR TAKING OF LIFE

Wherever there is wrong on any side, don't support it!Wherever there is evil on any side, strongly condemn it!And wherever there is trickery on any side, boldly expose it!

It's A Very Concerning, Ominous Sign

Media Soldiers

As For Me

Dear Children Of Gaza

Can't Fool Us

Something's Very Wrong Here

The West Bank

Right In Front Of Our Faces

Did You See It?! Did You See It?!

That's Where The Focus Should Be

In Defence Of Protesting

It All But Evil For Evil

Split Personalities

The Arrogance Of America

Are You For Real, America?

When The World Knows Otherwise

If It Weren't So Tragic, It Would Be A Joke

Armageddon?

Armageddon Thoughtlessness

WAR MAY FORCE A RESULT, BUT IT NEVER PROVIDES AN ANSWER."There are often elements of truth in propaganda, and that is what makes it more believable and dangerous."The poet, authorWHEN WE ACT LIKE OUR ENEMY, WE'RE AS BAD AS OUR ENEMY.

Silence Condemns Us

With Gaza In Mind

Decades In The Making

Truth Doesn't Mince Its Words

That State Of The Union Address

The Lovers Of All

Christian content or degree.

All Of His Children

Christian content or degree.

The God Of The Old Testament

Christian content or degree.

Along Came Christ

"NO CEASEFIRE"

Those who've aided, sanctioned and supported the slaughter and destruction in Gaza have effectively said:

Oh, the terrible evil of that "No ceasefire."“Hamas, to my great regret, is Israel's creation.”Avner Cohen, retired Israeli official who worked in Gaza for more than two decades.This article was updated 5 April 2024.

REGARDING AMERICA

"NPR reported that Mike Johnson [speaker of the US House of Representatives] has ties to the New Apostolic Reformation, an extreme far-right Christian movement seeking to dissolve the US’s separation between churchand state by “any means necessary.”Motherjones.com

REGARDING ISRAEL

WHAT LOVE WOULD'VE DONE

UNTIL LOVE IS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE AND CENTRALITY OF ALL THAT WE THINK, SAY AND DO, ALL THE SELF-CREATED THINGS THAT HAVE AFFLICTED AND INJURED HUMANITY, WILL SIMPLY CONTINUE, DEFYING INTELLIGENCE, ENLIGHTENMENT AND HUMAN DECENCY.

AN OPEN LETTER

Wherever there is wrong on any side, don't support it!
Wherever there is evil on any side, strongly condemn it!
And wherever there is trickery on any side, boldly expose it!

WAR MAY FORCE A RESULT, BUT IT NEVER PROVIDES AN ANSWER.

"There are often elements of truth in propaganda, and that is what makes it more believable and dangerous."
The poet, author

WHEN WE ACT LIKE OUR ENEMY, WE'RE AS BAD AS OUR ENEMY.

Those who've aided, sanctioned and supported the slaughter and destruction
in Gaza have effectively said:

Oh, the terrible evil of that "No ceasefire."

“Hamas, to my great regret, is Israel's creation.”
Avner Cohen, retired Israeli official who worked in Gaza for more than two decades.

This article was updated 5 April 2024.

"NPR reported that Mike Johnson [speaker of the US House of Representatives] has ties to the New Apostolic Reformation, an extreme far-right Christian movement seeking to dissolve the US’s separation between church
and state by “any means necessary.”
Motherjones.com