The Effects of Faith

Faith often plays a major part

In people’s lives; just for a start

It is a very well-known fact,

It can determine how people act.

Just think of Quakers, who don’t fight,

For they believe it’s never right.

But rather something they abhor,

While other faiths delight in war.

Or think of Catholics who believe

A child’s a gift they should receive

With endless love and care and joy,

Which they never should destroy.

Or think of Christians who’re allowed

Just one wife and not a crowd;

Or those whose faith demands that they

Fast at certain times of day,

Or cannot, though it might seem strange

Eat a widely varying range

Of different foods in common use,

For reasons that are quite obtuse.

Or Jains who always try to save

Insects from an early grave.

Or those who think that women should

Stay out of sight, for their own good,

And think it right to beat their wives,

And in extremis, end their lives.

Those whose faith demands they work,

For whom it is a sin to shirk,

And to whom it seems quite mete

The lazy have no right to eat.

Faith affects how people live,

How much they take, how much they give,

Often providing a vital link

To how they will behave and think.