When young I was an Atheist, <br /> Yea, pompous as a pigeon <br />No opportunity I missed <br /> To satirize religion. <br />I sneered at Scripture, scoffed at Faith, <br /> I blasphemed at believers: <br />Said I: "There's nothing after Death,-- <br /> Your priests are just deceivers." <br /> <br />In middle age I was not so <br /> Contemptuous and caustic. <br />Thought I: "There's much I do not know: <br /> I'd better be agnostic. <br />The hope of immortality <br /> 'Tis foolish to be flouting." <br />So in the end I came to be <br /> A doubter of my doubting. <br /> <br />Now I am old, with steps inclined <br /> To hesitate and falter; <br />I find I get such peace of mind <br /> Just sitting by an altar. <br />So Friends, don't scorn the family pew, <br /> The preachments of the kirks: <br />Religion may be false or true, <br /> But by the Lord!--it works.<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/pragmatic/
