Religious Poetry and Its Place in the Modern Poetry Canon

When love is the primary focus, religious poetry is significant

When love is the primary focus of religious poetry, then religious poetry is significant, in the modern day, poetry canon. If religion is the primary focus that may not be true.

In order to expand upon this further, examine the meaning of the word canon.

The word canon, derived from the Greek word kanon, dates back to before the twelfth century and pertains to rule, model or standard. With respect to the usage of the word canon, when referring to modern day poetry, it is used in reference to the authentic works of one writer in particular. It can also be used in the context of a specified group or a body of works. There is a criterion that involves a degree of judgment. A body of principles that meets standards or norms, has to be taken into consideration also. (1)

There are those who argue that religious poetry has no place in the modern day poetry canon, while others would insist that religious poetry is of primary significance.

Why is there such a polarity of thought? 

Is it possible for humankind to delegate a place for any specific kind of poetry, in the canon of modern day poetry? 

There will always be those who attempt to do so. The problem dwells in the reality that man's best attempt to place anything under a man made rule, always falls short. No human being can declare or enforce a rule, that states there should not be any religious poetry in the modern day poetry canon. There might be a few people who try to create that kind of legislation, but there will always be others who will never accept it.

One of the primary arguments against religious poetry has to do with the possibility of offending other cultures from different religions or religious belief systems. We live in a world where there are many possible religions, but in reality, each culture has some concept of the divine and a religious belief, of some kind. This is true in northern, southern, eastern and western cultures.

While there are many different religious systems and practices, each culture has someone or something, that is considered worthy of worship. This becomes the focus of that particular culture. Whoever or whatever is deemed worthy of worship becomes loved, so love surfaces in every culture, all around the world. It may have many different manifestations. There is a complexity, multiplicity and diversity of expression, with respect to the word love.

This changes the focus of religion to some extent, because it is love that is central in each situation, not religion. While cultural poetry focuses on whatever the culture advocates as its primary love, the word religion may not be recognized, as having any value or merit.

Not many cultures would suggest they love religion, but every culture has some concept of love. People love other people, nature, the elements or even their deities. Love is an orthodox global concept.

When love is the focus of the religious poetry, then religious poetry plays a significant role in the modern day poetry canon, all around the world. Where religion is the primary focus of religious poetry, that may not hold true, even though it may mean the same thing.

Christianity focuses on the love of God and one another, even as "God is love."

What more is there to be said? In the modern day poetry canon, religious poetry that focuses on love is significant and always will be.

(1) Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Inc., Springfield, MA, 1983