The Scandal of Honesty

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Religion is so irrevocably scary—
Autheniticity never a friend welcomed—
Christianity’s hate mocks its namesake.
Heaven forgive us all for our judgment—
Even the best of us judge…even the best—
Levying irreversible indictment on ourselves.

Humility comes through honesty—
Evangelism through exposition—
Leading others to emancipation.
Deliverers are deliberately demonized.

Egos encumber ears from listening—
Vanity—toxic masculinity awry—
Always leads men to their folly.
Never say a woman cannot lead.
She’s who raised you to be a leader.

Poet’s Note:
An acrostic Scorched Sunday poem. Part of my Scorched Strays series, this piece confronts how honest faith, sustained questioning, and compassionate witness are often treated as danger rather than devotion. Read as disloyalty by those invested in certainty, such voices are dismissed, diminished, and pushed to the margins. This poem remembers that cost—and refuses the erasure that follows.

This poem is dedicated to Rachel Held Evans, who now rests in glory.

© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.

Tittu