A Son of God? Edit 1.0003 erthona, billy,leah,71deg

[tectak]

If "religion" is the "sneaking thief" as I think you explained earlier on, please do a careful check, because as I read it, that meaning is nowhere evident in the poem. I read your snide reply, but I think you missed that I was speaking literally in terms of your sentence construction. It is abundantly clear that the POEM is about religion, but there is still no other reference to this "sneaking thief" anywhere else in the poem, and since that was one of your more vivid images, I immediately wanted to know more about this stealthy ideological bandit.

Snide? Snide...me?  Never! That my sneakin' thief is "vivid" I will take kudos and give thanks...but it is NOT pivotal in the piece...well, not to me anyway...but there again , I am only the bloody author  
The meaning is in the meaning. The thief of minds is a sneak thief. I can only quote from higher powers..Hang on,I need to google it  because no one believes anything I say anymore,unless google agrees. Back in a mo.
I'm back:
sneak thief
Also found in: Encyclopedia.
sneak thief
n.
One who steals without breaking into buildings or using violence.

As you would say...yeah!
Best,
tectak

Sorry, I already got spanked for using personal language in comments. I never mean anything unkindly. I'm having trouble communicating here I think. Anyway, yes, "sneaking thief" really arrested my attention on the first read. So I naturally wanted more info. I think it's potentially "pivotal" too. Could I suggest "the east protects the sneaking thief who steals...." ?  That construction would let me read on with the flow without getting snagged.

Good egg,good suggestion.
I will look at this.
Best,
tectak