epiphany at a poetry reading

i heard a kentucky poet read some of his work today, and it was interesting, thought-provoking, visual, creative...
he is a devout buddhist and much of his work relates in some way to his faith. but what i loved most about his work was that he didn't ignore issues that maybe contradict buddhism. one poem was about heaven and what we could find there (of course it had a twist...there were exinct animals that we humans have plowed out of the earth,) but it talked about heaven. he even said, "i'm not a christian, so heaven isn't the main goal of religion in my faith, but writing about things that aren't in my beliefs is very liberating."
that really helped me clarify my own writing. i've been beating myself up a lot because much of my subject matter is dark, almost atheistic, but i cannot write these happy pieces of work. i feel that because of my faith, i have an obligation to write good, happy things.
but i can't do it. writing is liberating when i can write without obligation and without trying to provoke a certain feeling.

brett ralph, the poet, also said something else that really interested me. he said that his faith isn't based on how we were created or where we'll go after death, but how much we can help and love and influence others in the actual life.

with the exception of my ultimate confidence in heaven, i found myself agreeing with his mindset. although the creation is important to christianity, i'd rather not argue it. i don't think verbally quarreling with others will help them see a christian viewpoint. instead, i'd rather do someting else with my life. actions intrigue me much more than words.
confession is important in christianity--witnessing, explaining to others why we love Christ, what he has done for us. but actions--loving them, spreading christian ideals--set the example.

i want to set an example with my writing. i don't want to be stephanie meyer famous--only popular for mediocre writing and one powerfully strong character that provoked my interest enough to fill 4 books of fluff. i don't want that. (and don't get me wrong, i've been as obsessed with twilight as anyone.) but i want to write words--poems, stories, nonfiction--that identifies me with readers who need some sense of catharsis.

as a writer, i always need catharsis. i need it.