if you're a Christian..... please read Options

[FishOutaWater]

Once again, Fish, you eloquently wrote what I was thinking much better than I could have...

I completely agree with your interpretation of the lyric.

I'd add: "I will sit and earn the ransom from up here" from a wider viewpoint might also include the individuals and the groups among "congregations" and the judgement/hypocrisy within them.

Regardless of my personal beliefs, Ed's lyrics (over many years) lead me to question, to ponder, to meditate, to search for truth and meaning and to practice being in the moment. That's a GOOD thing.

And the irony of the whole thing is that the original poster criticized Ed for this lyric because he thought Ed was saying that he is God, when in fact Ed is criticizing those who exploit God for their own gain (monetary, power, etc.) and lead others who follow BLINDLY without questioning the DRAMA. I guess that's why Ed hit a nerve with this guy. It hurts when someone calls a sheep a sheep, and you happen to be a sheep.

[mahaffey]

Christian artists never put themselves into Jesus' shoes in their lyrics ever, do they? As someone studying to be in the ministry, Live helps me more then it hurts me. Shouldn't this be in the off-topic section anyways?

[tswart1]

Goritz is a wacko freak. He clearly has trouble functioning in society if Ed's music bothers him because I'm sure everything else does. How can he walk down a street or watch a movie or TV. It must be hard for him. Its funny because his exremist beliefs have essentially turned this earth into a living hell for him.

I think its funny that he listened to this music for 14 years before someone pointed out all of this to him. These arguments aren't even his own.

Lastly, one of the most annoying things is the Christians that wander around college campuses and streets soliciting their religion. Its not so much that they want to share their religion, its just the slimy way they go about it.

A funny story...my freshman year when we were 18 one of these clowns invited himself to the dining hall and sat down at our table. He was like "when I was your age I used to sleep with a girl every night, then I found God!" Then he asked my friend what he thought heaven was and my friend replied, "Heaven is a blowjob from a 16year old." The dude was mortified.

[seriakiLLa]

This is why organized religion will never work.

[mahaffey]

Organized religion has worked for the past 5000 years. While some Christians are slimy, I personally resent it. I discuss it, not push it on other people, since that just annoys people and they wont listen. I also try to respect other people's religious beliefs and philosophies as much as i can.

[seriakiLLa]

While I respect your opinion, I just don't see how organized religion has worked.

Each of these religions has formulated their own concept of how man should live his life, and they preach, "you have a choice between life or death."

A choice between life, which is to follow a specific religion's doctrine - or death. Now does it really give people a choice? That's not quite what freedom of choice is.

And slowly, we have been seeing more and more people turn away from God, especially the youth.

Peace.

PS Edit: I guess this has gone off-topic now, and not Live-related.

This post has been edited by seriakiLLa: Mar 11 2007, 11:27 pm

[Joe]

PS Edit: I guess this has gone off-topic now, and not Live-related.

I'll bring it on around...

The only spirit I ever feel moving me is the one that rides on the bassline of Rattlesnake as Ed takes the stage.

[Badman]

Hang on .. I'm not a christian but I still read this thread .. am I going to hell?

And if you're a christian and you really believe all you wrote, aren't you like .. supposed to just forgive Ed anyways?

As an Athiest, this is precisly how I feel. I wish Ed posted on this site so he could set this Loony straight.

I'm also lovin' these lyric explainations! Where is the thread on that??

[ShowalittleLove]

If LIVE is evil I think I am going to start calling myself the Devil!
Is that blasphemous?

[sellingthdrama]

dude, you're being an idiot. "Christians" like you are why so many people (like me) have turned away from organized Christianity. You take the Cross and use it as a baseball bat.

You're conflicted - you want to love this band, but your "Christianity" prevents you - so you broadcast your feelings repeatedly to somehow justify them. Christ is love, not a set of rules and regulations - just love the band and the music for what it is. Drop your sword, my friend - what are you really defending?

[ladylakini17]

first, i think the ones blasting me should read the title of this thread.... if you're not a Christian and don't claim to be.... i'm not really even talking to you.

but, fishoutawater... you asked what band i was talking about.... well, here are some lyrics by this band:
is that enough????????? if you can't see the blasphemy in these lyrics... then you're either: (a) not able to comprehend or (b) to lazy to admit that this band is what it is..... evil.
"Please do us all a favor and don't be so disrespectful of other religions.".... what other religion have i dissed.

"I don't give a shit if you want to preach your stuff on this board (even though this is a LIVE board, not a Christianity board)"..... so, you're admitting that LIVE and Christianity don't mesh...

since I respect your religious beliefs (even though I don't necessarily agree with them), but if you don't respect everyone elses' beliefs, please leave..... oh, don't worry... i'll be gone in a short while... and like i said before... don't blast me for standing up for what i believe in.... if you're not a Christian.... then don't read this thread.... just as the title stated.

but, if you ARE a Christian.... open your eyes to what it is that you're listening to.

im a christian. and i love LIVE. and actually you are doing the same thing that ed does. except you put your beliefs in a thread on some message board instead of songs. hes not telling us that christianity is wrong. hes just stating what he believes in. if u dont like it then dont listen to it. simple as that. if anyone is going to let some song change their beliefs on God then they obvisouly didnt have that strong of faith to begin with.

[Grandpa Grizz]

If you don't like music that is outside the Christian box, then be sure to stay away from Rush, and in particular their upcoming release, Snakes and Arrows. Neil Peart, the drummer and lyricist and a famous agnostic, will be examining fundamentalist religion around the world and in the lives of individuals.

It's very timely subject matter, IMO, and one of the things that I've always loved about LiVE is their willingness to discuss our individual relationships with God.

[suze]

uhm, dunno if i've ever posted here b4? apparently i have a rego tho?
if i've not said g'day and big hugz to all yet..."gday and big hugz!"

for some reason this thread caught my attention...i spose and i'm bored and i feel a need to express something but...what...uhm hmm?

1. this band is not evil.
2. the guy claiming undertones of evil influence from ed should read item #5, and i'd recommend some acupuncture and meditation to clear and balance those mangled chakras!
3. it's kinda interesting how we all jump to the defense of 'our band'...sorta cute huh...collective/family wall goes up to protect <g>
4. if ppl are reading this rant and counter rant on spiritual integrity and pouring through lyrics to analyse thier meaning...read item #5 before you ask yourself 'why?'
5. substitute blah blah blah...blah blah...blah blah...blah blah...for all the words in the songs and you'll still find their music and passion moves/rocks your soul!
6. passion? tones...harmonics...emotion...raw energy...vibration...influences our moods.
7. gonna skip seven <g>
8. words...do we need them, or can we 'communicate' without them?
9.
10. ngungilana gilgilana kirra billa, dja kirra billa ngungilana ningu
11. other posts may go to 10...this post goes to "11" <g>

big hugz...
love the LIVE vibes!
suze

[Pokey]

uhm, dunno if i've ever posted here b4? apparently i have a rego tho?
if i've not said g'day and big hugz to all yet..."gday and big hugz!"

for some reason this thread caught my attention...i spose and i'm bored and i feel a need to express something but...what...uhm hmm?

1. this band is not evil.
2. the guy claiming undertones of evil influence from ed should read item #5, and i'd recommend some acupuncture and meditation to clear and balance those mangled chakras!
3. it's kinda interesting how we all jump to the defense of 'our band'...sorta cute huh...collective/family wall goes up to protect <g>
4. if ppl are reading this rant and counter rant on spiritual integrity and pouring through lyrics to analyse thier meaning...read item #5 before you ask yourself 'why?'
5. substitute blah blah blah...blah blah...blah blah...blah blah...for all the words in the songs and you'll still find their music and passion moves/rocks your soul!
6. passion? tones...harmonics...emotion...raw energy...vibration...influences our moods.
7. gonna skip seven <g>
8. words...do we need them, or can we 'communicate' without them?
9.
10. ngungilana gilgilana kirra billa, dja kirra billa ngungilana ningu
11. other posts may go to 10...this post goes to "11" <g>

big hugz...
love the LIVE vibes!
suze

...whatever you're on, can I have some?

[suze]

...whatever you're on, can I have some?

...chicken noodles?