Is Ed......a Christian again? Options

[Pokey]

Suffer little children

Good Smiths song that one.

[SecretInsomnia]

I think it's quite obvious how he turned more to the Christian side over the years. Didn't you all notice how the lyrics to Operation spirit changed?

1991:

"But what a man was, 2.000 years ago, means nothing at all to me today"

now:

"But what a man was, 2.000 years ago, means nothing at all so much, to me today"

This post has been edited by SecretInsomnia: May 10 2009, 12:37 pm

[Pokey]

True to the above, but I more took that as not so much purely about Christianity/Jesus itself, but in saying "means a hell of a lot more to me today" meaning that religion itself now has a place with him, where as before he was damning it, not only Christianity/Jesus but religion in general ... at least thats how I took it. The specific mention of Jesus is more an example of any given organised religion.

[turkish101]

Jeez guys. Take it easy. More power to Ed if he's found Christ.

I'm not a Christian, and I really used to identify with, say, the lyrics to Operation Spirit.

Ever hear the term 'Christ Consciousness'? I imagine for Ed, like it should be for anyone who seeks a true spirituality, it's about the message and not the doctrine. As Ed says, Jesus is one who 'stood up for love.'

I would bet that Ed is still anti-organized religion. Those biblical quotes on his twitter are probably just being used as the holy scriptures that they are, the way someone might study the Upanishads or reflect on Zen koans but not call himself a Hindu or Zen Buddhist.

It's too bad Christianity has such a bad rap over here (deservingly so, I admit), because it obscures the message of Jesus. I really believe we can hold that message on the same level of Buddhism (fortunately, which hasn't been distorted by organizations yet).

Man, that was way more preachy that I meant for it to be.

[ridley]

Well said turkish101, seems a lot of people don't realise that it is possible to be both pro-Jesus and anti-organized religion

[Deku]

Well said turkish101, seems a lot of people don't realise that it is possible to be both pro-Jesus and anti-organized religion

interesting thought

[gotigrz]

you people are crazy. i hear most of you saying... "i hope that eddie hasn't found Christ cause i want to enjoy his music"... that IS what you're saying and that IS the most selfish thing i've heard.

yes, i'm the one that everyone cussed out and made fun of because i stopped listening to LIVE's music cause the lyrics didn't sit well with me, being a Christian. well, i knew i could never listen to LIVE the same way, but i don't want anyone to go to Hell. i pray for lost souls. and, i think eddie was one of them. and, if indeed, he has found Jesus... HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! PRAISE THE LORD, JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!

it's funny how you loved eddie when he was lost and questioning everything... ,but now that he has found his salvation, and truly happy... you're not. i take it back... it's not funny. it's sad. if you truly loved eddie k. you'd wish him nothing but the best in his life, and be happy FOR HIM that he has found Jesus Christ. if you all thought that eddie was such a cool guy for what he use to question... is he no longer "cool"??? and, if he is, .... why don't you check out what he no longer questions... but believes?

peace...

[pizan0]

I originally started this post, so I feel like I should explain more of what I feel. I am not at all turned off by Ed potentially becoming a Christian again, if that's the case. I agree with others on the board saying that in all likelihood, Ed probably is not a part of an organized religion. Rather, he experiments with ALL religions, and perhaps as of late, he has found a true connection with the bible.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and I never intended for it to come off in that way! As a matter of fact, I admitted that feeling a bit weird about Ed and christianity was a selfish thought! I will admit feeling a bit surprised that it was coming off so strongly in his words/music/website very recently. But why should I be surprised? When Ed was strongly into Krishnamurti, those ideas were totally wrapped up in everything he wrote about.

Ed has always spoken and written about finding inner peace and sanctity. I would be a hypocrite if I truly felt turned-off by him turning himself onto a religion that he pretty much banished at one point in his life. But, let's not lose sight of the fact that when Ed first wrote Operation Spirit, he was 17-18!! Most people that banish organized religions at that age do it in part because of a rebellious, young nature - that's the truth.

I've always loved and respected how Ed matured in thought to realize how beautiful all religions are. You know what? I love the honesty of his music and lyrics so much that he could probably write a song called "The Sanctity of Diarrhea," and somehow it would come off earnest and thoughtful.

I guess I started the post because I personally am biased. That is, I feel that Live's best music came from a time when they were younger and questioned things more. But believe me when I tell you that there is NOTHING wrong with Ed finding what he has been searching for, if that's what has happened. The happier Ed is, the more music he is bound to make, and that bodes well for us. And certainly, I bet he still moving and finding his spiritual path anyway.

[Pokey]

but i don't want anyone to go to Hell

Thats ok, no one is

It's not about "being cool" and all that, it's about what has produced the better music. If his songs about Jesus and God were the better songs IMO then I wouldn't mind, but if it's going to produce more crap like Love Shines rather than another White Discussion then that sucks.

Personally I was brought up as a Christian and happily left that behind now, it's a religion I know a lot about and found nothing in so songs dealing with the topic really are lost on me. Songs about other religions and spirituality and such I would find more interesting as it doesn't directly conflict with my beliefs ... although personally I don't believe in any religion.

Yes it's a selfish outlook but meh, who cares. This is a fans of live board, not a "wow this music really sucks, but I'm so glad he's happy, the fact that he's happy means I'm gonna keep listening to music I find shit" board. Everyone is going to voice their opinion on what they want to see from the band, and no one can stop the band or Ed from thinking a certain way or going in a certain direction ... so why is it so wrong to have an opinion on it.

[Badman]

if you truly loved eddie k. you'd wish him nothing but the best in his life, and be happy FOR HIM that he has found Jesus Christ.

Who said we loved Ed? It's called 90's angst and it represents a part of our childhood. He is allowed to change but we don't have to like it. Angst means a struggle and a struggle makes for good passionate songwriting. When he has found what he was looking for, the story is over and there is nothing left to sing about. He needs to sing something preachy again because there is more unjust crap than ever to sing about. As a young person who is still struggling, I don't want to hear Love shines... I want to hear Heropsychodreamer!

I knew you would post here too...

[gotigrz]

well, what are you struggling with? whatever it is... i hope you find resolution in it.

and to respond to the title of this thread... i never knew ed to be a Christian in the first place. i remember him saying he grew up in a home with a Christian background, but never had i heard him say he was a Christian. and, if the article or whatever that says that he has found Christ as his saviour.... then, once again... praise be to God.

but, anyway... i wonder, if in fact he has turned to Jesus... i wonder if he will continue to sing "but what a man was 2000 yrs ago.. means nothing at all to me today"? please keep me posted on this, cause i'm very interested.

[Pokey]

"but what a man was 2000 yrs ago.. means nothing at all to me today"? please keep me posted on this, cause i'm very interested.

He already doesn't sing that anymore.

[gotigrz]

good.

if all of this is true of ed... i can't say that i can go back to jamming to selling the drama or i alone, or whatever... but, i can say that i am very very happy and proud of ed kowalczyk.

[Deku]

Good posts people. I've been considering my stance on this over the last few days. And yeah, I have felt a bit selfish. I was concerned that I wouldn't respond to Live's work as much if Ed had found Jesus, or whatever. So it was obvious that the problem was with me, and not him. Having said that, I do agree with Pokey, Badman. We're here here for the tunes! And there's a lot to be said for the journey rather than the destination. Struggle makes for good tunes. We can relate to that. We're all trying to make sense of shit and it helps to be reminded that there may not be one definitive answer, eg Jesus. Again, I might be being narrow-minded here. At the end of the day, if they are writing kick ass shit then you won't hear much complaint from me.

Would be interested though - the thread mentions Ed being Christian again. When was he before and where can it be seen in his songwriting? Or was he Christian at a really young age?

talk to me

[Pokey]

good.

Bad.