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

[pizan0]

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

I've heard Ed mention several times that he grew up with a Christian background. As a matter of fact, there was a very recent interview when he says just that (don't remember which one off-hand). I bet like many others, his family was Christian and he practiced that as a young kid just like most kids do when they grow up into a religion that the family practices. I'm not sure if they were hardcore followers or not, but he certainly has mentioned it. Then he discovered other ideas in his teens (obviously) and BOOM, you get "Operation Spirit"

Someone totally hit the nail on the head in a post earlier when they said that the Ed of questioning religions and more intriguing songwriting. Makes me think of Susquehanna, "And although we were very thirsty, I questioned the oasis. And although we were very lonely, I questioned the woman's love, questioned the gods above."

That's some fuckin' powerful shit right there. He encompassed the struggle that is religion. Gives me the chills...

[gotigrz]

it's amazing how someone finding Jesus can bring such joy to someone's life (mine) and bring such sorrow to others.

this just proves that if you would trade ed finding God in Jesus Christ for ed pumping out more anti-religious.. angst... what-have-you songs... then it proves that you don't give two craps about ed the person, but rather ed the rocker who can give you pleasure...

geez.. that's selfish. but, that's what the world has come to. me, me, me.

[pizan0]

it's amazing how someone finding Jesus can bring such joy to someone's life (mine) and bring such sorrow to others.

this just proves that if you would trade ed finding God in Jesus Christ for ed pumping out more anti-religious.. angst... what-have-you songs... then it proves that you don't give two craps about ed the person, but rather ed the rocker who can give you pleasure...

geez.. that's selfish. but, that's what the world has come to. me, me, me.

Why is questioning God anti-religious? Even the greatest minds to walk this earth "questioned the gods." Whether they came back to religion or did not was their prerogative, but damn gotigrz, its not a terrible thing to question the world around you.

So as to not offend you further, let me say: I PERSONALLY liked Ed's music better when it had a little bit more questioning. That does not mean I dislike his current music and find nothing to relate to in it. If I didn't like his music now, I can assure that I wouldn't be posting on this site.

[gotigrz]

first, i never said that questioning God is anti religious. i question God. but, i go to Him for the answer. but, a lyric such as a man 2000 yrs ago not meaning anything to you today isn't questioning anything. that IS anti religious.

as far as the music goes.... yes, i liked LIVE's old stuff a lot more than their new stuff. but, i would much rather never hear another great LIVE song and know that ed has found God than the alternative.

i just wish some of the ones on this board would find the Lord if they haven't yet.

[crazy1]

i just wish some of the ones on this board would find the Lord if they haven't yet.

[gotigrz]

roll your eyes.... i don't care. i'm only hoping the best for everyone.... SSOOORRRYYY!!!!

i'm very happy for ed, though. i saw a live version of Operation spirit where he changes the lyrics about Jesus.... i was thrilled.

[Sonic Tonic]

[Badman]

i just wish some of the ones on this board would find the Lord if they haven't yet.

You keep calling us selfish but you want Ed and all of us to find your jesus. Maybe we don't need jesus to be happy because we have the strength to deal with life.

Consider this: I want Ed to make good music, you want him to find jesus. It is a low possibility that he can do both. Commercially, Christian rock doesn't sell and for some reason god doesn't bless it so it is successful. If Ed wants to keep making money, enough to raise his kids after he dies, he will need to sing something with some bite to it and quit the frilly girl lyrics. He can also retain some dignity too this way.

This post has been edited by Badman: May 11 2009, 5:45 pm

[ridley]

The happier Ed is, the more music he is bound to make...

...and the more drivel like Love Shines we are going to get. Unfortunately profound bliss is the ultimate enemy of good songwriting.

I agree with those saying that questioning God is not anti-religious, it's the unquestioning loyalty to religion that is the real danger...




We'll probably never have our angsty-questioning Ed again, let's just be grateful that:

1. We got so much great music out of that period of his life
2. Ed and the boys continue to tour and share the kind of spiritual joy he's experiencing with us where should, on stage - through the music


I for one am happy for the bald nut

This post has been edited by ridley: May 11 2009, 6:09 pm

[Pokey]

it's amazing how someone finding Jesus can bring such joy to someone's life (mine) and bring such sorrow to others.

this just proves that if you would trade ed finding God in Jesus Christ for ed pumping out more anti-religious.. angst... what-have-you songs... then it proves that you don't give two craps about ed the person, but rather ed the rocker who can give you pleasure...

geez.. that's selfish. but, that's what the world has come to. me, me, me.

SAVE ME!!

[pizan0]

...and the more drivel like Love Shines we are going to get. Unfortunately profound bliss is the ultimate enemy of good songwriting.

Great point about profound bliss being the ultimate enemy of good songwriting. I think that for the most part, there is some truth to that. It is very possible, though, to write quality music when you are in a state of bliss. Ed has been writing "happy" lyrics since TDTH, but compare TDTH to SFBM in depth and songwriting. Its a no-brainer as to which album is better. And I know some here have mentioned their disdain for U2, but there is a ton of positivity (& religious themes) in their music and I think they are fantastic because they sort of push the envelope with their sound.

I could care less what religion Ed practices - it would just be great to hear the thoughtful, deep lyrics we used to get about 10 years ago. And if they are going to be about his spirituality/religion, then please let them sound more like "The Distance" than "Love Shines."

That said, I'm excited with the direction things have been moving lately, and excited to see Ed be so interactive with us.

This post has been edited by pizan0: May 11 2009, 7:26 pm

[crazy1]

I could care less what religion Ed practices - it would just be great to hear the thoughtful, deep lyrics we used to get about 10 years ago. And if they are going to be about his spirituality/religion, then please let them sound more like "The Distance" than "Love Shines."

That said, I'm excited with the direction things have been moving lately, and excited to see Ed be so interactive with us.

AMEN!

[shave98765]

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.

This whole thread is funny.

You make it sound like Ed is a close personal friend of yours(and if that was the case, you should call him Eddie). If we "truly loved Eddie K." Are you serious? You truly love him? I love listening to his music...but would never go so far as to say I love him. I don't know him. I'm not friends with him, we don't hang out. I check his website every day, I follow his twitter and obviously i want him to be happy, but at the end of the day I realize what it is...he's an entertainer, trying to make a living, and I'm a fan. The music itself...definitely takes on a larger meaning than that...and it's definitely helped get me through some rough spots in my life.

Nobody should care what religion he is. If he has discovered/rediscovered his Christian side, and it makes him happy, good for him, I'm happy for him. If he has not, and that makes him happy, then that's great too. Do you think Ed cares what religion you are? Or I am? Or any of us? No.

I myself follow no particular religion, and definitely have not found God. I do no go to him searching for answers. With that said, I enjoy Love Shines...even if many people think that song sucks. I can enjoy any of his songs, without caring what his religious beliefs are. If he has found his Christian side, you can't jam with Selling The Drama or I Alone? Then I think you have issues that go far deeper then your religious beliefs.

And..."it's amazing how someone finding Jesus can bring such joy to someone's life (mine) and bring such sorrow to others..." I don't think anybody life will be filled with sorrow because Ed has "found Jesus." We'll be disappointed if we don't like his music...but his religious beliefs will have zero effect on my life.

"i just wish some of the ones on this board would find the Lord if they haven't yet." You sit here and criticize people for pushing their message of hoping Ed hasn't discovered his Christian side as being selfish...yet you turn around and try to push your religion on us. "i'm only hoping the best for everyone." No, you don't, you just care about pushing your message across. You clearly didn't come to this topic with an open mind. Don't misconstrue this post either, I respect all religions, and believe religion is a great thing. Just not for me, at least not at this point in my life.

On the flip side, to think that Ed can't write good music because of some newfound religious belief...that's just silly.

[Sonic Tonic]

This whole thread is funny.

You make it sound like Ed is a close personal friend of yours(and if that was the case, you should call him Eddie). If we "truly loved Eddie K." Are you serious? You truly love him? I love listening to his music...but would never go so far as to say I love him. I don't know him. I'm not friends with him, we don't hang out. I check his website every day, I follow his twitter and obviously i want him to be happy, but at the end of the day I realize what it is...he's an entertainer, trying to make a living, and I'm a fan. The music itself...definitely takes on a larger meaning than that...and it's definitely helped get me through some rough spots in my life.

Nobody should care what religion he is. If he has discovered/rediscovered his Christian side, and it makes him happy, good for him, I'm happy for him. If he has not, and that makes him happy, then that's great too. Do you think Ed cares what religion you are? Or I am? Or any of us? No.

I myself follow no particular religion, and definitely have not found God. I do no go to him searching for answers. With that said, I enjoy Love Shines...even if many people think that song sucks. I can enjoy any of his songs, without caring what his religious beliefs are. If he has found his Christian side, you can't jam with Selling The Drama or I Alone? Then I think you have issues that go far deeper then your religious beliefs.

And..."it's amazing how someone finding Jesus can bring such joy to someone's life (mine) and bring such sorrow to others..." I don't think anybody life will be filled with sorrow because Ed has "found Jesus." We'll be disappointed if we don't like his music...but his religious beliefs will have zero effect on my life.

"i just wish some of the ones on this board would find the Lord if they haven't yet." You sit here and criticize people for pushing their message of hoping Ed hasn't discovered his Christian side as being selfish...yet you turn around and try to push your religion on us. "i'm only hoping the best for everyone." No, you don't, you just care about pushing your message across. You clearly didn't come to this topic with an open mind. Don't misconstrue this post either, I respect all religions, and believe religion is a great thing. Just not for me, at least not at this point in my life.

On the flip side, to think that Ed can't write good music because of some newfound religious belief...that's just silly.

Thank You! I love the music of LIVE. I don't give a flying fuck what they do in their personal life. I don't love Ed or the other guys, I don't even know them. It's about the music.

and I must again add. thank you, thank you for putting my thoughts in writing. But don't fret. This gotigrz person will not see your point of view. He/she is clouded. And I don't say that people following religion are blind and deaf but this person sure makes it look like that.

This post has been edited by Sonic Tonic: May 11 2009, 10:25 pm

[Stereotruth.net]

Rodney here to answer a few questions....
Question...So, Donna Del Sesto approached you and provided you with that quote from Ed?
Rodney...Yes, Donna sent me Ed's testimony of faith, his new song and asked us to consider a blog post on Sereotruth.net. If you'd like to see it just ask Ed to post it on their Live Facebook page.
Question...How long has she been his record promoter?
Rodney...Only a few weeks. most of Donna's 30 year career has been working with the top Christian bands. She is highly respected for her work.
Question...Does Donna represent just Ed or the whole band?
Rodney...She is working the whole bands new project to Christian radio.
Question...Is Donna from Vanguard Records?
Rodney...I don't believe so, but I can ask.

Let's keep talking...
Rodney
Editor
stereotruth.net