yeah, in fact i used the word if you read my posts. no worries, as has been pointed out, SOME of the lyrics are overtly religious (not just spiritual) like Original Sin, etc.
Come on. Still not buying this. Using a reference to a religious text as a metaphor in a non-religious context does *not* qualify a lyric as being overtly religious (or even covertly religious).
How religious is this cheezy bar pickup line: "Somebody call Heaven, because I think an angel has gone missing!" or, similarly, "Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?"
The "foriginal sin" lyric in Johnny Guitar is in the same vain. It's a religious idea used for a completely non-religious use. Time to figure out how to use literary techniques.
yeah, in fact i used the word if you read my posts. no worries, as has been pointed out, SOME of the lyrics are overtly religious (not just spiritual) like Original Sin, etc.
Come on. Still not buying this. Using a reference to a religious text as a metaphor in a non-religious context does *not* qualify a lyric as being overtly religious (or even covertly religious).
How religious is this cheezy bar pickup line: "Somebody call Heaven, because I think an angel has gone missing!" or, similarly, "Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?"
The "foriginal sin" lyric in Johnny Guitar is in the same vain. It's a religious idea used for a completely non-religious use. Time to figure out how to use literary techniques.
ok, like i said, no worries. some of you are 100X more upset about me posting a point of view than I was about the lyrics. if it's such a moronic opinion, why not just ignore it really?
I still find it funny that some of you seem to give the impression you would no longer be fans if that was the case. Talk about shallow. Just because he said something back in 1998, doesn't mean he still holds onto that belief today.
If that is aimed at me, you twisted my words. I said the day PJ turns into a Christian Rock band is the day I move on.
No, not aimed at you at all. However, I've seen this being insinuated on other threads with a similar topic.
Isn't "Sometimes" a prayer-like song? He says Dear God at the end. That aside, I still like the song. "Large fingers pushing paint...you're God and you've got big hands..."
Isn't "Sometimes" a prayer-like song? He says Dear God at the end. That aside, I still like the song. "Large fingers pushing paint...you're God and you've got big hands..."
yeah, again, i don't dislike the songs on BS that have these references. i love sometimes too. this was never intended as an I hate BS thread. i've been one of the most vocal supporters of the album on here from day one.
To the OP. I don’t think Eddie is religious at all. You don’t have to be religious to be ‘aware’ or spiritual, are whatever you want to call it.
I think the guys are at that point in their life where a lot of reflection is going on. Looking within yourself. Seeing where you are and how you got there. ...for them.
It’s beautiful.
*~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*
Jesus (no pun intended). Just because he says the word "original sin" doesn't make it a religious song, per se. He describes the girl on the album cover as "the TYPE of woman responsible for original sin." Meaning -- she's a temptress, like Eve. You don't have to believe in the Bible to understand the reference, or to make it. The Adam and Eve story is one everyone knows, even atheists.
In Force of Nature, Ed references the Sirens ... are you going to accuse him of being a devout believer of Greek mythology now, too?
Seriously. You need to stop. You are reaching on every one of these.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
Jesus (no pun intended). Just because he says the word "original sin" doesn't make it a religious song, per se. He describes the girl on the album cover as "the TYPE of woman responsible for original sin." Meaning -- she's a temptress, like Eve. You don't have to believe in the Bible to understand the reference, or to make it. The Adam and Eve story is one everyone knows, even atheists.
In Force of Nature, Ed references the Sirens ... are you going to accuse him of being a devout believer of Greek mythology now, too?
Seriously. You need to stop. You are reaching on every one of these.
yeah, ummm, i never said any of these songs were religious there sport. I said there were religious references within the songs, which is 100% true.
yeah, ummm, i never said any of these songs were religious there sport. I said there were religious references within the songs, which is 100% true.
Yes, there are, but I'm struggling to see what the point is. So you're saying there shouldn't be any religious references in any music you like, even if they're used in a secular context (which I would argue that all of them are)? Like I said before, you're going to limit anything that's very literate if you do that, and for what reason?
yeah, ummm, i never said any of these songs were religious there sport. I said there were religious references within the songs, which is 100% true.
Yes, there are, but I'm struggling to see what the point is. So you're saying there shouldn't be any religious references in any music you like, even if they're used in a secular context (which I would argue that all of them are)? Like I said before, you're going to limit anything that's very literate if you do that, and for what reason?
no, i didn't say there shouldn't be any. just seems like there are several more than on a normal PJ album. i am not considering cancelling my 10c membership or anything, it's really not as big a deal to me as this thread turned out to be. just really started off as a curiosity for me, thought it was worth mentioning, and it obviously doesn't make me dislike the album as a whole. in fact, some of the songs with the references are some of my favorites on the record. really all you have to do is read the title of the thread to understand how i feel about it. BS is a great album, i love it thoroughly. it just threw me off a little that ed vedder is using biblical language (more than normal).
Not looking to complain or criticize, I'm just curious if this bothers anybody else. I love the album, have listened to it nonstop since Friday, and the more I listen, the more I like the ENTIRE record from start to finish.
But as that process goes on, and i familiarize myself with the lyrics, Eddie's apparent new willingness to include religious (even Christian) messages in the music is a turn off to me. I don't mind anybody's religion, I just don't like it in my rock music. That's called Christian rock, and it's something I don't get into. I am glad that Ed is happy with his current life situation, and if that includes being born again or just more comfortable writing about his faith, great for him. For me as a listener, that's the one thing I would change about Backspacer. Too many soul saving and prayer references for my taste.
The only thing I don't love about Backspacer is that everyone keeps calling it BS...
I am not getting the references, honestly Ed cusses and drinks like a sailor, god bless him ....
HOB 10.05.2005, E Rutherford 06.03.2006, The Gorge 07.22.2006, Lolla 08.05.2007, West Palm 06.11.2008, Tampa 06.12.2008, Columbia 06.16.2008, EV Memphis 06.20.2009, New Orleans 05.01.2010, Kansas City 05.03.2010
Ha!
Remember way back Creed said they had better lyrics than Pearl Jam?
Funny Creed was mentioned because when reading Backspacers lyrics I jokingly thought This kicks Creed’s ass!
*~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*
Not looking to complain or criticize, I'm just curious if this bothers anybody else. I love the album, have listened to it nonstop since Friday, and the more I listen, the more I like the ENTIRE record from start to finish.
But as that process goes on, and i familiarize myself with the lyrics, Eddie's apparent new willingness to include religious (even Christian) messages in the music is a turn off to me. I don't mind anybody's religion, I just don't like it in my rock music. That's called Christian rock, and it's something I don't get into. I am glad that Ed is happy with his current life situation, and if that includes being born again or just more comfortable writing about his faith, great for him. For me as a listener, that's the one thing I would change about Backspacer. Too many soul saving and prayer references for my taste.
Didn't Ed say way at the beginning (I'm talking Ten) that he leaves the lyrics to the fans own interpritations? So...this is how YOU interprited it, so it's on YOU...
"I read about the evils of drinking, so I gave up reading." - Henry Youngman
Not looking to complain or criticize, I'm just curious if this bothers anybody else. I love the album, have listened to it nonstop since Friday, and the more I listen, the more I like the ENTIRE record from start to finish.
But as that process goes on, and i familiarize myself with the lyrics, Eddie's apparent new willingness to include religious (even Christian) messages in the music is a turn off to me. I don't mind anybody's religion, I just don't like it in my rock music. That's called Christian rock, and it's something I don't get into. I am glad that Ed is happy with his current life situation, and if that includes being born again or just more comfortable writing about his faith, great for him. For me as a listener, that's the one thing I would change about Backspacer. Too many soul saving and prayer references for my taste.
Didn't Ed say way at the beginning (I'm talking Ten) that he leaves the lyrics to the fans own interpritations? So...this is how YOU interprited it, so it's on YOU...
The problem with that is, he keeps TELLING us what these songs are about. Hey Ed ... zip it!
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
Jesus (no pun intended). Just because he says the word "original sin" doesn't make it a religious song, per se. He describes the girl on the album cover as "the TYPE of woman responsible for original sin." Meaning -- she's a temptress, like Eve. You don't have to believe in the Bible to understand the reference, or to make it. The Adam and Eve story is one everyone knows, even atheists.
In Force of Nature, Ed references the Sirens ... are you going to accuse him of being a devout believer of Greek mythology now, too?
Seriously. You need to stop. You are reaching on every one of these.
yeah, ummm, i never said any of these songs were religious there sport. I said there were religious references within the songs, which is 100% true.
This argument could go on forever. I guess it depends on what you mean by "religious references." If you just think the word "sin" and the word "soul" are religious references -- as opposed to spiritual references -- then I don't know what to tell you. If you don't understand how a religious reference can be used to convey a secular idea -- a la Soundgarden's "Jesus Christ Pose" -- then I don't know what to tell you.
I just don't agree with your entire premise. And I also wonder, given that there are many different ways to interpret lyrics, why you would willingly choose an interpretation that pisses you off.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
yeah, ummm, i never said any of these songs were religious there sport. I said there were religious references within the songs, which is 100% true.
This argument could go on forever. I guess it depends on what you mean by "religious references." If you just think the word "sin" and the word "soul" are religious references -- as opposed to spiritual references -- then I don't know what to tell you. If you don't understand how a religious reference can be used to convey a secular idea -- a la Soundgarden's "Jesus Christ Pose" -- then I don't know what to tell you.
I just don't agree with your entire premise. And I also wonder, given that there are many different ways to interpret lyrics, why you would willingly choose an interpretation that pisses you off.
okay, first, it's not an "argument", i stated a fact, that there are religious references within the songs. there's no need for you to be bothered by it, but there's no denying it. second, the words "sin" and "soul", by themselves, are not religious references per se. "Original Sin" and "Soul that has been Saved" are, in fact, references to religion. Original Sin is a direct Christian reference from the book of Genesis. Again, it's not that big of a deal, but I am not sure why some of you are arguing so persistently that these aren't religious references. It doesn't mean Ed is a Christian, I get that.
at no point have these references "pissed me off", nor has this discussion. it's those of you "arguing" your side who seem to be worked up.
okay, first, it's not an "argument", i stated a fact, that there are religious references within the songs. there's no need for you to be bothered by it, but there's no denying it. second, the words "sin" and "soul", by themselves, are not religious references per se. "Original Sin" and "Soul that has been Saved" are, in fact, references to religion. Original Sin is a direct Christian reference from the book of Genesis. Again, it's not that big of a deal, but I am not sure why some of you are arguing so persistently that these aren't religious references. It doesn't mean Ed is a Christian, I get that.
at no point have these references "pissed me off", nor has this discussion. it's those of you "arguing" your side who seem to be worked up.
Well, you did start the thread. Something must have prompted you to do that. Secondly, the Bible is just a book. There isn't a whole hell of a lot of differences between making reference to the Bible and making a reference to, Daniel Quinn's Ishmael.
Thirdly, and this is the point you continually seem to want to ignore, you can use a religious reference to make a secular point. Such as the "original sin" line from Johnny Guitar. I suppose it's a "religious reference" (I guess), but it is used in a secular way. He's saying the lady is a temptress. That's all. I suppose he could have said "the kind of woman responsible for original sin, which is a reference to the first book of the Bible, which is a book I don't believe in but the fable kind of fits here so bear with me."
Except I don't think Ed can hold his breath that long.
The fourth thing, and another point you keep conviently ignoring, is that there is a difference between spirituality and religion. There are atheists, I'm sure, who believe they have a soul, and there are countless ways to save it. Many people, religious and non-religious alike, seem to believe that if they live th right kind of life, their soul has been redeemed. In the case of Amongst the Waves, it is a power of love -- human, girl-on-guy love, that does the redeeming.
PS -- I don't know if you remember this, but 10 pages ago you accused Pearl Jam of producing "Christian Rock." That could explain why you're getting some of the heated responses you're getting, because that statement is kind of ridiculous.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
okay, first, it's not an "argument", i stated a fact, that there are religious references within the songs. there's no need for you to be bothered by it, but there's no denying it. second, the words "sin" and "soul", by themselves, are not religious references per se. "Original Sin" and "Soul that has been Saved" are, in fact, references to religion. Original Sin is a direct Christian reference from the book of Genesis. Again, it's not that big of a deal, but I am not sure why some of you are arguing so persistently that these aren't religious references. It doesn't mean Ed is a Christian, I get that.
at no point have these references "pissed me off", nor has this discussion. it's those of you "arguing" your side who seem to be worked up.
Well, you did start the thread. Something must have prompted you to do that. Secondly, the Bible is just a book. There isn't a whole hell of a lot of differences between making reference to the Bible and making a reference to, Daniel Quinn's Ishmael.
Thirdly, and this is the point you continually seem to want to ignore, you can use a religious reference to make a secular point. Such as the "original sin" line from Johnny Guitar. I suppose it's a "religious reference" (I guess), but it is used in a secular way. He's saying the lady is a temptress. That's all. I suppose he could have said "the kind of woman responsible for original sin, which is a reference to the first book of the Bible, which is a book I don't believe in but the fable kind of fits here so bear with me."
Except I don't think Ed can hold his breath that long.
The fourth thing, and another point you keep conviently ignoring, is that there is a difference between spirituality and religion. There are atheists, I'm sure, who believe they have a soul, and there are countless ways to save it. Many people, religious and non-religious alike, seem to believe that if they live th right kind of life, their soul has been redeemed. In the case of Amongst the Waves, it is a power of love -- human, girl-on-guy love, that does the redeeming.
i'm not ignoring any points, i'm just not arguing that. Some of you just like to debate, I don't know, out of boredom or something. Let's put this one to bed. I'm not ignoring the spirituality vs. religion point, I get it completely. i consider myself and anti-religion spiritual person. i'm not sure why this is such a hot topic on here, i think some of you protest too much. i just interpreted the lyrics as more directly religious than in the past. perhaps i'm wrong. that would be OK, not the first or last time.
Not looking to complain or criticize, I'm just curious if this bothers anybody else. I love the album, have listened to it nonstop since Friday, and the more I listen, the more I like the ENTIRE record from start to finish.
But as that process goes on, and i familiarize myself with the lyrics, Eddie's apparent new willingness to include religious (even Christian) messages in the music is a turn off to me. I don't mind anybody's religion, I just don't like it in my rock music. That's called Christian rock, and it's something I don't get into. I am glad that Ed is happy with his current life situation, and if that includes being born again or just more comfortable writing about his faith, great for him. For me as a listener, that's the one thing I would change about Backspacer. Too many soul saving and prayer references for my taste.
My thoughts are the OP went overboard just kind of shooting the shit/hearing himself type/talk. People rang in and he backed off. Then people continue to badger this guy. So he feels he must defend.
He has changed his tune from the original post, and now he is defending a position he never fully embraced.
Read through this, he bowed out gracefully at one point only to be dragged back in.
Here is the compromise.
Eddie has always used spiritual overtones in his music. He is not christian, or what you would call traditionally religious. This is no big deal, even the OP has said this a few times in this thread.
I think after the many clarifications of intent and meaning of those spiritual phrases the OP will probably be less concerned than he was when this thread started.
i'm not ignoring any points, i'm just not arguing that. Some of you just like to debate, I don't know, out of boredom or something. Let's put this one to bed. I'm not ignoring the spirituality vs. religion point, I get it completely. i consider myself and anti-religion spiritual person. i'm not sure why this is such a hot topic on here, i think some of you protest too much. i just interpreted the lyrics as more directly religious than in the past. perhaps i'm wrong. that would be OK, not the first or last time.
Fair enough. Seemed a weird topic is all. I'm still not completely buying that you started a thread calling Backspacer "Christian rock" and expected no responses at all.
But whatever.
Post edited by slightofjeff on
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
Not looking to complain or criticize, I'm just curious if this bothers anybody else. I love the album, have listened to it nonstop since Friday, and the more I listen, the more I like the ENTIRE record from start to finish.
But as that process goes on, and i familiarize myself with the lyrics, Eddie's apparent new willingness to include religious (even Christian) messages in the music is a turn off to me. I don't mind anybody's religion, I just don't like it in my rock music. That's called Christian rock, and it's something I don't get into. I am glad that Ed is happy with his current life situation, and if that includes being born again or just more comfortable writing about his faith, great for him. For me as a listener, that's the one thing I would change about Backspacer. Too many soul saving and prayer references for my taste.
Uhh...What? Dude WTF are you talking about?
"Had my eyes peeled both wide open, and I got a glimpse...of my innocense, got back my inner sence, baby got it...still got it"
Not looking to complain or criticize, I'm just curious if this bothers anybody else. I love the album, have listened to it nonstop since Friday, and the more I listen, the more I like the ENTIRE record from start to finish.
But as that process goes on, and i familiarize myself with the lyrics, Eddie's apparent new willingness to include religious (even Christian) messages in the music is a turn off to me. I don't mind anybody's religion, I just don't like it in my rock music. That's called Christian rock, and it's something I don't get into. I am glad that Ed is happy with his current life situation, and if that includes being born again or just more comfortable writing about his faith, great for him. For me as a listener, that's the one thing I would change about Backspacer. Too many soul saving and prayer references for my taste.
My thoughts are the OP went overboard just kind of shooting the shit/hearing himself type/talk. People rang in and he backed off. Then people continue to badger this guy. So he feels he must defend.
He has changed his tune from the original post, and now he is defending a position he never fully embraced.
Read through this, he bowed out gracefully at one point only to be dragged back in.
Here is the compromise.
Eddie has always used spiritual overtones in his music. He is not christian, or what you would call traditionally religious. This is no big deal, even the OP has said this a few times in this thread.
I think after the many clarifications of intent and meaning of those spiritual phrases the OP will probably be less concerned than he was when this thread started.
there's probably some truth to this, ie me trying to get out and getting sucked back in. that whole retard trying to win an internet argument thing, i'm a sucker for it.
anyway, if one takes a look at the thread title, that tells the main idea of my post. love the record. not accusing Ed (GOD forbid) of being Christian. just struck me more than in past albums. maybe not even the references themselves, perhaps the way I interpreted the tone.
i'm not ignoring any points, i'm just not arguing that. Some of you just like to debate, I don't know, out of boredom or something. Let's put this one to bed. I'm not ignoring the spirituality vs. religion point, I get it completely. i consider myself and anti-religion spiritual person. i'm not sure why this is such a hot topic on here, i think some of you protest too much. i just interpreted the lyrics as more directly religious than in the past. perhaps i'm wrong. that would be OK, not the first or last time.
Fair enough. Seemed a weird topic is all. I'm still not completely buying that you started a thread calling Backspacer "Christian rock" and expected no responses at all.
But whatever.
yeah, in hindsight, probably went a little strong on that. oh well. thank God for Pearl Jam.
I think we have to be flexible. Any belief system that is inflexible, closed off to other belief systems, is profoundly unhealthy. I also think that if you look at life as a long line of evolutionary changes that started billions of years ago, from little things crawling in the mud, and the you realize where we’ve got to now, that is a remarkable set of circumstances. There is more magic in that, for me, than someone creating the planet in six days and taking a day off. When you realize how long humanity has taken to get to this point, it makes you respect another person’s life in a deeper and broader sense. I wouldn’t’ think of killing anybody because their lineage goes back to the primordial seas, not because there’s some eye in the sky, looking out for how many commandments you’re going to break.
- Eddie Vedder thoughts on religion/spirituality etc.
*~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*
dude who started this message...Have you every heard the word Spiritual?
Because you can be without being religious in anyway..
just curious..
yeah, in fact i used the word if you read my posts. no worries, as has been pointed out, SOME of the lyrics are overtly religious (not just spiritual) like Original Sin, etc.
I read your original post..and some pf your others between page 1 and what ever number this thread is on.
and well I'd admit a lot of lyrics are spiritual and some might even reference a god or be religious..
but to try and say they are moving to Christian Rock is well just crazy.
and I think that what spawned this long long thread..
but it got everyone talking and think that what Ed and the boys would want
Comments
Come on. Still not buying this. Using a reference to a religious text as a metaphor in a non-religious context does *not* qualify a lyric as being overtly religious (or even covertly religious).
How religious is this cheezy bar pickup line: "Somebody call Heaven, because I think an angel has gone missing!" or, similarly, "Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?"
The "foriginal sin" lyric in Johnny Guitar is in the same vain. It's a religious idea used for a completely non-religious use. Time to figure out how to use literary techniques.
ok, like i said, no worries. some of you are 100X more upset about me posting a point of view than I was about the lyrics. if it's such a moronic opinion, why not just ignore it really?
No, not aimed at you at all. However, I've seen this being insinuated on other threads with a similar topic.
yeah, again, i don't dislike the songs on BS that have these references. i love sometimes too. this was never intended as an I hate BS thread. i've been one of the most vocal supporters of the album on here from day one.
I think the guys are at that point in their life where a lot of reflection is going on. Looking within yourself. Seeing where you are and how you got there. ...for them.
It’s beautiful.
In Force of Nature, Ed references the Sirens ... are you going to accuse him of being a devout believer of Greek mythology now, too?
Seriously. You need to stop. You are reaching on every one of these.
for the least they could possibly do
yeah, ummm, i never said any of these songs were religious there sport. I said there were religious references within the songs, which is 100% true.
Yes, there are, but I'm struggling to see what the point is. So you're saying there shouldn't be any religious references in any music you like, even if they're used in a secular context (which I would argue that all of them are)? Like I said before, you're going to limit anything that's very literate if you do that, and for what reason?
no, i didn't say there shouldn't be any. just seems like there are several more than on a normal PJ album. i am not considering cancelling my 10c membership or anything, it's really not as big a deal to me as this thread turned out to be. just really started off as a curiosity for me, thought it was worth mentioning, and it obviously doesn't make me dislike the album as a whole. in fact, some of the songs with the references are some of my favorites on the record. really all you have to do is read the title of the thread to understand how i feel about it. BS is a great album, i love it thoroughly. it just threw me off a little that ed vedder is using biblical language (more than normal).
The only thing I don't love about Backspacer is that everyone keeps calling it BS...
I am not getting the references, honestly Ed cusses and drinks like a sailor, god bless him ....
OUCH
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
so does my entire family (in laws), and they are supposedly devout catholics.
Remember way back Creed said they had better lyrics than Pearl Jam?
Funny Creed was mentioned because when reading Backspacers lyrics I jokingly thought This kicks Creed’s ass!
Didn't Ed say way at the beginning (I'm talking Ten) that he leaves the lyrics to the fans own interpritations? So...this is how YOU interprited it, so it's on YOU...
The problem with that is, he keeps TELLING us what these songs are about. Hey Ed ... zip it!
for the least they could possibly do
This argument could go on forever. I guess it depends on what you mean by "religious references." If you just think the word "sin" and the word "soul" are religious references -- as opposed to spiritual references -- then I don't know what to tell you. If you don't understand how a religious reference can be used to convey a secular idea -- a la Soundgarden's "Jesus Christ Pose" -- then I don't know what to tell you.
I just don't agree with your entire premise. And I also wonder, given that there are many different ways to interpret lyrics, why you would willingly choose an interpretation that pisses you off.
for the least they could possibly do
got some if you need it!
True....
okay, first, it's not an "argument", i stated a fact, that there are religious references within the songs. there's no need for you to be bothered by it, but there's no denying it. second, the words "sin" and "soul", by themselves, are not religious references per se. "Original Sin" and "Soul that has been Saved" are, in fact, references to religion. Original Sin is a direct Christian reference from the book of Genesis. Again, it's not that big of a deal, but I am not sure why some of you are arguing so persistently that these aren't religious references. It doesn't mean Ed is a Christian, I get that.
at no point have these references "pissed me off", nor has this discussion. it's those of you "arguing" your side who seem to be worked up.
Well, you did start the thread. Something must have prompted you to do that. Secondly, the Bible is just a book. There isn't a whole hell of a lot of differences between making reference to the Bible and making a reference to, Daniel Quinn's Ishmael.
Thirdly, and this is the point you continually seem to want to ignore, you can use a religious reference to make a secular point. Such as the "original sin" line from Johnny Guitar. I suppose it's a "religious reference" (I guess), but it is used in a secular way. He's saying the lady is a temptress. That's all. I suppose he could have said "the kind of woman responsible for original sin, which is a reference to the first book of the Bible, which is a book I don't believe in but the fable kind of fits here so bear with me."
Except I don't think Ed can hold his breath that long.
The fourth thing, and another point you keep conviently ignoring, is that there is a difference between spirituality and religion. There are atheists, I'm sure, who believe they have a soul, and there are countless ways to save it. Many people, religious and non-religious alike, seem to believe that if they live th right kind of life, their soul has been redeemed. In the case of Amongst the Waves, it is a power of love -- human, girl-on-guy love, that does the redeeming.
PS -- I don't know if you remember this, but 10 pages ago you accused Pearl Jam of producing "Christian Rock." That could explain why you're getting some of the heated responses you're getting, because that statement is kind of ridiculous.
for the least they could possibly do
i'm not ignoring any points, i'm just not arguing that. Some of you just like to debate, I don't know, out of boredom or something. Let's put this one to bed. I'm not ignoring the spirituality vs. religion point, I get it completely. i consider myself and anti-religion spiritual person. i'm not sure why this is such a hot topic on here, i think some of you protest too much. i just interpreted the lyrics as more directly religious than in the past. perhaps i'm wrong. that would be OK, not the first or last time.
My thoughts are the OP went overboard just kind of shooting the shit/hearing himself type/talk. People rang in and he backed off. Then people continue to badger this guy. So he feels he must defend.
He has changed his tune from the original post, and now he is defending a position he never fully embraced.
Read through this, he bowed out gracefully at one point only to be dragged back in.
Here is the compromise.
Eddie has always used spiritual overtones in his music. He is not christian, or what you would call traditionally religious. This is no big deal, even the OP has said this a few times in this thread.
I think after the many clarifications of intent and meaning of those spiritual phrases the OP will probably be less concerned than he was when this thread started.
Fair enough. Seemed a weird topic is all. I'm still not completely buying that you started a thread calling Backspacer "Christian rock" and expected no responses at all.
But whatever.
for the least they could possibly do
Uhh...What? Dude WTF are you talking about?
there's probably some truth to this, ie me trying to get out and getting sucked back in. that whole retard trying to win an internet argument thing, i'm a sucker for it.
anyway, if one takes a look at the thread title, that tells the main idea of my post. love the record. not accusing Ed (GOD forbid) of being Christian. just struck me more than in past albums. maybe not even the references themselves, perhaps the way I interpreted the tone.
yeah, in hindsight, probably went a little strong on that. oh well. thank God for Pearl Jam.
Amen!
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I think we have to be flexible. Any belief system that is inflexible, closed off to other belief systems, is profoundly unhealthy. I also think that if you look at life as a long line of evolutionary changes that started billions of years ago, from little things crawling in the mud, and the you realize where we’ve got to now, that is a remarkable set of circumstances. There is more magic in that, for me, than someone creating the planet in six days and taking a day off. When you realize how long humanity has taken to get to this point, it makes you respect another person’s life in a deeper and broader sense. I wouldn’t’ think of killing anybody because their lineage goes back to the primordial seas, not because there’s some eye in the sky, looking out for how many commandments you’re going to break.
- Eddie Vedder thoughts on religion/spirituality etc.
I read your original post..and some pf your others between page 1 and what ever number this thread is on.
and well I'd admit a lot of lyrics are spiritual and some might even reference a god or be religious..
but to try and say they are moving to Christian Rock is well just crazy.
and I think that what spawned this long long thread..
but it got everyone talking and think that what Ed and the boys would want
http://www.myspace.com/mrmojorisinca