02-06-2022, 03:42 PMPremierBromanov Wrote: i just...i cant tell who is posting copypasta and who is making brand new copypasta as we speak.

OK Folks:

The Song "God Part II" is an answer, and in part, a tribute to, the earlier John Lennon song "God" where John points out things that he doesn't believe in.

Bono, a Christian answers: (One key point is that Bono often uses the statement "God is love" algebraically flipped, such that the word "love" stands for God)

Don't believe the devil
I don't believe his book
But the truth is not the same
Without the lies he made up
Don't believe in excess
Success is to give
Don't believe in riches
But you should see where I live
I, I believe in love

(In every stanza, there is a contradiction. "Don't believe in riches..." This is Bono recognizing a certain hypocrisy. He recognizes that he is a sinner and not a perfect Saint, taking advantage of his wealth at the same time that he works for the poor in such a way as to make it a second job. The last line reads "I, I believe in God" when you make the substitution that I suggested above. I believe that Bono is saying that despite is imperfections that he is still trying, and with God's grace, he will get there)

Don't believe in forced entry
Don't believe in rape
But every time she passes by
Wild thoughts escape

(This section is really quite nuanced, coming from a devout Christian. Bono, and myself in using his lyrics is saying that I DON'T believe in or condone violence against women. I DON'T believe in or condone rape. I believe that this includes being against the blatant objectification of women. That is certainly the case for me, and if you listen to Bono's support of women, it is for him as well. Yet, again there is a seeming contradiction in these four simple lines. I believe that Bono as a Christian, is aware that Jesus once said that if a man looks at a woman with lust in his heart, he has committed adultery. Bono and I recognize that it is almost impossible to avoid this level of sin. "every time she passes by, wild thoughts escape" is a dramatic way of saying that he and I have desires and that they are not always completely pure. Now, at some level, I was pointing out in my post, that these a certain level of desire is actually healthy. I thought that Merica's signature was tasteful and within that healthy range. These lyrics are not "rapey shit". The message is far more subtle than that. This is Christian Rock. It is not gangster rap.)

Let it be understood that I have nothing against anyone here. But Jesus also had something to say about people who were holding stones ready to cast them at an adulterer. He called out to them saying "Let the one of you who is sinless cast the first stone". All of those stones dropped to the ground. I am not sorry for making a post supporting Merica making a tasteful image of a woman. I am not sorry for the actual message either. Yet I am sorry for the impact that the post had however, and I will endeavor to be either more sensitive in the future, and for the better part will seek to not engage much more on the forums outside of improving my player and my teams.


Don't believe in Death Row
Skid row or the gangs
Don't believe in the Uzi
It just went off in my hands
I, I believe in love

Don't believe in cocaine
Got a speedball in my head
I could cut and crack you open
Did you hear what I said?
Don't believe them when they tell me
There ain't no cure
The rich stay healthy
The sick stay poor
I, I believe in love

Don't believe in Goldman
His type like a curse
Instant karma's gonna get him
If I don't get him first
Don't believe that Rock 'n' Roll
Can really change the world
As it spins in revolution
Yeah, it spirals and turns
I, I believe in love

Don't believe in the sixties
The golden age of pop
You glorify the past
When the future dries up
Heard a singer on the radio
Late last night
Says he's gonna kick the darkness
Till it bleeds daylight
I, I believe in love

Feel like I'm fallin'
I'm spinnin' on a wheel
It always stops beside a name
A presence I can feel
I believe in love
Stop!

Really, I don't believe that this is one of Bono's best efforts, but reading down toward the end of the song, he speaks of "A presence I can feel. I believe in love". This song is not "rapey shit" It is a statement that while there are many things that I reject, the one thing that can I always fall back on one thing that I can believe in: I believe in God and his presence. When everything else is going to shit, faith, hope, love and the presence of God remain.


So, as a Christian, I'm not here with the goal of hurting anyone or in winning any pissing contests. Go ahead and cast more stones if you want to. I have my shield and my strength. This is my final word on the subject.

This homily has ended. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.