From: djn20624@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Danielson)
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
Subject: Re: U2's denomination
Date: 8 Sep 92 14:47:49 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.Bu9L3q.Gr
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

ss1@kepler.unh.edu (The Rink) writes:

>Paul said we should "avoid the appearance of evil."  I make no calls on
>whether or not U2 is (or what parts are) right or wrong -- I haven't heard
>much.  But I do know that Christians should not base their judgment calls
>on what "offends" them.  Because the Bible also says the heart is
>deceitful.  As Christians, we must live godly lives, avoiding evil
>WHENEVER POSSIBLE (obviously it isn't possible to avoid it all the time).

	It would be really nice if all issues were black and white, right
or wrong, good or bad.  But let's face it; 99% of the issues have shades of
grey.  And I don't think that quoting a verse or even a book of the Bible 
will make the issue much clearer (it may but it may not).  I am not an
expert on the Bible, but doesn't Paul talk about love too (I Corin 13??).
Also, "evil" is such a vague term.  To me, U2 is not evil (in fact, the 
opposite), to a conservative fundelmentalist, even CCM may be evil.  To say 
the heart is deceitful cause the Bible says so, and then apply that to this
situation is dumb.  Look, listen, research, and then judge.  God gave us a
brain first.  Use it.
	Judgement calls are a part of life.  Everyday.  To use an example
from the Bible (although I don't really want too).  Didn't Paul say that
if eating meat in front of your brother offends him, then don't or wait til
he leaves.  One man sees eating meat bad, one sees it ok.  One edifing, one 
not.

>We must focus on the spiritual things in life -- not go to rock and roll
>concerts because they "sound good" but because they are spiritually
>edifying as opposed to spiritually draining.  And no, the "neat" feeling
>you get when you listen to a snappy tune is NOT spiritually edifying.

	U2's lyrics actually have meaning (in addition to a snappy tune).
To me, they do edify me, much more than some boring song saying 'Praise
God.' over and over (or something like that).  Those paint the world to rosey,
not down to earth enough for me.  IMO, some of U2's songs hit at the heart
of the Judeo-Christian religion: justice.  U2 speaks out for the less fortunate
like the oppressed in South Africa, for pure religion, for an end to the Irish
Revolution, for the poor, for equal rights (MLK songs), for Praising God (40),
love (Pride), etc, etc.  A lot of the Old Testament Prophets spoke about the 
very same things (read Amos).  
	This is the good things in U2.  There are some issues and
things that I disargree with, but hey, we have our opinions.  Just because
we have a difference of opinions on some issues doesn't mean they're "evil."

>The Word of God is all that can fulfill us, spiritually, and all contrary to
>that is spiritually draining.  Consumption of alcohol without moderation (or
>with little moderation), dirty language, etc., is ungodly stuff -- Christians
>shouldn't be messing around with that stuff.  Avoid it.

	One thing U2 does is swear, that may offend some people, true.  It does
not bother me too much.  It instead reflects their true intensity on the 
issues.  My favorite part of Rattle and Hum is during _Sunday_Bloody_Sunday_
is the part Bono is talking about the Revolution and screams 'F___ the
Revolution.'  The intensity of his speech makes you THINK about war, not the
glammor and glory, but the suffering and misery of those trapped.  The last
time he screams 'No more,' Wow!
	Also, to relate this to Christianity, I was talking to a religious
studies student, and he said that Jesus used strong language back in those 
days.  If that is true or if it means a thing, I really don't know.  It 
definately shouldn't be used as an excuse to curse all the time though.

>End sermon.

End of rebutal :-)

Dan.
djn20624@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu    (soon to lose his account??  3 days and counting.)