Posted on 07/29/2005 5:11:57 AM PDT by rhema
Is Bono, the lead singer and songwriter for the rock group U2, a Christian? He says he is and writes about Christianity in his lyrics. Yet many people question whether Bono is "really" a Christian, due to his notoriously bad language, liberal politics, and rock star antics (though he has been faithfully married for 23 years). But in a new book of interviews, Bono in Conversation by Michka Assayas, Bono, though using some salty language, makes an explicit confession of faith.
The interviewer, Mr. Assayas, begins by asking Bono, Doesn't he think "appalling things" happen when people become religious? Bono counters, "It's a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the Universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma."
The interviewer asks, What's that? "At the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one," explains Bono. "And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that. . . . Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff."
The interviewer asks, Like what? "That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge," says Bono. "It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."
Then the interviewer marvels, "The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that."
"The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death," replies Bono. "It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of Heaven."
The interviewer marvels some more: "That's a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it's close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has His rank among the world's great thinkers. But Son of God, isn't that farfetched?"
Bono comes back, "Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: He was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn't allow you that. He doesn't let you off that hook. Christ says, No. I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: 'I'm the Messiah.' I'm saying: 'I am God incarnate.' . . . So what you're left with is either Christ was who He said He was—the Messiah—or a complete nutcase. . . . The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me that's farfetched."
What is most interesting in this exchange is the reaction of the interviewer, to whom Bono is, in effect, witnessing. This hip rock journalist starts by scorning what he thinks is Christianity. But it is as if he had never heard of grace, the atonement, the deity of Christ, the gospel. And he probably hadn't. But when he hears what Christianity is actually all about, he is amazed.
I memorized Ephesians 5:4 - "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."
Smoked for 11 years, but quit cold-turkey over a year ago when the Lord called me into His service. Keep praying for deliverance from Old habits!
Did Grace or Karma return the stolen trousers?
A first-cousin of mine is an extremely spiritual, dedicated Catholic priest. He is also a foul-mouthed, down-to-earth, regular guy who loves to go out drinking with his friends when the opportunity presents itself. The idea that you can't be a good person (of whatever religious persuasion, if any) if you use bad language or have a few pints is pure and utter bollocks, in my opinion!
As far as I'm aware, Bono was raised in the Church of Ireland (Irish section of the Anglican church).
The Edge must have moved to Dublin at a very young age, because that is a very strong middle-class Dublin accent that he speaks with.
" I would reccomend we back off the Judgement not for Bono's sake but because what you measure will be measured to you."
That really isn't fair of you to make the assumption THAT many people really know what Bono thinks or believes since many like myself only know of his musical occupation. I'm siimply not all wrapped about about U2. Only U2 fans are into all things Bono where as Bill Clinton WAS the President of U.S.A. and HIS LIFE WAS LITERALLY UNDER THE GLOBAL MICROSCOPE for eight long years. So here you are, passing judgement on us who are passing judgement on Bono who passes judgement regarding the impoverished "measuring" people by how much money they donate to his chosen pet charities.
"Of course, the Bible also says that there is nothing new under the sun. That means that *none* of us really have an original thought. I guess that makes us all useful idiots, huh?"
That's your choice to make not mine. I prefer to read the bible for the word of God not C.S. Lewis as if it were THE BIBLE.
Seems he's read some C.S. Lewis
"That's more than you can say for many, myself included"
I'm more curious why so many like yourself choose, persist in making your peer beings like Bono your worship idol when YOU too are a gift of God and already have Christ in your life.
DS
"Is it within the realm of possibility that they both (Lewis and Bono)read the scriptures and formed the same conclusions?"
LOL swell, now you're going to try and tell me Bono is now one with Lewis. Who are you anyway, Bono's interpreter or Bono?
I remember from a bio I read on Hermann Goering, that just before Goering commited suicide (I think it was earlier on the same day) a priest or minister explained the concept of Grace to him. Goering declined the offer.
But to answer your question, it was available even to Goering. But for the transformation (redemption) to take place, Grace and all that comes with it must be earnestly and contritely accepted.
He's certainly doing what God told His followers to do, and that's to feed the poor. He has a good heart. We can't lump all liberals into one porridge because I know many good ones. The ones I don't care for are the ones who run Congress and our government. They're dangerous. The peace weenies drive me buggy, too.
I'm sure his heart is in the right place. We send money over to Africa all the time and don't know where it ends up. That's why I personally send to Christian ministries.
Wow! I had no idea. That's good news.
I don't follow Bono so I really don't know what he's saying except for this post. I would NEVER give money to a dictatorship-led country. I hate it when the US does. There are a lot of good, Christian ministries who can handle the funds better than the leaders of government over there.
"Well, he's not my "worship idol". I simply pointed out that he's done more to try to alleviate poverty than I (and many others) have."
Because Bono was fortunate enough to make millions off of hit records affording him lear jet trips to far off lands does not make him any more IMPORTANT than YOU in the eyes of OUR lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Christ isn't mea$uring you($$$) or Bono, too bad you haven't figured that one out yet. Oh one more thing, Christ doesn't wear a watch either so don't sweat the time thing. ;)
From U2's song "Grace":
Grace
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name
Grace
It's a name for a girl
It's also a thought that
Changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness
In everything
Grace
She's got the walk
Not on a wrapper on chalk
She's got the time to talk
She travels outside
Of karma, karma
She travels outside
Of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear the strings
Grace finds beauty
In everything
Grace
She carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips
Between her fingertips
She carries a pearl
In perfect condition
What once was hers
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stains
Because grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things
Grace finds beauty
In everything
Grace finds goodness
In everything
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.