Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Salty dogma: Bono gives an explicit confession of being saved by Grace, not Karma
WORLD ^ | August 6, 2005 | Gene Edward Veith

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: bono; bornagain; christians; music; u2; witnessing
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 221-240241-260261-280281-291 next last
To: Do not dub me shapka broham; Happygal; Colosis; Incorrigible; aculeus
"Nuns aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh *Father Jack jumps through window"!!


261 posted on 07/31/2005 7:23:23 PM PDT by Irish_Thatcherite (Ideal IRA statement: "We are curling up to die".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 257 | View Replies]

To: Irish_Thatcherite

Haha! Feck. Arse!


262 posted on 07/31/2005 8:25:26 PM PDT by Happygal (liberalism - a narrow tribal outlook largely founded on class prejudice)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 261 | View Replies]

To: pollyannaish

I think that a lot of the sins of the world get much less interesting as you age and gain wisdom.Most of the sins of our youth are fueled by the whole sex-violence-money syndrome.
You get to where those things finally just plain don't matter as much.You get to the point where you walk away from a fight,can take or leave a pretty body as well as understanding that the material world is a very shallow one.
As you get closer to your ultimate meeting with God,the false things of this world seem so very trite compared to the glories that are coming your way in the next life.


263 posted on 07/31/2005 8:32:14 PM PDT by Riverman94610
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 167 | View Replies]

To: rhema

" I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross..."

That's faith, in my book. I hope this really IS an interview with Bono, and not a hoax (no reflection on you, dear poster, I don't mean it like that).


264 posted on 07/31/2005 8:36:33 PM PDT by SerpentDove (Roll down the wallpaper, we're moving.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SunnySide

>>Should Christ be flattered by Bonehead?<<

I don't know. But I know He will accept him, if his faith is sincere.

Did you disapprove of the woman caught in adultery to the same degree?


265 posted on 07/31/2005 8:46:06 PM PDT by SerpentDove (Roll down the wallpaper, we're moving.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: Jorge

Now on THIS issue we agree!

And that's all that really matters.

:-)


266 posted on 07/31/2005 8:56:24 PM PDT by SerpentDove (Roll down the wallpaper, we're moving.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 258 | View Replies]

To: rhema
Yet many people question whether Bono is "really" a Christian, due to his notoriously bad language

I don't recall a "Thou Shalt Not Utter Salty Language" commandment.

267 posted on 07/31/2005 9:06:38 PM PDT by montag813
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rhema

Bono's words and sentiments are quite beautiful and unexpected. He is a very fascinating man.


268 posted on 07/31/2005 9:28:42 PM PDT by montag813
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jorge
Personally I have met Christians who I believe are much better in many ways than I am, yet they still are pro-choice. I'm not ready to judge their hearts or whether they are really a genuine Christian based on a single issue.

Whether a person seems religious means nothing to me. Satan himself used the Word of God to tempt Jesus.

Some "which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness."Matt 23:27

That single issue is very telling about whether a person has a heart changed by God or not.

I too am a sinner, saved by the grace and mercy of God. Even though I sin, I don't advocate, and fight feverishly for the right to, especially the right to murder babies.
269 posted on 07/31/2005 11:56:38 PM PDT by Delphinium
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 259 | View Replies]

To: Happygal

Drink! Girls!


270 posted on 08/01/2005 3:04:56 AM PDT by Irish_Thatcherite (Ideal IRA statement: "We are curling up to die".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 262 | View Replies]

To: SunnySide

"Life is tough, deal with it. I don't need a rock star(celebrity worship) to guide me on the right path which is what this topic is all about."

You know, I think you have a bit of an overly-Christian chip on your shoulder, along with a bad case of defensiveness about religion. What's with the constant reference to "celebrity worship" that you throw out? No one on this thread is talking about celebrity worship but you. We are talking about the man, Bono, and his faith, not his celebrity, and no one is asking anyone to follow him as if he is Christ. I don't get where you are coming from. You alternately seem to be attacking anyone on this thread that finds something good in Bono and his faith, and then insulting them as celebrity worshippers, based on no personal knowledge of any of their religious beliefs whatsoever. My vote goes to exNavyChick.


271 posted on 08/01/2005 3:49:08 AM PDT by flaglady47
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 232 | View Replies]

To: Jorge

I'm not claiming to be a better Christian or more of a Christian all I am saying is that you can not comparmentalize your Christianity.
I am not saying that you have to carry the mantle of antiabortion or some such other thing but When one becomes a Christian there should be no waiver in the belief of the wrongness of such actions. Or supporting/voting/speaking out for those that support those actions. I believe Christians cannot seperate thier core beliefs and thier vote.

I could be wrong but it seems to me that Bono is probably a young Christian and is still working through some of those issues.
I pray that he is and he will be quite a witness for Christ.


272 posted on 08/01/2005 4:42:33 AM PDT by Rightly Biased (<><)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 258 | View Replies]

To: flaglady47
"You alternately seem to be attacking anyone on this thread that finds something good in Bono and his faith,"........................................ Wrong PR agent, I haven't alternated at all, I've been quite consistent. It's Bonos position which he uses to coerce the masses with guilt into throwing their money at greedy 3rd world dictators who in turn starve and slaughter their own citizens instead of tackling the heart of the matter. This thread is attempting to pre-canonize him for it. ...the road paved with riches for greedy dictators needs to be closed asap.
273 posted on 08/01/2005 6:03:31 AM PDT by SunnySide (Ephes2:8 ByGraceYou'veBeenSavedThruFaithAGiftOfGodSoNoOneCanBoast)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 271 | View Replies]

To: SerpentDove
"I don't know. But I know He will accept him, if his faith is sincere." ............................... I never said Bono will or won't be accepted. I'm a mere mortal unlike saint Bono so I wouldn't have any say wether he is sincere or not.
274 posted on 08/01/2005 6:13:06 AM PDT by SunnySide (Ephes2:8 ByGraceYou'veBeenSavedThruFaithAGiftOfGodSoNoOneCanBoast)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 265 | View Replies]

To: 17th Miss Regt

I was just thinking, he's a Lewis student....


275 posted on 08/01/2005 6:22:33 AM PDT by didi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: rhema

bump read later


276 posted on 08/01/2005 6:30:52 AM PDT by mel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zack Nguyen

Yes, there are, and they've been there for many years and I'm sure they've proven themselves to be trustworthy. M


277 posted on 08/01/2005 6:44:49 AM PDT by Marysecretary (Thank you, Lord, for FOUR MORE YEARS!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 251 | View Replies]

To: SunnySide

"Wrong PR agent, I haven't alternated at all, I've been quite consistent. It's Bonos position which he uses to coerce the masses with guilt into throwing their money at greedy 3rd world dictators who in turn starve and slaughter their own citizens instead of tackling the heart of the matter."

You do know you're reasonably unpleasant, don't you? Something very not Christian about you. Here's another one (me) that really doesn't want to continue the conversation, as it's a downer.


278 posted on 08/01/2005 10:09:39 PM PDT by flaglady47
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 273 | View Replies]

To: flaglady47
"You do know you're reasonably unpleasant, don't you? Something very not Christian about you." .................................................... Nice try LiberalLady47. Using christianity to beat christians into silence with. It won't work as you'd like. ..... I'm going to climb every mountain and sing, shout, speak....
279 posted on 08/02/2005 6:05:01 AM PDT by SunnySide (Ephes2:8 ByGraceYou'veBeenSavedThruFaithAGiftOfGodSoNoOneCanBoast)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 278 | View Replies]

To: 17th Miss Regt

"What Bono said was a very condensed version of what C. S. Lewis wrote in his book, "Mere Christianity"."

That is what I was thinking. This article is almost too pat to be real. But I am skeptical of such stuff naturally. World is a really good magazine.


280 posted on 08/02/2005 1:35:42 PM PDT by RobRoy (Child support and maintenance (alimony) are what we used to call indentured slavery)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 221-240241-260261-280281-291 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson