Andy is a militant atheist. It's amazing how people see what they want want to, no matter how clear the message is. The idea that he must believe in god because it's addressed to god is just silly. It's a lyrical device...take a literature course. For those who refuse to see the song for what it is and how it was meant, here is a quote from Andy about the song:
"it [Dear God] failed in part, because it wasn't as caustic as I would've liked it to be. It should've been a nail in throat of the public, but instead some took it as a declaration of faith when I wanted to make it clear that I don't believe in God - and that even if there is a He or a She they have nothing to do with organized religion."
Just watch the video for Dear God. Andy is attacking the massive twisted tree (religion) that people are desperately clinging to, which is exactly what he is doing in the lyrics. I really don't see how he could be any clearer.
It's a beautiful song and always hits a chord; I think it's wonderfully brave lyrics to address it so directly. I've felt exactly this way, screaming in disbelief at G-d for what He's done, both at times when I've called myself atheist and at times I've called myself a believer.
I do have to agree with EnidCaulfield though, the song's clearly atheist.
I'd like to put forth the crazy notion that believers and nonbelievers aren't as different as they, we, would like to ...uh, believe...
I think we all have questioned G-d. I do even now; in the same day question,...
It's a beautiful song and always hits a chord; I think it's wonderfully brave lyrics to address it so directly. I've felt exactly this way, screaming in disbelief at G-d for what He's done, both at times when I've called myself atheist and at times I've called myself a believer.
I do have to agree with EnidCaulfield though, the song's clearly atheist.
I'd like to put forth the crazy notion that believers and nonbelievers aren't as different as they, we, would like to ...uh, believe...
I think we all have questioned G-d. I do even now; in the same day question, nay hate the bs of religion and at the same time am quite sure there's some benevolent force trying to look out for us.
But the problem of evil is not unique to Judeo-Christian belief; it's just more glaring there.
Regardless your belief, the source of evil is by nature a paradox; by definition evil is what shouldn't be.
Whether or not Andy is Atheist, the character in the song sounds like someone who was once a strong believer, or very pious man, who has slowly lost faith in what he once believed in.
Whether or not Andy is Atheist, the character in the song sounds like someone who was once a strong believer, or very pious man, who has slowly lost faith in what he once believed in.
Andy is a militant atheist. It's amazing how people see what they want want to, no matter how clear the message is. The idea that he must believe in god because it's addressed to god is just silly. It's a lyrical device...take a literature course. For those who refuse to see the song for what it is and how it was meant, here is a quote from Andy about the song:
"it [Dear God] failed in part, because it wasn't as caustic as I would've liked it to be. It should've been a nail in throat of the public, but instead some took it as a declaration of faith when I wanted to make it clear that I don't believe in God - and that even if there is a He or a She they have nothing to do with organized religion."
Just watch the video for Dear God. Andy is attacking the massive twisted tree (religion) that people are desperately clinging to, which is exactly what he is doing in the lyrics. I really don't see how he could be any clearer.
It's a beautiful song and always hits a chord; I think it's wonderfully brave lyrics to address it so directly. I've felt exactly this way, screaming in disbelief at G-d for what He's done, both at times when I've called myself atheist and at times I've called myself a believer. I do have to agree with EnidCaulfield though, the song's clearly atheist. I'd like to put forth the crazy notion that believers and nonbelievers aren't as different as they, we, would like to ...uh, believe... I think we all have questioned G-d. I do even now; in the same day question,...
It's a beautiful song and always hits a chord; I think it's wonderfully brave lyrics to address it so directly. I've felt exactly this way, screaming in disbelief at G-d for what He's done, both at times when I've called myself atheist and at times I've called myself a believer. I do have to agree with EnidCaulfield though, the song's clearly atheist. I'd like to put forth the crazy notion that believers and nonbelievers aren't as different as they, we, would like to ...uh, believe... I think we all have questioned G-d. I do even now; in the same day question, nay hate the bs of religion and at the same time am quite sure there's some benevolent force trying to look out for us. But the problem of evil is not unique to Judeo-Christian belief; it's just more glaring there. Regardless your belief, the source of evil is by nature a paradox; by definition evil is what shouldn't be.
Whether or not Andy is Atheist, the character in the song sounds like someone who was once a strong believer, or very pious man, who has slowly lost faith in what he once believed in.
Whether or not Andy is Atheist, the character in the song sounds like someone who was once a strong believer, or very pious man, who has slowly lost faith in what he once believed in.