I genuinely believe the song is more about religion than politics. Look at all of the religious references in there ("Get up off your knees," "What if this whole crusade is a big charade," "Just how deep do you believe?", "Justified in the name of the holy and the divine,"). If it was political, I don't think it would reference stereotypical Christianity so much (unless he wished to portray politics as a religion).
That being said, I believe the song is about following a religion blindly (which the meaning of the word "blindly" can be spun off into an entirely new debate). Regardless of how you define it, the song is speaking to those who fall into step with their religion, put on their smile, but continue to remain broken and empty, placing responsibility for life and circumstance solely on the shoulders of a deity who claims to be in control of your life. The song is a challenge to those to see past their indoctrination and their blindness to question their belief system, and follow what they can see and know to be true.
Coming from somebody with a long history in Christianity, stepping away from that was the most frightening, challenging experiences of my life. But it is so worth it. I've taken responsibility for my own life, I choose happiness, and my life has been so much better because of it.
I genuinely believe the song is more about religion than politics. Look at all of the religious references in there ("Get up off your knees," "What if this whole crusade is a big charade," "Just how deep do you believe?", "Justified in the name of the holy and the divine,"). If it was political, I don't think it would reference stereotypical Christianity so much (unless he wished to portray politics as a religion).
That being said, I believe the song is about following a religion blindly (which the meaning of the word "blindly" can be spun off into an entirely new debate). Regardless of how you define it, the song is speaking to those who fall into step with their religion, put on their smile, but continue to remain broken and empty, placing responsibility for life and circumstance solely on the shoulders of a deity who claims to be in control of your life. The song is a challenge to those to see past their indoctrination and their blindness to question their belief system, and follow what they can see and know to be true.
Coming from somebody with a long history in Christianity, stepping away from that was the most frightening, challenging experiences of my life. But it is so worth it. I've taken responsibility for my own life, I choose happiness, and my life has been so much better because of it.