Salty dogma: Bono gives an explicit confession of being saved by Grace, not Karma

WORLD ^ | August 6, 2005 | Gene Edward Veith

[kalee]

Thanks for posting.

[papertyger]

Bono is anything but a new believer.

[Rebelbase]

"I think swearing must be like smoking -- when it's been a lifelong habit, it's hard to break."

Yep. Mostly when I'm seething mad.

[Lil'freeper]

3 of the 4 band members converted in the early 80's (was it the drummer who was the holdout??). Regardless, their faith has been ever present in their work, subtly and overtly. Bono is a gifted poet. Unfortunately his political antics overshadow that fact.

[aberaussie]

bttt

[jcb8199]

He was an Irish Catholic before fame smacked him in the head...

[dagoofyfoot]

I'm sure Christ is looking for sincerity not useful idiots.


"And God gave his only begotten son so that no man should perish, but that all should have everlasting life"


Grace, my good man, Grace!

[hope]

Wow!

[SunnySide]

"And God gave his only begotten son so that no man should perish, but that all should have everlasting life"


"Grace, my good man, Grace!"


You think Hitler and the ruthless Nazi concentration camp doctor Dr. Josef Mengele got ever lasting life?

[Emmett McCarthy]

The only language I detest and won't tolerate either from myself or from others is the taking of the Lord's name in vain. As for the "salty" language others have mentioned, I figure that Jesus made disciples of working men - fishermen, especially - and I can't imagine that there wasn't an occasional cuss word among them.

As to the comments about how Bono has drawn directly from C.S. Lewis, well, the great thing about Lewis' work is that he has made great truths simple, understandable and able to be passed on to others who may or may not have extensive intellect. When I've used these same explanations, I make it a point to ask if the person I'm talking to likes to read. If they do I refer them to "Mere Christianity"; if not, I just share the ideas. I'm sure Lewis doesn't care whether he's given credit - and, yes, I know he's passed on, but he's part of the "communion of saints", and present tense is perfectly appropriate.

[Juana la Loca]

I saw a Behind the Music episode on them and Bono, Larry Mullen, and The Edge have been born-again Christians since their late teens or early twenties. The only non-Christian in the group is Adam Clayton. I believe he is an atheist.

I love U2. I've been listening to them since I was 16 (I'm now 37). This should not come as a surprise to anyone remotely familiar with their music. There are lot of references to God, grace, and faith in their lyrics, most of which are penned by Bono.

Bono takes a lot of thrashing on FR for his liberal politics. I think it's unwarranted. To me he seems apolitical, making nice with the Clintons as well as Bush. He cares deeply about alleviating poverty. I daresay Christ does as well. You may disagree with his tactics in reaching that end, but Bono is a good egg.

[papertyger]

Godwin's law. You lose. Thanks for playing.

[dagoofyfoot]

You think Hitler and the ruthless Nazi concentration camp doctor Dr. Josef Mengele got ever lasting life


Hopefully they everlasting life in some of the deepest holes in hell!


Salvation is a gift to those who want it, (you have to want it)


and you have to believe it...I don't think they even thought about it.


Bono wants it!

[xp38]

Not sure but I had read about the Christianity of U2 a few years after they had recordings out. This was in the mid 1980s so it definitely predated that.

[Tribune7]

bump

[L,TOWM]

I'm surprised - it got to 40 before the first Pharisee cast the first stone. I'd have taken the under at 25...

[Tribune7]

IIRC, he was giving testimony at CBGBs during shows in the '70s.

[Juana la Loca]

LOVE RESCUE ME (by Bono and Bob Dylan)


Love rescue me
Come forth and speak to me
Raise me up and don't let me fall
No man is my enemy
My own hands imprison me
Love rescue me


Many strangers have I met
On the road to my regret
Many lost who seek to find themselves in me
They ask me to reveal
The very thoughts they would conceal
Love rescue me


And the sun in the sky
Makes a shadow of you and I
Stretching out as the sun sinks in the sea
I'm here without a name
In the palace of my shame
Said, love rescue me


In the cold mirror of a glass
I see my reflection pass
See the dark shades of what I used to be
See the purple of her eyes
The scarlet of my lies
Love rescue me


Yea, though I walk
In the valley of shadow
Yea, I will fear no evil
I have cursed thy rod and staff
They no longer comfort me
Love rescue me


Sha la la...sha la la la
Sha la la la...ha la la...
Sha la la la...sha la la la
Sha la la la...sha la la
Sha la la la...sha la la la
Sha la la...
I said love, love rescue me


I said love
Climb up the mountains, said love
I said love, oh my love
On the hill of the son
I'm on the eve of a storm
And my word you must believe in
Oh, I said love, rescue me
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah...


Yeah I'm here without a name
In the palace of my shame
I said love rescue me


I've conquered my past
The future is here at last
I stand at the entrance
To a new world I can see
The ruins to the right of me
Will soon have lost sight of me
Love rescue me

[Aquinasfan]

"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."

Excellent apologetics work by Mr. Bono.

I've heard other interviews with him where he describes himself as generically Christian. As a Catholic, I find this a bit sad, although understandable, considering his living through "the troubles."

[Wright Wing]

I have always been a fan for years. As a Catholic, I think Bono expresses a very well thought out expression of faith that is articulated perfectly. While Bono works politically in ways that we may call liberal, I have always felt his goals were sincere. Compassionate people who give their lives working for the poor have never been in the same league as the secular liberal who seeks nothing but power for the sake of power. Good for Bono and I would thank him for standing up for his beliefs in the face of open ridicule and ignorance.