Down In Flames

This is my interpretation of the song. I've always thought this was about the stupidity of the story of Jesus Christ. Now hear me out I will try to explain every line. Verse 1: "Shame, Wear the pity and the Blame" This is in reference to the fact he was shamed, and took the pity and blame of humanity to the cross.

"Basking in the glow, A lovely crown of thorns." This is a biblical reference to the image of holiness Jesus has, and the fact that he had a crown of thorns.

"Cliche, Over dramatic display" This is the criticism begins, the fact that previous religions have had saviors and stories like this and that this is more about theatrics then simple forgiveness. Couldn't he just forgive humanity with animal sacrifices or fair punishment.

"An unwelcome show, Of steady undertow" The criticism continues, We didn't want these theatrics just for God to keep an image and make a bigger impression. Verse 2: "Vain, You're the Abel and the Cain" This is another biblical reference, That God is only focused on his own self image, thus vain. It also reference Abel and Cain, by saying he has the pureness of Abel, but took on the sins of Cain.

"No coincidence, You crave an audience" This refers to Gods in the old testament and how he wanted only worship and was getting people to worship, and how he still craves attention and worship.

"Stray, You're committed to the decay" This alludes to how God left the love and forgiveness meant by this sacrifice, since people still go to hell. Also how humans darkness and fall is needed for his plan.

"Fake mercy pose, And on and on it goes" This is in reference to the fact that this whole thing was pointless since people still go to hell even with Jesus' message of mercy and sacrifice, and how people keep preaching about his mercy. Courus: "You'll make them watch while you go down in flames" This is about the fact that people watched his sacrifice, and a new religion was made on this. Also he went to hell because of this thus go down in flames.

"Self inflicted pretty little martyr" This could have been avoid if god just forgave or gave fair punishment, thus Jesus was a self inflicted martyr.

"If forcing empathy, Is as clever as you can be, We'll gladly watch while you go down in flames" This could mean that since the religion is about turning the other cheek, forgiveness, and fake mercy and if that is as good as Jesus can do non-christians will gladly watch his sacrifice and him go to hell.

"Burn, Baby, Burn" This is just an added insult telling him to enjoy the worthless pain and suffering he endured.

Now this is just my interpritation, maybe you agree. However if you don't pleas comment your own interpretation and maybe I'll agree and change my mind.

I must agree with that intepr. At first I thought the Biblical allusions were just metaphors, but I think it's actually referring to the Bible.

I will disagree on some of the quote interpretations though.

"An unwelcome show Of steady undertow" An undertow is a rip current that drags you down in the water, so I think this statement is about how religion is dragoing society down to drown.

"You'll make 'em watch while you go down in flames Self-inflicted pretty little martyr If forcing empathy Is as clever as you can be We'll gladly watch while you go down in flames Burn baby burn"

This reminded me of the Buddhist monks who set themselves on fire to protest the Vietnam war, and by doing so we're forcing others to empathize with them. However, I that is just used as a metaphor to describe Jesus. God / Jesus is the one that got himself crucified, and made everyone watch as he died, so people would be forced to empathize with him and see him as a god that would sacrifice himself to save others. However Blue Stahl responds by saying that if the only way he can get our attention and worship is by tormenting himself, we will merely watch him die and ignore his message.