reedu - You have a great point - dead on. A point to consider: After the death of Neil Peart's wife and only daughter in the late 90's, his rebuilt his life and moved to Los Angeles with his new wife. I'm certain that he's picked up on the almost-cavalier & flippant attitude many Christians have. (I USED to be one - so I know what he probably obsesrved) . This song almost seems as his response to thier "taking lightly" of his sorrow and sadness (or that of others). Neil has, since the early 1970's, been the main lyric writer for Rush. He's always been an open skeptic of government, and especially religion. It seems to me, that in recent years, and in light of his moving to the United States, and the personal tragedy he's been through - he's only become more jaded, cynical, bitter and skeptical of faith, religion, and ideals of an "inherently good universe". These views have become more obvious and recognizable in his lyrics.
reedu - You have a great point - dead on. A point to consider: After the death of Neil Peart's wife and only daughter in the late 90's, his rebuilt his life and moved to Los Angeles with his new wife. I'm certain that he's picked up on the almost-cavalier & flippant attitude many Christians have. (I USED to be one - so I know what he probably obsesrved) . This song almost seems as his response to thier "taking lightly" of his sorrow and sadness (or that of others). Neil has, since the early 1970's, been the main lyric writer for Rush. He's always been an open skeptic of government, and especially religion. It seems to me, that in recent years, and in light of his moving to the United States, and the personal tragedy he's been through - he's only become more jaded, cynical, bitter and skeptical of faith, religion, and ideals of an "inherently good universe". These views have become more obvious and recognizable in his lyrics.