I have to start out by saying I think one of the most beautiful things about music (in fact, art in general) is that it can be interpreted in many ways. There may be one specific theme the song the lyricist or band tends to reach out with, but it can always be admired from another angle.
That being said...
I'm a devoted Rush fan and an insatiable fan of Neil Peart. I can never get enough of his writings, his ideas and ramblings... His style is remarkable. He can tune in his listener or reader exactly how he intends and it's incredible. I've read all of his books and of course, like many, know of his tragedies.
Neil has always intertwined a wonderful dose of skepticism about religion and the like and he did so far before coming back after his hiatus to produce Vapor Trail.
As an atheist, I am very attuned to religious references. I must say, although Neil has directly referenced 'atheism' in his blog, he's never outright said he's an atheist. (And as an atheist, you don't have a dislike or hatred for god, you simply don't believe.) He may very well not be an atheist. Perhaps he doesn't prefer the term, or maybe he doesn't want to define himself with title. Maybe he doesn't know. In any shape or form, this song is not directly against religion.
In a much larger sense, it's about indoctrination and challenging things you've been told and have accepted without your own careful, rational thought. It no doubt can be viewed through a religious lens, which of course I do. In that case, you would arrive at a viewpoint that sheds light on the false pretenses lended to our youth by way of theism.
For a theist struggling with acceptance of the lyrics, in fevor to connect (like I always am with lyrics), try to think of it purely as challenging what you believe without outright acceptance of the ways of others. This does not have to be religion. This can simply be anything someone has told you was true that you have come to revisit.
I've seen them quite a few times over the last few years and cannot wait to see them again this weekend. This song I hold close to my heart. Too bad they aren't ripping it up with BU2B on this tour.
I have to start out by saying I think one of the most beautiful things about music (in fact, art in general) is that it can be interpreted in many ways. There may be one specific theme the song the lyricist or band tends to reach out with, but it can always be admired from another angle. That being said... I'm a devoted Rush fan and an insatiable fan of Neil Peart. I can never get enough of his writings, his ideas and ramblings... His style is remarkable. He can tune in his listener or reader exactly how he intends and it's incredible. I've read all of his books and of course, like many, know of his tragedies. Neil has always intertwined a wonderful dose of skepticism about religion and the like and he did so far before coming back after his hiatus to produce Vapor Trail. As an atheist, I am very attuned to religious references. I must say, although Neil has directly referenced 'atheism' in his blog, he's never outright said he's an atheist. (And as an atheist, you don't have a dislike or hatred for god, you simply don't believe.) He may very well not be an atheist. Perhaps he doesn't prefer the term, or maybe he doesn't want to define himself with title. Maybe he doesn't know. In any shape or form, this song is not directly against religion. In a much larger sense, it's about indoctrination and challenging things you've been told and have accepted without your own careful, rational thought. It no doubt can be viewed through a religious lens, which of course I do. In that case, you would arrive at a viewpoint that sheds light on the false pretenses lended to our youth by way of theism. For a theist struggling with acceptance of the lyrics, in fevor to connect (like I always am with lyrics), try to think of it purely as challenging what you believe without outright acceptance of the ways of others. This does not have to be religion. This can simply be anything someone has told you was true that you have come to revisit.
I've seen them quite a few times over the last few years and cannot wait to see them again this weekend. This song I hold close to my heart. Too bad they aren't ripping it up with BU2B on this tour.
Love and respect, A Geddycorn