The Daily Telegraph (U.K.) reports that James Runcie, author of “The Colours of Heaven,” announced at his book launch that he will interview Bono for a film about the purpose religion serves today. Runcie, who calls himself a “lapsed Christian,” will examine why people turn to religion only when they feel inadequate about themselves. The film will air on Channel 4.
32 thoughts on “Religion pro re nata”
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I don’t agree with the notion that people turn to God “only when they feel inadequate about themselves.” I turned to God because he created me. (Please forgive me while I pull out my Bible.) The idea that people turn to God because they “feel inadequate” only partially explains the God experience. Without God, one can only feel inadequate. It would be like being married without a partner. Also, God is not an emotional crutch. He is the source of life.
“I believe in Kingdom come…”
I don’t agree with the notion that people turn to God “only when they feel inadequate about themselves.” I turned to God because he created me. (Please forgive me while I pull out my Bible.) The idea that people turn to God because they “feel inadequate” only partially explains the God experience. Without God, one can only feel inadequate. It would be like being married without a partner. Also, God is not an emotional crutch. He is the source of life.
“I believe in Kingdom come…”
When it comes to matters of religion, I agree with Paul McGuinness and Adam.
When it comes to matters of religion, I agree with Paul McGuinness and Adam.
“Lookin’ for to fill that God-shaped hole…” God isn’t a crutch; God is the missing piece that some people don’t want to accept.
“Lookin’ for to fill that God-shaped hole…” God isn’t a crutch; God is the missing piece that some people don’t want to accept.
Bleh, you wrote, “When it comes to matters of religion, I agree with Paul McGuinness and Adam.” I think the policy in U2 is to let Bono do the talking. 🙂
Bleh, you wrote, “When it comes to matters of religion, I agree with Paul McGuinness and Adam.” I think the policy in U2 is to let Bono do the talking. 🙂
I wonder if Bono will mention what he and Edge have repeatedly stated in the past: that in the end religion only serves to divide, and that he does not believe himself to be a religious man, but a spiritual one.
I wonder if Bono will mention what he and Edge have repeatedly stated in the past: that in the end religion only serves to divide, and that he does not believe himself to be a religious man, but a spiritual one.
Inadequate about directing their own steps? Ya, the Bible says man can’t even do that without God.
Inadequate about directing their own steps? Ya, the Bible says man can’t even do that without God.
I had a meeeing with Paul McGuinness in March of 1995 and he could not have wine because he was observing Lent. And according to Bono “Adam IS a believer.”
I had a meeeing with Paul McGuinness in March of 1995 and he could not have wine because he was observing Lent. And according to Bono “Adam IS a believer.”
The main thing Bono has said about faith (not religion) is that’s the one area you can’t be a group on, and I am forced to agree… No one will ever veiw this the same way, but one extreme can be just as negative (Sept. 11th) as the other, or positive as the case is with Bono’s aids work…
The main thing Bono has said about faith (not religion) is that’s the one area you can’t be a group on, and I am forced to agree… No one will ever veiw this the same way, but one extreme can be just as negative (Sept. 11th) as the other, or positive as the case is with Bono’s aids work…
Interestingly, James Runcie is the son of the late Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie. He’s made other films investigating and challenging belief. His film seem to be dealing with his own personal journey, questioning rather than blindly accepting. I rather think Bono wouldn’t participate if he didn’t think the author and subject matter of the film worthwhile.
Interestingly, James Runcie is the son of the late Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie. He’s made other films investigating and challenging belief. His film seem to be dealing with his own personal journey, questioning rather than blindly accepting. I rather think Bono wouldn’t participate if he didn’t think the author and subject matter of the film worthwhile.
Why many peaple are so annoyed about the fact of the faith explained by Bono?
God isn’t matter for bigots. God is matter for real man, with his desires, his needs. Why Jesus is so enchanting? Because Jesus is God?
God, first of all (laws, prescrictions…) is attraction.
Why many peaple are so annoyed about the fact of the faith explained by Bono?
God isn’t matter for bigots. God is matter for real man, with his desires, his needs. Why Jesus is so enchanting? Because Jesus is God?
God, first of all (laws, prescrictions…) is attraction.
‘Questioning rather than blindly accepting’, that is always the right attitude, in religion as well as in politics. It prevents fundamentalism, bigotry and in the end, wars, I guess. Bono is very good at questioning religion. That’s probably why I (almost) always find his views fascinating, although I am not a believer myself.
‘Questioning rather than blindly accepting’, that is always the right attitude, in religion as well as in politics. It prevents fundamentalism, bigotry and in the end, wars, I guess. Bono is very good at questioning religion. That’s probably why I (almost) always find his views fascinating, although I am not a believer myself.
Vonb that is interesting…I never thought I’d see the words ‘Runcie’ and ‘lapsed christian’ in the same sentence..
Vonb that is interesting…I never thought I’d see the words ‘Runcie’ and ‘lapsed christian’ in the same sentence..
I agree with Mark Adams. SOME people may turn to spirituality only when they feel inadequate but that certainly is not true of all of us. (although there is a case for the idea that when you understand and come to believe that a Higher Power (?God0 created this world (as well as others) AND loves and cares for his creation, inadequacy may be a part of what you feel. I certainly hope that Mr. Runcie’s film will offer a broader picture the impetus behind faith and belief than that. I have a feeling that Bono may provide a more complete perspective. Will wait to see it with interest.
I agree with Mark Adams. SOME people may turn to spirituality only when they feel inadequate but that certainly is not true of all of us. (although there is a case for the idea that when you understand and come to believe that a Higher Power (?God0 created this world (as well as others) AND loves and cares for his creation, inadequacy may be a part of what you feel. I certainly hope that Mr. Runcie’s film will offer a broader picture the impetus behind faith and belief than that. I have a feeling that Bono may provide a more complete perspective. Will wait to see it with interest.
Hey Bono, you’re worth around 200 million dollars. You get paid to freaking sing. Africa is up in flames, just like you say. People starve. Kids have AIDS. Again, you’re worth around 200 million dollars because you sing. Some people are homeless. Others have cancer. You’re worth around 200 million dollars. You see a lack of balance there? I scraped God off a long time ago. I have a lot of money, family, friends and not a care in the world. Very happy. It’s strange to me that a lot of believers don’t have any of those things. He doesn’t exist. If by some slim chance he does, then he doesn’t care. It’s how we work and luck of the draw that decides our fate.
Hey Bono, you’re worth around 200 million dollars. You get paid to freaking sing. Africa is up in flames, just like you say. People starve. Kids have AIDS. Again, you’re worth around 200 million dollars because you sing. Some people are homeless. Others have cancer. You’re worth around 200 million dollars. You see a lack of balance there? I scraped God off a long time ago. I have a lot of money, family, friends and not a care in the world. Very happy. It’s strange to me that a lot of believers don’t have any of those things. He doesn’t exist. If by some slim chance he does, then he doesn’t care. It’s how we work and luck of the draw that decides our fate.
It’s nice to see that so far we’ve been able to discuss religion without getting angry, even when we disagree. YAY!
It’s nice to see that so far we’ve been able to discuss religion without getting angry, even when we disagree. YAY!
Mark Adams, it sounds like James Runcie’s film will be about why people turn to *religion* only when they feel inadequate about themselves, not why they turn to God. Those are two different questions.
Mark Adams, it sounds like James Runcie’s film will be about why people turn to *religion* only when they feel inadequate about themselves, not why they turn to God. Those are two different questions.