I hate this song

[Lebowski]

Maybe every member of tool had a different perspective and they wanted to laugh at those who worshiped another man as a living God when WE know that

GOD- a collection of all the light energy in the universe... everything is touched by light?

[Stratos]

Maybe they're laughing at the leaders of religion who use God as a tool to further their agenda? It is sung from the perspective of a religious leader.

/doesn't believe in God.

[bluefire]

its not anti-god, its anti-people who use religion to control others. There is a difference.

[Wave.Existance.Tears]

Quite. Its a great song if you are openminded about it...and yes, many many religious leaders out there are the most corrupt people on Earth. How ironic.

[Toolgarden]

It's not ironic, because they stand for control anyway.

[Tyro]

It's not ironic, because they stand for control anyway.

So, control = corruption? Not necessarily.

Bible thumpers preach good morals, while many support "mushroom clouding" the middle east. Ironic? Yes. I think Jesus would've hit the fucking red button himself. *

(not to generalize, but many people I know who are Christians also hate muslims. And would like the middle east to be nuked)

[Toolgarden]

^Nice post.

[varg]

So, control = corruption? Not necessarily.

Bible thumpers preach good morals, while many support "mushroom clouding" the middle east. Ironic? Yes. I think Jesus would've hit the fucking red button himself. *

(not to generalize, but many people I know who are Christians also hate muslims. And would like the middle east to be nuked)

But that's just cause you are american.

[Tyro]

But that's just cause you are american.

True.

[varg]

True.

I know. Hey. It's me.

[Tyro]

But, me being American doesn't nullify the validity of my post.

[varg]

But, me being American doesn't nullify the validity of my post.

Indeed.

[Hubbard]

I'm an atheist.

With that said, you need to read the word of Jesus. He certainly would not have hit the red button. Jesus was a humanitarian.

[Chris_Brightwell]

its not anti-god, its anti-people who use religion to control others. There is a difference.Anti-people? Now you've gone to far.

Sorry. I had to.

[bluefire]

heres your anti-christ
super-star

[mikeanthony]

I always thought it was just about blind faith,
the people who will follow the bible to the word and go to church because they are so worried about going to hell

they will belive anything

[RiffBP]

i'm a christian and i think this song is brilliant. he illustrates so perfectly how i feel about they way humans have corrupted the word for their own personal gain. as soon as we put a person in a position of power within a religious organization (or any organization for that matter), we're playing with fire. humans are imperfect, corruptable, etc. it seems to be less about blindly following faith (which should NEVER be blind) and more about blindly following manipulative sociopaths' interpretations/corruptions of faith. dangerous indeed.

[OGT from back in the day]

i think this song is sarcastic but im not really sure

[K In Yo Mouf]

Karl Marx, Practically the Inventor of Communism, Waz Quoted as Saying "Religion Iz the Opiate of the People"...

Let That Get u Started...

[wags]

I'm an atheist.

With that said, you need to read the word of Jesus. He certainly would not have hit the red button. Jesus was a humanitarian.

and a pacifist.

[martyrinexile86]

Quite. Its a great song if you are openminded about it...and yes, many many religious leaders out there are the most corrupt people on Earth. How ironic.
Agreed

[C-Finch]

I always thought it was just about blind faith,
the people who will follow the bible to the word and go to church because they are so worried about going to hell

they will belive anything If you believe you will be scared about what God has controll over bro, I do not question the Word of God.. You have never lived a life until you live for God... I am firm in the christian faith. I am washed in the blood of Jesus Christ!! please write somthing back in ignorance.. and i soon will reply..

[wags]

Karl Marx, Practically the Inventor of Communism, Waz Quoted as Saying "Religion Iz the Opiate of the People"...

would you stop misquoting this?!!

[OGT from back in the day]

i do not believe in god, and if there is a god, i hate him (notice i did not capitalize anything that had to do with god)

[wags]

i do not believe in god, and if there is a god, i hate him (notice i did not capitalize anything that had to do with god)

is there a reason for this, or are you just spouting?

[koobcam]

Anyone with half a brain knows that buddhism is the only religion worth persuing, or trying to live by.

Eliminating the 'want' from yourself will allow you to be free and feel no pain. If you don't want for anything, there will be no pain.

[wags]

Anyone with half a brain knows that buddhism is the only religion worth persuing, or trying to live by.

Eliminating the 'want' from yourself will allow you to be free and feel no pain. If you don't want for anything, there will be no pain.

Buddhism is more of a philosohpy than religion, though it does have many aspects common to religion.

[OGT from back in the day]

is there a reason for this, or are you just spouting?
he has never done anything for me, never been there when i needed him most, and he took away some of my loved ones......o and for the not believing part, the bible, none of those stories make sense......o yes adam was created from mud and eve was created from a rib, thats real believable

[wearethestories]

he has never done anything for me, never been there when i needed him most, and he took away some of my loved ones......o and for the not believing part, the bible, none of those stories make sense......o yes adam was created from mud and eve was created from a rib, thats real believable
wow
and you listen to Tool?
how can you believe or subscribe to anything they speak of if you take stories so completely literally?

I'm a Christian, and I believe those stories literally, but even if I didn't, there are plenty of reasons why those stories would be told/incorportated into a religion.

Adam: made from dust (nothing) and it is only through the breath of God that we live. Adam "story" = continual need/reliance upon a Creator
Eve: made from man, so subject to man, but not in the way that most people mean "subject". It's not like women are inferior, but that there is a natural order to relationships where man leads woman (sacrificially like Christ leads the Church) and lays down his life to protect, serve her. So, Eve's "story" = correct status in relationships between man/woman reflecting correct status in relationship between God/human.

Even if you don't take the stories literally (which, again, I do) you can take them metaphorically and they still make sense.

[wearethestories]

Eliminating the 'want' from yourself will allow you to be free and feel no pain. If you don't want for anything, there will be no pain.
Yeah, that's kind of ridiculous.
Pain is a part of existence, and if you deny yourself part of existence, then you don't really live. There is much knowledge gained through suffering, though suffering is not really ideal.

Buddhism seeks to destroy the knowledge gained through suffering by claiming that eliminating 'want' or desire brings some sort of comfort. Yet if the desire is for comfort and for the freedom from pain, that is in itself a desire... a 'want' and thus it refutes itself.

[OGT from back in the day]

pain is not part of existance, this computer i am at right now, it doesnt feel pain, does that mean it doesnt exist? o and ya well u have fun with your little "god" thing, just dont be dissapointed if u die and there is no god

[wags]

pain is not part of existance, this computer i am at right now, it doesnt feel pain, does that mean it doesnt exist? o and ya well u have fun with your little "god" thing, just dont be dissapointed if u die and there is no god

Pain is a part of human EXISTENCE, yes. From the Christian point of view, it is due to the fall of Adam and original sin. As for me, I think that pain (the non-physical breed) is a condition of human existence due to the fact that we are dynamic, emotional beings. If we never changed, there would be no pain. So from now on, carefully consider the words you post, and don't just say "there is no god". Be constructive.

[OGT from back in the day]

Pain is a part of human EXISTENCE, yes. From the Christian point of view, it is due to the fall of Adam and original sin. As for me, I think that pain (the non-physical breed) is a condition of human existence due to the fact that we are dynamic, emotional beings. If we never changed, there would be no pain. So from now on, carefully consider the words you post, and don't just say "there is no god". Be constructive.
i never said "there is no god" i said i dont believe in god, it is my belief, just like christians have the right to believe in god, i have the right to not believe in him

[wags]

o and ya well u have fun with your little "god" thing, just dont be dissapointed if u die and there is no god

so you didn't say this?

[jim39n]

wow
and you listen to Tool?
how can you believe or subscribe to anything they speak of if you take stories so completely literally?

I'm a Christian, and I believe those stories literally, but even if I didn't, there are plenty of reasons why those stories would be told/incorportated into a religion.

Adam: made from dust (nothing) and it is only through the breath of God that we live. Adam "story" = continual need/reliance upon a Creator
Eve: made from man, so subject to man, but not in the way that most people mean "subject". It's not like women are inferior, but that there is a natural order to relationships where man leads woman (sacrificially like Christ leads the Church) and lays down his life to protect, serve her. So, Eve's "story" = correct status in relationships between man/woman reflecting correct status in relationship between God/human.

Even if you don't take the stories literally (which, again, I do) you can take them metaphorically and they still make sense.

you realize you said something and then just refuted yourself in the next paragraph

also, while i too believe that the story of adam and eve is a metaphor, your idea that because eve was made from adam's rib symbolizes a woman's role in life is preposterous, not to mention sexist. i think our modern culture (well, certain individuals in it anyway) have proven that old fashioned roles are unnessisary.

so you didn't say this?

he did say "if"

[OGT from back in the day]

thank you jim39n

[wags]

he did say "if"

I apologize. From the tone of his statement, I read "when you die", not "if". It was my infrerence based on the poster's attitude, which, you have to admit, is less than positive.

[xPOGOx]

(notice i did not capitalize anything that had to do with god)

This is how you assert your coolness in Internet Cyberville.

[fyre_faery]

Wow. I love this song but I just wasted about five minutes of my life reading the last half of this forum (it was like a car accident, I couldn't stop looking at it). Is there God? I am not sure, but I don't think that is what this song is about.

[neognosis]

I don't like it either, but that has nothing to do with lyrical content. It's just boring.

[3ulogy]

This song is completely and totally sarcastic, the song is meant to be heard as if a religious figure were singing it:and to be quite frank its true
"choices always were a problem for you, what you need is someone strong to guide you, you are broken but now faith will heal you, just do everything i tell you to do" This is just dripping with sarcasm

This has always been tools message, dont be a tool, think for yourself come to your own answers dont let someone else tell you how it is, go and find the truth for yourself.

As well I think I remember reading something about how he was abused by a pastor or something along those lines, which would make a lot of sense when you see all the negative views on religion.

[chaotic_confusion]

i read somewhere that it was his stepfather that sexually abused him, which was why he didn't attend the funeral... whether or not it's true, or if he was a pastor, i don't know.

[the_boys_not_whole]

pain is not part of existance, this computer i am at right now, it doesnt feel pain, does that mean it doesnt exist?
Pain is a part of existence as much as breathing is. Computers also don't breath, so what does that mean? In order to grow as an individual you need pain. I’m not referring to physical pain, although we've all had our share of physical pain. Emotional pain is inevitable. It’s just one of many emotions that make us human.

o and ya well u have fun with your little "god" thing, just dont be dissapointed if u die and there is no god
If I die and there is no God how am I going to know? And furthermore, if I could die and find out there is no God or afterlife why would I care? That was such an asinine statement.


he has never done anything for me, never been there when i needed him most, and he took away some of my loved ones
That is such a damn cop-out. What do you expect from God? Make sure your life is amazing? I hate to tell you, but that's not what God is there for....but wait, fuck that, what have you ever done for God, aside from expecting him to make your life perfect? Go to a fucking third world country and live in aids infested villages with no food or clean water for miles. Fuck you for being an ungrateful little bitch and complaining about your life. There are a lot of people a lot worse off than you. Be thankful for what you do have. Atheists like you annoy me. The only reason you don't believe in a God is because you're pissed about some misfortunes in your life. God gave us free will. Your life is what you make it, I know that shit happens. My aunt was murdered by her husband. My grandma died of cancer. I had a friend killed in a car wreck. I know things happen that are beyond your control, but that's part of life. It's part of that pain that you feel isn't a part of existance.

[Theheroeshavedied]

I'm a Christian, and I believe those stories literally, but even if I didn't, there are plenty of reasons why those stories would be told/incorportated into a religion.


those stories were not created to be interpreted litterally. what should be interpreted is the message that they try to get through. scriptures are allegorical texts( allegory: truth hidden behind a simple story. -Dante), as they are used to get transcendant messages to the masses, which otherwise would not be understood or experienced. the object of religion is to put man in touch with the divinity inside us, by any medium, be it bible or sacred representations. so the stories there told may not be litterally true, but used to transfer a holy message. religion is a fundamental aspect in mankind, as it symbolizes our will\struggle to touch the divinity in us.

it's not a matter of being christian or religious and taking the stories narrated for true, or being atheist and not believing to the stories you hear in the scriptures, but identifying ourselves or not in the virtues spoken of in the texts. I mean: 'love thy enemy' or 'forgive what has been done unto you'... who wouldn't appreciate these words?

[bionic_anchovy]

Yeah, that's kind of ridiculous.
Pain is a part of existence, and if you deny yourself part of existence, then you don't really live. There is much knowledge gained through suffering, though suffering is not really ideal.

Buddhism seeks to destroy the knowledge gained through suffering by claiming that eliminating 'want' or desire brings some sort of comfort. Yet if the desire is for comfort and for the freedom from pain, that is in itself a desire... a 'want' and thus it refutes itself.

Buddhism doesn't seek to 'remove' pain, as someone mentioned earlier. Buddhism is about realising that pain and pleasure are temporary, and thus clinging to those temporary feelings as though they are permanent causes suffering. Buddhism is about removing attachment to those feelings - you can still feel pain and pleasure, and you can still enjoy pleasure and dislike pain, but it's just a matter of realising that they are impermanent, and so there is no point in getting 'hung up' on those feelings. Also, in Buddhism, you are not supposed to desire enlightenment in a traditional sense, it's more about realising that you are nirvana all along, that you've been deluding yourself by attaching yourself to impermanent feelings and things.

Sorry for the essay, but I have studied a little Buddhism (I'm not a practitioner though) and find its ideas very interesting.

[OGT from back in the day]

Pain is a part of existence as much as breathing is. Computers also don't breath, so what does that mean? In order to grow as an individual you need pain. I’m not referring to physical pain, although we've all had our share of physical pain. Emotional pain is inevitable. It’s just one of many emotions that make us human.


If I die and there is no God how am I going to know? And furthermore, if I could die and find out there is no God or afterlife why would I care? That was such an asinine statement.


That is such a damn cop-out. What do you expect from God? Make sure your life is amazing? I hate to tell you, but that's not what God is there for....but wait, fuck that, what have you ever done for God, aside from expecting him to make your life perfect? Go to a fucking third world country and live in aids infested villages with no food or clean water for miles. Fuck you for being an ungrateful little bitch and complaining about your life. There are a lot of people a lot worse off than you. Be thankful for what you do have. Atheists like you annoy me. The only reason you don't believe in a God is because you're pissed about some misfortunes in your life. God gave us free will. Your life is what you make it, I know that shit happens. My aunt was murdered by her husband. My grandma died of cancer. I had a friend killed in a car wreck. I know things happen that are beyond your control, but that's part of life. It's part of that pain that you feel isn't a part of existance.
this guy is tearing up over something i said a while ago, i love it, and ya the reason i dont believe in god isnt because im pissed its because it doesnt make sense and also, i havent done anything for god but i didnt create god, if i created him i would have done something for him, he supposably created me and he hasnt done anything.........i could go on and on about this but i really dont feel like it, u can believe what u want, i really dont care what u believe

[OGT from back in the day]

I'm a Christian, and I believe those stories literally, but even if I didn't, there are plenty of reasons why those stories would be told/incorportated into a religion.


those stories were not created to be interpreted litterally. what should be interpreted is the message that they try to get through. scriptures are allegorical texts( allegory: truth hidden behind a simple story. -Dante), as they are used to get transcendant messages to the masses, which otherwise would not be understood or experienced. the object of religion is to put man in touch with the divinity inside us, by any medium, be it bible or sacred representations. so the stories there told may not be litterally true, but used to transfer a holy message. religion is a fundamental aspect in mankind, as it symbolizes our will\struggle to touch the divinity in us.

it's not a matter of being christian or religious and taking the stories narrated for true, or being atheist and not believing to the stories you hear in the scriptures, but identifying ourselves or not in the virtues spoken of in the texts. I mean: 'love thy enemy' or 'forgive what has been done unto you'... who wouldn't appreciate these words?
just wondering......what do u make out of "thou shall not kill"? he doesnt say "thou shall not kill another human being" just "thou shall not kill" but in order for us to survive we must kill, we kill everyday, whether it is eating lobster, killing a bug, or something as small as a cell, we kill everyday, and yes our sins may be forgiven but those are a lot of sins everyday and if all of them could be forgiven then why do people end up in hell?.......just something to think about

[OGT from back in the day]

This song is completely and totally sarcastic, the song is meant to be heard as if a religious figure were singing it:and to be quite frank its true
"choices always were a problem for you, what you need is someone strong to guide you, you are broken but now faith will heal you, just do everything i tell you to do" This is just dripping with sarcasm

This has always been tools message, dont be a tool, think for yourself come to your own answers dont let someone else tell you how it is, go and find the truth for yourself.

As well I think I remember reading something about how he was abused by a pastor or something along those lines, which would make a lot of sense when you see all the negative views on religion.
thank you, thats exactly what i say

[the_boys_not_whole]

this guy is tearing up over something i said a while ago, i love it, and ya the reason i dont believe in god isnt because im pissed its because it doesnt make sense and also, i havent done anything for god but i didnt create god, if i created him i would have done something for him, he supposably created me and he hasnt done anything.........i could go on and on about this but i really dont feel like it, u can believe what u want, i really dont care what u believe
Well, I had to step in and say something about the stupidity you were spewing. You’re an imbecile. So, I realize you don't believe in God, but for the sake of argument; he gave you life and free will, so you're telling me you want free will to do whatever you want, even if it means not believing in him, and you still want him to do something for you? What do you want him to do? Really? Give you money? You’re selfish is what it comes down to. Do you want him to make sure your pathetic life is always happy and great? Well, again, free will comes into play. You’re responsible for your own goddamn decisions. Why don't you quit whining and own up to your own decisions.

[OGT from back in the day]

Well, I had to step in and say something about the stupidity you were spewing. You’re an imbecile. So, I realize you don't believe in God, but for the sake of argument; he gave you life and free will, so you're telling me you want free will to do whatever you want, even if it means not believing in him, and you still want him to do something for you? What do you want him to do? Really? Give you money? You’re selfish is what it comes down to. Do you want him to make sure your pathetic life is always happy and great? Well, again, free will comes into play. You’re responsible for your own goddamn decisions. Why don't you quit whining and own up to your own decisions.
i love how you say he gave me life and free will, you know this for a fact? did god personally tell you this?

[paraflux]

/closed

Stop going at each other like a bunch of suburban bitches.