Here is what I sent into NPGMC:

Dear NPGMC,

I would appreciate it if you would just focus on the music. I do not come to your club for religious/cult involvement. I have absolutely no interest in Prince's "religious" beliefs and have found his preaching at concerts to be somewhat offensive.

I joined this club for the love of the music, and I continue to see little music and lots of religion/cult pushing. If this continues to be your M.O., I will not be renewing my membership.

Funk

5. Many say that one’s own relationship with God is a “personal thing.” That being said, how would that work next 2: “A family that prays 2gether stays 2gether.”? Just how big is r human family?

Ask Abe Lincoln. Is he your brother? Do you forgive him?

12. What is the difference between AGREEMENT and HARMONY?

Agreement = An offer and an acceptance to recieve 4 CDs, suprise downloads and a 2002 world tour.

Harmony = You delivering it.

Your answers are too funny, SquirrelMeat! I hope Prince reads it unfiltered! He needs to know that a great deal of his fans feel the way you do!

Moonbeam said:

Well thank you me ole china! I try to please!

Here is what I sent into NPGMC:

Dear NPGMC,

I would appreciate it if you would just focus on the music. I do not come to your club for religious/cult involvement. I have absolutely no interest in Prince's "religious" beliefs and have found his preaching at concerts to be somewhat offensive.

I joined this club for the love of the music, and I continue to see little music and lots of religion/cult pushing. If this continues to be your M.O., I will not be renewing my membership.

Funk

Wonderfully worded replies, AzureStar!

Azurestar: There is no "right" religion, at least that I'm aware of.

Here are my replies. Please share yours as well!

1. Did u get a small case of “post-Celebration blues” when the event ended — and Y?

Indeed, I did acquire a case of post-Celebration blues and it was anything but small. In fact, as a member of prince.org, I posted in great length about the feeling. More than anything, my post-Celebration blues stemmed from the fact that I had met so many wonderful people and had experienced such wonderful music. I was openly and warmly accepted and loved by people who days before were strangers. My post-Celebration blues are also symptomatic of the fact that I will be headed 1,700 miles from home in less than a month as I enter graduate school for statistics. That said, the Celebration for me symbolized much more than a week of concerts. It symbolized a celebration of youth, closeness and togetherness that I only hope to continue to exude in graduate school.

2. Y do people of all backgrounds get along at Paisley Park, and not elsewhere?

It is misrepresentative to suggest that those present during the Celebration represent the backgrounds and interests of the world as a whole. The Celebration fee of $250, the location within the United States and the requirement of Internet access precludes the inclusion of a large constituency of people. Regardless, the fact that Prince has in large part promoted racial and socioeconomic unity and that those in attendance were there to see Prince indicates that most of them agree with his messages. That being said, most of the people present came to the Celebration with open minds and hearts.

3. In actuality, what r BORDERS? And y r they erased when the Funk drops?

Borders are phenomena that separate two distinct bodies, whether they be nations, social classes, or other classifications. In essence, their existence indicates the presence of differences. Borders are erased “when the funk drops” simply because the essence of borders lies in their separatist nature, but the music enjoyed at the Celebration was a shared experience.

4. The Celebration proved that people from various backgrounds can party 2gether — but will we ever b able 2 worship in Truth 2gether?

This depends on how “we” is defined. Given that fans of Prince are a diverse crowd, there are a multitude of differing backgrounds, belief systems, and ages represented. Given that everyone is on a unique spiritual path, distinguished by past experiences, present circumstances and future hopes, it is unlikely that all fans of Prince are in the same boat spiritually. Furthermore, the message of Christ clamored for INCLUSION rather than EXCLUSION and all those who are not of similar belief system to the one represented in the worship WILL FEEL EXCLUDED. Regardless, Prince may proceed as he feels is right to him, although organizing a time of worship, although it would not alienate me as a Christian, would inherently alienate those of different practices.

5. Many say that one’s own relationship with God is a “personal thing.” That being said, how would that work next 2: “A family that prays 2gether stays 2gether.”? Just how big is r human family?

I like to liken the dual nature of spirituality- individual and collective, to the dual role of cells in the body. Cells are individuals that carry on a number of processes within the realm of the cell. However, cells also serve a greater purpose in the context of the body. Similarly, people are each unique individuals with unique relationships with God. However, people also usually belong to a certain group or “family.” Families who pray together are unified both spiritually and emotionally. God’s ideal “church” includes billions of people coming together as one family. As far as the term “family,” it may in such a manner be extended from the biological standpoint. That being said, the human family is populated by every living human being.

6. 2 say “Amen” at the end of a prayer simply means that u agree with the prayer. If someone had closed the Celebration in prayer, would u have bowed ur head and simply made up ur own prayer in ur mind?

Personally, I would have felt perfectly comfortable with a prayer, being a Christian myself. I would have prayed for the safety and well-being of all those present.

7. What point is there 2 pray 2 different Gods if there is only one?

While this is debatable to many who hold polytheistic beliefs, I believe that there is only one God. One of the topics emphasized during the Celebration was the name of God. However, even Jesus referred to God with different names, so the semantics of determining His name are irrelevant to me. As many said, God is inside all of us. It is my belief that God has left his imprint in every living creature and has blessed us all with a unique set of gifts and abilities.

8. We hear talk of separation of God and State… State of What? Mind? R the efforts made by certain members of society 2 remove God from State a sign of progress or regress?

While I am happy to admit to being a Christian, I understand the need for everyone to feel included. Our nation was founded upon the principles of religious freedom by individuals who fled religious persecution. Regardless, our nation’s history indicates that the sentiment of freedom has not been shared by all residents (Salem witch trials, the equating of atheists and communists in the 1950s, etc.). Our country has never been united under a single God and although personally I would love it to be that way, the fact is that we must not deny the God-given right that every individual has to free will. Just as Adam and Eve were granted free will to eat the fruits of the Tree of Knowledge, we must comply with his wishes and grant citizens free will to religion, thus deeming separation of church and state necessary. Forcing citizens to revere Christianity as their own religion would be a REGRESSION and would indicate that we have not learned anything from the reprehensible subjection of the Natives of Mexico and the rest of Latin America to the Catholicism imposed upon them by the Spanish conquistadors. FORCING INDIVIDUALS TO CONFORM TO ANY SET OF BELIEFS IS AGAINST GOD’S WILL. As a Christian (follower of Christ), I am called to lead by EXAMPLE, not by force. Certainly, I may be used as an instrument of God to teach (by example) the benefits of a Christian lifestyle. However, intervening with God’s plan by imposing a set of beliefs on someone is only a DETERRENT. The seeds of Christianity are watered by the Gospel, but planted by example.

9. Y have all of mankind’s attempts at creating UTOPIA 4 itself failed so far?

All of mankind’s attempts at creating Utopia have been exclusionary by nature and consequently contradict the very nature of a Utopian state. In a truly Utopian place (Heaven), NO ONE is excluded and ALL are CONCURRENTLY following the same path. The only successful attempt to create Utopia will be manifested by the Second Coming of Christ, and it is written that no man knows the hour of his arrival. Subsequently, I believe that the focus of the desire to improve the world inherent in attempts to create Utopia should be directed to good works, such as non-evangelical mission trips whereby the example of Christ is made apparent.

10. How can r society eliminate XENOPHOBIA?

Our society can eliminate Xenophobia by educating its people to not hold fear. Hatred and fear are learned characteristics and can be traced to the family model. Moreover, the plight of xenophobia is fortified by the very nature of our society. The United States was founded upon the principles of individualism, which quickly morphed into capitalism and other types of stratification. In essence, the various strata have been defined by those in power, and unwilling to relinquish this power, legislature was enacted to further stratify society by restricting women, blacks, Native Americans and immigrants. The stratification also yielded a lack of contact between various social groups. This lack of contact only led to a sense of familiarity and transformed into fear. Seeking the things we have in common rather than the things that separate us will result in a greater sense of familiarity and community. A revolution of the very principles upon which American society is founded is necessary to eliminate xenophobia, but it is a course of action that all Christians should deem necessary. Christ gave numerous examples of the holiness of sacrifice and as we are to emulate him, we should make efforts to sacrifice our own advantages in order to bridge the gap between the desperate and the comfortable.

11. 7 days of music, peace, and love — and then back 2 the “real world”… How real is the “real world”?

The world is VERY real. Pain, suffering, and woe are ubiquitous in society. However, what is deemed as the “real world” could benefit greatly from the sense of community and togetherness that was omnipresent at the Celebration.

12. What is the difference between AGREEMENT and HARMONY?

The difference between agreement and harmony lies in the fact that agreement implies sharing a similar viewpoint whereas harmony implies exuding a sense of togetherness and community. It IS possible for harmony to exist between groups of people who disagree. A Muslim and a Shinto are not going to fully agree about spirituality, but they still are capable of coming together to do good, by building homes for the homeless, for example. In my opinion, God should be the one concerned with achieving agreement among his people, whereas people should focus on achieving harmony, coming together for the common good of everyone.

Moonbeam,
Your post was probably one of the best posts I've read since coming to the org. Your answers were so on point (especially ques 8) and you inspired me to really live for God even more. Thanks.

You've left me stunned yet again, Darin. I love you so much, it hurts right now. You are too beautiful for words.