I think it's not my concern.

I agree. He was more spiritual in his earlier work. But since he has associated himself with a denominational religion, he is now more religious.
The thing about denominations is all of them have some parts right. But that also means all of them have some parts wrong.

Personally, I think spiritualism is more appealing to masses than religism (is that a word?? )

I think "The Word" is more spiritual than religious. He is not actually pushing a religious theme other than lets go find the word.

he left the jw's already got bored! yes he is spiritual, like me!

I find his music, especially in the 80s, to be spiritual, which appealed to me, and one of the reasons that attracted me to his music, but since he joined the JW, he's become religious instead, dogmatic even.. What do you think?

I find his music, especially in the 80s, to be spiritual, which appealed to me, and one of the reasons that attracted me to his music, but since he joined the JW, he's become religious instead, dogmatic even.. What do you think?

I agree. He was more spiritual in his earlier work.

that's bollocks. What does it mean to be "spiritual"? Some of you prince fans think it means "believe whatever you want" and "let others believe whatever they want"...just believing there's something out there isn't really spiritual is it?

True spirituality is trying to find out what God wants and maybe there's a way...it's too easy to say 'everybody's wrong" or "right"

Prince's music has always been Religious rather than merely 'spiritual'.
(In the strict sense of the terms) It's just the lyrics didn't used to be
quite as overt back in the day.

I find his music, especially in the 80s, to be spiritual, which appealed to me, and one of the reasons that attracted me to his music, but since he joined the JW, he's become religious instead, dogmatic even.. What do you think?

Anna Stesia - "God is love, Love is God" could apply to any religion. God could be interpeted as Jehovah, God of Abraham (Christian and Jewish) Allah, etc.

BorisFishpaw said:

When I think of religion... I think more of Communion and Lent, if you are Catholic, the Koran and fasting etc, if you are Muslim, forbidden to celebrate holidays, not accepting blood transfusions if you are JW, etc.

All of these religious rituals are done (imho)in order to make penance for being human (of the flesh) and/or sacrifice in order to please God, earn forgiveness/salvation or something like that.

Anna Stesia - "God is love, Love is God" could apply to any religion. God could be interpeted as Jehovah, God of Abraham (Christian and Jewish) Allah, etc.

With the exception of the Lord's Prayer, that was taken from the Christian King James bible, most of Prince's earlier music could have applied to many religions.

Now his music is geared more biblical... and to me refers to Old Testament. Several religions also share the Old Testament as historical text, but there are many other religions that are excluded.
This seems to be different than before.
[Edited 4/15/06 18:34pm]

prodigalfan said:

'Religion' may have particular associations with it which influence peoples
personal perception of what constitutes a 'religious' song or a 'spiritual'
one. But in Prince's case, it's quite clear that his music has always been
completely grounded in Christianity (which is a 'Religion' regardless of
sect) and therefore his 'spiritual' music has always been 'religious' in
nature.

You could 'interpret' some tracks as not representing a particular religion
due to them not apparently being specific, but you're just kidding yourself.
Prince has always had a 100% Christian view on faith and God.

Here's some examples to illustrate what I mean...

Since you quote Anna Stesia, I'll start there. Yes he says "God is love, love
is God. Girls and boys love God above" which is fairly non-specific. But in the
same song he also says "Save me Jesus, I've been a fool. How could I
forget that U are the rule. U are my God, I am your child...". Only
one religion recognises Jesus (and calls him 'God', or endorses prayers of
forgiveness to)... and that's Christianity.

Also, see 'I Would Die 4 U'. Another clearly Christian song. With
each verse sung from the perspective of a different member of the holy
trinity, and as a whole basically conveyed from Jesus'/God's point of view.
(there's no way you can interpret this from the perspective of any other faith)

'The Cross'... speaks for itself. No room for multi-faith interpretation there.
100% Christian all the way.

Thunder namechecks Jesus, again, only one religion in question here.
And the list goes on...

'Controversy' was the first time Prince had mentioned faith/God/spirituality,
(up until then all his released songs had been about love, sex and relationships)
and of course he recites the Lord's Prayer in that one (can't get much more
specifically Christian than that!).
[Edited 4/16/06 4:32am]

HomeSquid said:>Spirituality IS God.

>Not true. You are making a god out of a concept. It would be more reasonable, if you believe God is a person, to say God is spirituality, yes?<




I'm not assuming anything. If God is a person a statement like "spirituality is God" is anthromorphic. God is a person and true "spirituality" is that which coincides with is will. YOUR and MY opinions about what his will is are worthless. So your comments about religion have no weight. Perhaps there is a correct religion but you merely choose not to conform to it...you may be resisting God's spirit if this is the case




If there's a God only he/she can decide what is right and wrong, good and evil (Jer. 10:23). Thus you are acknowledging there IS a moral Law set by God so YOUR opinion about religion and spirituality may be wrong

>If there's no laws than how can you decide what is "good" and "bad". If it's all up to our own opinions than the terrorists who killed thousands in New York were doing "good"..to them. How can you say differently if there's no authority on what is "good" or "evil"?<

You ask who decides what is right or wrong from the terrorists/ 9/11. If you ask me, my response is they are evil, and I would quote Jesus "By their fruits you shall know them." I consider blowing up people who has not physically harmed you in any way as evil. But if you follow fanatical Muslim (a sector within a recognized religion not unlike fanatical Christianity), you might say that what the terrorist did was justified. See? It is YOUR perspective and experience that changes your view on what is good and evil. But what you and I consider what is evil may not be what God considers evil. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death

The point I was trying to make is that there has to be a Law Giver if there are to be Laws. We cannot decide what is "spiritual" and what is not. I agree with what you are saying but I find fault with your opinions. How many religions was jesus preaching? One. One Faith One Lord One baptism. It was a RELIGION. Christianity and there are obligations that go along with it. A person cannot be "spiritual" in the true sense unless he does God's will.

>and as far as "what God wants"... God wants back what was His to begin with, >His children... why??? because it is His SPIRIT that dwells in those who are >His children.

>>What proof do you have to back up this assertion? Is it just your opinion or feeling?<<
"Matthew 18:11
For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost." That means Jesus came back to recover that what was already lost.

Yes, it's a religion. Christianity. You're either in the right religion or you are not. Maybe prince is or maybe he is not. He is MORE spiritual now than he ever was because he's not forging his own self-serving ideas about God...that's fleshly not spiritual.

the Word...do you mean the Bible? Maybe you should read the account at Acts 8:25-36

I read passage. You didn't read the entire passage... only the parts that suited you. Actually Phillip was introducing that man to the Holy Spirit... after the man received the Holy Spirit thru baptism in verse 38, Philip is taken up onto something else. The man is then on his way rejoicing. Philip (as the role of a pastor) was no longer needed, the Holy Spirit was his guide.

I DON't want him PREACHING or TRYING 2 CONVERT ME. SEPERATION of CHURCH and STATE. A CONCERT is NO PLACE 4 CONVERSION and I DON't WANT SADDNESS and GUILT in SONGS! It's SUPPOSE 2 B about HAPPINESS. It has been about SORROW and LOSS with PRINCE BUT NOW it is HAPPY PARTY AGAIN. If a PERSON SITUATION UPSETS him I MUCH RATHER him NOT PREACH or WRITE a SONG about it as I would MUCH RATHER him go to a PSYCHIATRIST! I will NEVER WANT to ANALYZE or feel SAD. I wanna feel HAPPY listening 2 MUSIC! Thank U PRINCE! GIVE us PARTY HAPPY MUSIC NOT MIND DRAMA! I DON"T WANNA HEAR that! I wanna ESCAPE and have FUN!!!!!

prodigalfan said:

The point is that God used a man to deliver the message- and the eunich was baptized into a RELIGION. The account shows that the Eunich needed someone to guide him and yes ultimately it was God's spirit but you notice the spirit did NOT come to the Eunich without Phillip and you cannot get the spirit unless you do what God wills.

I DON't want him PREACHING or TRYING 2 CONVERT ME. SEPERATION of CHURCH and STATE. A CONCERT is NO PLACE 4 CONVERSION and I DON't WANT SADDNESS and GUILT in SONGS! It's SUPPOSE 2 B about HAPPINESS. It has been about SORROW and LOSS with PRINCE BUT NOW it is HAPPY PARTY AGAIN. If a PERSON SITUATION UPSETS him I MUCH RATHER him NOT PREACH or WRITE a SONG about it as I would MUCH RATHER him go to a PSYCHIATRIST! I will NEVER WANT to ANALYZE or feel SAD. I wanna feel HAPPY listening 2 MUSIC! Thank U PRINCE! GIVE us PARTY HAPPY MUSIC NOT MIND DRAMA! I DON"T WANNA HEAR that! I wanna ESCAPE and have FUN!!!!!

Also, see 'I Would Die 4 U'. Another clearly Christian song. With
each verse sung from the perspective of a different member of the holy
trinity, and as a whole basically conveyed from Jesus'/God's point of view.
(there's no way you can interpret this from the perspective of any other faith)

BorisFishpaw said:

which verse to which part?