Would you devout christians, muslims, etc. still listen to Prince if you found out that he was actually an atheist? Nothing would change about his music at all, other than that he would not talk about god any longer... and he would also never address the topic in his songs. The only thing is that you would KNOW that he was an atheist...

Would you still dig his music?

...
[This message was edited Tue Jul 23 19:43:41 PDT 2002 by IceNine]

IceNine said:

Except that the opposite of NATO would be NOTHING.

IceNine said:

Great post, Ice!

I would...I really don't care what he practices or follows...

From an orgnote that I received from Housequake2K2:

I wanted to post on the thread but my browser won't let me. I would still listen to Prince if he were an atheist. I've been a JW for 17 years and listened to his music most of the time, including his raunchy stuff...so him being an atheist wouldn't bother me. Otherwise it would hurt me in some strange way to send this communicae to you. Could you post that I would listen to his music till I get my browser working right? Thanx

My music collection is quite extensive. There may very well be some artist who are atheist. I wouldn't know if it weren't brought out in their music. I would guess that 99.9% of my music collection is by artist who are not Jehovah's Witnesses, and I am a dedicated Witness for Jehovah and I must admit that I still love to hear Randy Rhodes guitar work on "Blizzard of Oz" and we all know what the song "Mr. Crowley" is about. Some of us listen to music for just that 'the music'. Now if an artist has lyrics of a debauch nature, why surely a christian would not want to feed his or her mind on those thoughts. But I for one will always demand that my favorite music must be FUNKY and LOUD!

jw1914 said:

Randy Rhodes rocked! I play my "Tribute" album quite frequently.

Well it wouldnt affect his music so I would still listen to him. JW didnt really affect his music that much

I would still definitely listen to Prince. Personally, many of my favorite songs of his are very spiritual in nature, so I would be missing out on all of their glory, but he is a multi-dimensional artist and has moved me on more than simply the spiritual plane.

Yeah... what if Prince would release...

Gawd by Prince and the Evolutions

featuring...

Camus Waiting
Two Songs (at least...)
Gawd! (instrumental)
The Answer on U
Still won't wait all time
Elements and powers
The Crossed
[This message was edited Tue Jul 23 19:10:29 PDT 2002 by Aerogram]

It'd be a sad thing if we based our spirituality on Prince's journey, wouldn't it? Though, I'm aware that people are greatly influenced and affected by it. We should be careful not to look to man for our answers.

I'm still surprised anyone gives a shit either way, actually...I don't know what Stevie Wonder practiced or believed in, although I'm sure he voiced it numerous times...same with Sly...same with Kajagoogoo..heh...music is music...it's how it effects me that I find important, now how the person who made it practices his beliefs or even if he has any...

The music wouldn't be the same; yes there'd be some hits, but not the longevity and stamina he's shown. He'd lack the vision and soul in his music. He knows there's something beyond the painful human condition in this world. He's focused on a higher place, an ascension beyond his music bounded up in faith, hope, and love knowing God.

Atheists have no such hope from my experience.

yes.

although i think the themes of his music would be drastically different...

Yes, of course! I'm not religious at all.

wellbeyond said:

Yep.
Art is art. George Carlin doesn't believe in God ... still respect his skill to tell it like it is through comedy. PEACE
[This message was edited Tue Jul 23 23:07:22 PDT 2002 by aspera773]

IceNine said:

damn straight i would.

I'd still listen to his music if he said he was gonna get some fake titties and start cross dressing.

Christopher said:

Oh, my.

I'm trying to understand the Q: if P suddenly became an athiest? Or if he'd always been one?

If he'd always been one, his catalogue wouldn't be what it is (obviously). He wouldn't be inspired by the same things, the sound would be different (I imagine). Would he have been open about his beliefs (or lack of)??



If he suddenly became one, I'd think he was nuts first of all. Would I still listen? Don't know - people who have no belief in God freak me out (yes, some of you freak me out - LOL!).

Maybe it shouldn't make a difference but when I KNOW someone is an athiest, I don't wanna fuck with them. This can be a classmate, a person at work - whoever. I just think it's creepy.

It's like finding out someone is a psychic - I'd steer SO clear of them. We're not meant to know everything that's gonna happen to us & people who dabble w/ that just unnerve me. It's a lack of faith...

It depends on the music. But I would try to get him to BELIEVE. Since I am Religious.

CalhounSq said:

I like Prince's music because it has always been based on the things such as : God, love, sex...all the good stuff that he liked to talk about in his lyrics. I dont really know if I would still listen to his music or if I would have ever started listening to his music if he didnt include God in those that he had made.


I never imagined seeing him on the other side of the mirror...that would be to strange of a flip for me to deal with. I like Prince, how he is now and has been.

God is very much a part of my life and my faith draws me near and close to that which makes me love Him more. I love listening to music that makes me think positive things about God and life and happy people...about love. I never knew I could get that from listening to Prince's music, but I did and I love that! I dont dig atheism, I cant invision a life without God. God is

Thanks for listening.

, and God Bless!

It would b the same 4 me...Usually i listen 2 the music of an artist, not what he/she is believing. 4 example i dont stand who become satanist only becuz Marilyn Manson is...Its absurd!

Nothing would change about his music? For me, one of the defining characteristics of his music has been his ability to often explore issues of spirtuality and sexuality all at once. Take away the spiritualiy it's not really Prince anymore.

That said, the religious beliefs of most artists I listen to doesn't concern me, so prince as an atheist probably wouldn't either. But it would be very different.

Universaluv said:

What I meant was the MUSIC, not the lyrics to the songs... he would still play the funk, rock and R&B but he wouldn't talk about god at all and would not play the old religious songs again.

He would play all of the songs that did not pertain to god and would never write another religious song.

IceNine said:

Yeah I understand, but I don't usually separate the lyrics from the music so cleanly. Stupid a*s lyrics have ruined many a great beat for me. So such a shift lyrically would make a difference to me. Doesn't mean it wouldn't necessarily be worth listening to, but it would be different.

And yes, I know that to some extent he's done the inverse of what you are proposing with his music recently. It's different, but IMO still worth listening too.

Of course WTF do I know, I could be wrong...

obligatoryeditstatementgoeshere:
[This message was edited Wed Jul 24 12:27:12 PDT 2002 by Universaluv]

I would still listen.


Peace,

JD

I don't know if I would still listen. considering that his explanation of Let's Go Crazy on the Chris Rock interview was that the songs conotation was to not let the devil break you down, if he was an atheist that would mean that the song was only about a malfunctioning elevator...and that's just too weird.

not to mention the ladder. maybe carpenters would be able to relate to it if it was meant to be taken literally, without it's spiritual or religious connotations, but some nitwit wondering around looking for his ladder that he misplaced would be a lame as song.

LoL@dumbass...

...or should I say with dumbass...

dumbass said:

While what you said is quite humorous, I must mention that he would not play those songs any longer due to his new-found disbelief...

:LOL:

He could still break out TONS of songs... just not the religious ones...

Here's a thought: If Prince was an athiest...and stopped performing his spiritual and God-themed songs...would it bother you as much as the thought of him no longer performing his sex-and-profanity themed songs??