Although I acknowledge we make a great deal of fun of Prince sometimes for his religious rants, his new found Orthodoxed (if it can be called that) religious beliefs, etc. most of it is done in jest.

The fact is that we, or at least I, don't HATE the religious Prince. Nor do I dislike the fact that he's so bold about expressing his views.

What I do dislike though, is being preached to. There's a strong difference between proclaiming and witnessing your religious beliefs, and lecturing the crowd about it.

On LoveSexy, he allowed us to witness his religious "Rebirth" in songs like AnnaStesia, "I Know", and several other songs. The only one that got close to "preachy" though was "Positivity", which still had an overall positive message. Even the Ominous "Dance On" came off more as a protest song than a lecturing religious diatribe.


So anyways, I could go on and on, but basically, I think when we get classified as "haters of the religious Prince" it's not accurate--most of us just don't want to get lectured to. We have our own beliefs we're quite content with.


Though, I'm still gonna make fun of dumbass lines like "23 scriptures and a one night stand "

you fucking LIE


LIAR

I HATE JW becuase if you follow that it means your homophobic and sexist. I hate all religions.

Some of the stuff Prince was saying a few years ago was disgusting.
Forget religion; concentrate on mankind.

Or @ least CDs should carry warning labels about the preaching aspect 4 those of us caught unawares
Instrumental Prince...N.E.W.S was great!

I don't hate it either. I wouldn't be here if I did.

What I often wonder about is the influx of religion onto this site after Prince got so overboard with it. How many people "got deep" just to emulate Prince? Be honest now, God is watching from what I hear.

this thread sux

i don't even mind the preaching, he's using his fame for what he believes is a productive purpose. good for him. i just hate when he makes people repeat JW stuff in concerts, like "can y'all say THEOCRATIC ORDER?!?"

well no, prince. no, i can't.

but whatever. i hate audience participation anyway.

Anxiety said:

dude, you like Prince way way too much.

Imago said:

did i say i hated audience participation? i meant to say i hate imago's threads. i always confuse the two because i always feel the same kinds of obligation and dread!

Anxiety said:

When I went to to the 2002 Celebration, I hated - hated - the feeling of being preached to on the final night. All week, it had pretty much been a party atmosphere; the final night, he was really 'on', let me tell you. It *almost* ruined what was a perfect week for me.

Obviously, I am very happy for P to follow whatever path he likes but when it goes into that territory... the path we take is for us to decide, not him.

Anxiety said:

Yeah, it's not quite as catchy as 'Aaaaaaooowah' is it??

onenitealone said:

Very well said Alun.

Of course you're hot so I support ALL your posts anyways.

Number23 said:

Hey boo!

Imago said:

C'mere...

Imago said:

brown lipstick time again

Anxiety said:

why when somebody talks about their religion you call it preachy?

people are exprssing a viewpoint just like you! If christians aren't saying, "beleive in me or else..." then what's the beef???

I'm offended by what you say sometimes, but i have to roll it off or be willing to fight so, I'm saying, calm the f ck down!

myfavorite said:

obviously you didn't read anything on this thread.

Imago said:

you can't blame them, really.

Anxiety said:

I guess I can't but it just gets kind of creepy knowing there are folks out there like that poster. C-r-e-e-p-y.


Of course it could be worse. I could be dealing with MJ fans who show up to his court trials.

Mars23 said:

You can pretty much tell the ones who emulate him.

I loved his "I don't have fans--I have FAMS phase." Folks got all on board with that shit.

Imago said:

There is no difference... The only difference is in the "hearer"; where they are in life, what their tolerance level is, and whether or not the message resonates with them. If someone is offended or threatened by a religious message, then the person views the deliverer as "preaching". If they are comfortable with what they hear, or do not take offense, then that person is "sharing their beliefs".

Two people can come to two completely different views on the same message. The message or delivery has not changed; just the reaction.

jpav said:

"I believe we can all be saved through Jesus."

"You are going to hell if you don't believe as I do."

See a difference?

jpav said:

I kinda' think there's a difference between reading/learning about religion/faith on your terms vs. being told how to see it.


personally, i wouldn't mind to much if he was preachy at a concert, as long as what he's saying isn't out of hate.

Mars23 said:

Actually the latter of these statements (also known as the "turn or burn" concept;), while not to my liking AT ALL, has caused millions to turn to Jesus. (Just ask Televangelists). So for those who heard that particular message, it was the right one.
Personally I think Prince has ALWAYS been very overt with his beliefs and most fans never cared until the message got more specific and then it became objectionable to some. Many would see Prince's words (the same exact words) as "preaching", while others see it as "sharing". You tell me how that happens.

Again... the hearer determines the appopriateness.

happyhappy said:[quote]

jpav said:

So, the first question is, how do you determine the heart of the message-giver; whether their motives are pure or not? (Again, it usually stems from your view of religion, or more sepcivially, the beliefs in question).
I think 90 percent of expressed-religious beliefs; while they can be called insensitive, misguided, or poorly-conceived, usually aren't preached out of hate, but out of the feeling that they are "right". (Two different things). Again, this can be wrong, but doesn't mean it's hateful

jpav said:

Oh yes there is.


I can say that I am a Buddhist because I believe in the Dharma and it's been very inspirational in my life.

Or I can say, "All the non Buddhist stand over there. All the Buddhist stand over on this side of the room. Now those of you on THAT side of the room--yall coming back as cockroaches. "


The listener interpreting the material within his own tolerance thresholds always exists, but does not negate the speaker's intentions or motivations behind what he says.

Again, the primary point of my thread is that those of us branded as hating Prince's religious belief don't actually hate it. We just don't care for the preaching.

Imago said:

jpav said:[quote]

happyhappy said:

Oh I understand, and I know it's hard to determine. I usually tune out of any preaching if it's message is some sort of religious based oppression (however i'm assuming that in it'self is debateable). I guess I just believe if one's gonna' preach something, it should be peaceful and constructive and not destructive.
(i've never seen prince live tho, so i don't really know what he's says outside what i've read here)
[Edited 6/21/07 10:21am]