Tremolina said:

toejam said:

Yeah. It seems Prince has some sort of "spiritual rebirth" every few years ... Purple Rain (cleansing himself from his 'Dirty Mind' period), Lovesexy, the whole 'name change' thing, the Egyptian/reincarnation thing with Mayte in the mid/late 90s, then the JW thing... He's probably due for another one now that I think about it . Wonder what it will be next?

I don't see how PR, Lovesexy or the 'thing with mayte' or the JW have anything to do with the spiritual death of Prince and rebirth of . So your point, other than showing me how much you can laugh and talk down on Prince and (his) religion, I don't see.

Toejam will ultimately have to explain himherself

But it reads to me that they are saying

the Purple Rain era was a spiritual cleansing of the Dirty Mind period (I don't agree with that one)

the "spiritual rebirth" from the 'Black album 2 Lovesexy'

the name change in some opinions was some kind of 'rebirth' Come era "Prince is Dead"

not familiar with the 'egyptian/reincarnation-Mayte thing.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Tremolina said:

I don't see how PR, Lovesexy or the 'thing with mayte' or the JW have anything to do with the spiritual death of Prince and rebirth of . So your point, other than showing me how much you can laugh and talk down on Prince and (his) religion, I don't see.

Toejam will ultimately have to explain himherself

But it reads to me that they are saying

the Purple Rain era was a spiritual cleansing of the Dirty Mind period (I don't agree with that one)

the "spiritual rebirth" from the 'Black album 2 Lovesexy'

the name change in some opinions was some kind of 'rebirth' Come era "Prince is Dead"

not familiar with the 'egyptian/reincarnation-Mayte thing.

^Yeah, that's pretty much it. The 'Egyptian/reincarnation' thing is probably the weakest one, but it's in reference to the Emancipation era when we was talking about his belief that he and Mayte were lovers in a previous life, Emancipation was the "album he was born to make" etc... all that mumbo jumbo. Just before he met Larry.

But anyway, my point is just that Prince seems to be the kind of character who goes through these "rebirths" on a fairly regular basis. How many of them are legitimate rebirths, and how many are just part of the "act" (for promoting albums etc.) I guess only he knows.

.

[Edited 1/27/12 16:33pm]

toejam said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Toejam will ultimately have to explain himherself

But it reads to me that they are saying

the Purple Rain era was a spiritual cleansing of the Dirty Mind period (I don't agree with that one)

the "spiritual rebirth" from the 'Black album 2 Lovesexy'

the name change in some opinions was some kind of 'rebirth' Come era "Prince is Dead"

not familiar with the 'egyptian/reincarnation-Mayte thing.

^Yeah, that's pretty much it. The 'Egyptian/reincarnation' thing is probably the weakest one, but it's in reference to the Emancipation era when we was talking about his belief that he and Mayte were lovers in a previous life, Emancipation was the "album he was born to make" etc... all that mumbo jumbo. Just before he met Larry.

But anyway, my point is just that Prince seems to be the kind of character who goes through these "rebirths" on a fairly regular basis. How many of them are legitimate rebirths, and how many are just part of the "act" (for promoting albums etc.) I guess only he knows.

.

[Edited 1/27/12 16:33pm]

I don't know how serious Toejam is, but the thematic line first asserted by Toejam and clarified by OldFriends4Sale is spot on as far as Prince's thematic/religious periods or movements. Along with what you both have said, Prince has always seemed to be the type of artist who needs a concept or a movement for the music to be real or valid or inspiring to him. Not since the second album, Prince, has Prince been content to release an album of non-connected songs. Almost every album must be a "concept" album or a mantra announcing a new direction. So, yeah, what y'all have presented seems pretty spot on if we are charting Prince's lyrical thematic/religious periods or movements.

1725topp said:

Tremolina said:

I agree with both and can see where both are coming from actually.

Like I argued myself, throughout his entire carreer, Prince has always been "Christian minded". In time it changed in its form, expression and direction, but it has always been there.

But changes did happen in Prince's spirituality. At one point a revolution and a rebirth even, ever since "the dawning of a new spiritual revolution" that was 'Come' and 'Gold'.

In my mind and experience at least, you can feel that "revolting spirit" in his music since. It's different. And with that I do not just mean the ultimate change to JW. It's also the sound and the lyrical direction and what inspired those different sounds and lyrics before and after that in many ways.

[Edited 1/26/12 13:35pm]

First, Skywalker, it is good to cross your path. It has been a while. I like a great deal of your posts. I agree with you and Tremolina, especially how Tremolina opened the thread by specifically showing that Prince has always had these notions. Nice thread and nice conversation.

^^ I have to say, this has been an interesting thread to read because participants have been able to keep it pretty civil and on topic, and not get nasty w/ personal attacks. Well done, orgers!

^^^thanks guys. I knew we could all do it.

I like the Prince of now. It shows maturity, a man of inner strength and self belief.

artist76 said:

^^ I have to say, this has been an interesting thread to read because participants have been able to keep it pretty civil and on topic, and not get nasty w/ personal attacks. Well done, orgers!

I agree. It's fun when we can all be so different and like Prince for so many different reasons but be civil in our disagreements. Prince means a great deal of a lot of us for a variety of reasons. That's why we all continue to return to this cite. I love how much information I learn daily and how someone can help me understand something that I may not have considered. Yet, because our love and respect for Prince's music/messages are so personal to so many of us, we can become overly emotional. Yet, we have shown that we can be civil, learn from each other when we can, and agree to disagree.

yup i tend to offer the not so popular opinion and then get told i shouldn't even post here .. so it's nice to have an actual discussion with differing opinions on this board for a change .. thanks for that christian minded posters

Tremolina said:

Contrary to what some believe, Prince has always shared the Christian message through his music. Obviously the man is huge believer himself and not just because he is a JW or because of all the 'love God' and 'all thanks and love to God' credits on his albums.

His faith has always been present in his music but this started to show very clearly with the Lord's prayer on Controversy, the apocalyptic theme of 1999, the preacher's sermon on Let's Go Crazy and the divine sacrifice of I Would Die 4 U. Two of his most succesful albums.

Followed up by the hopeful message of the Ladder, the road of the sinner on Temptation, the state of mankind on Sign of the Times and its suffering on the Cross.

Of course the entire LoveSexy album is littered with Christian references about the love and grace of God. Even Batman was subjected to it, thanks to the good vs evil theme of the movie.

But Prince also was ofen less blatant about his faith, for example with the backmasked message on Darling Nikki, or with lines such as "But I say it's only mountains and the sea
Love will conquer if u just believe" and "I often dream of heaven and I know that's Tracy there" on Sometimes it snows in April. Or "And we try to imagine what silence looks like" on If I was your Girlfriend. Or much of the Graffiti Bridge album.

One of the most interesting things for many fans about 'Christianity' in Prince's music is his battling between his love for God, women and temptation, sexual temptation specifically. Or his love for fame and money. The way he has tried to reconcile his love for God with his 'natural urges' is sometimes most intruiging.

Prince drove this theme up all the way untill 'Come', which he ended with the orgasm of his one time lover, that was recorded more than a decade before, not long before the 'Second Coming' of Controversy saw the light of day.

'Come' symbolised 'the death of Prince' and the Gold Experience the re-birth of . This wasn't just about a business dispute. And the latter wasn't all of a sudden a changed man. It was not like P was all of a sudden not 'dirty' anymore. But in hindsight 'Come' was indeed 'the dawning of a new spiritual revolution'.

It didn't take many years after Prince's emancipation that his spiritual direction and lyrical content also changed. Some would say that Prince grew up or others that the JW eventually got to him. But one could also say that a man never loses his sexual urges, nor his urge to love God. He may only learn how to deal with the both of them differently.

I think that is obviously happened. Sex after all is still present in Prince's music, but in a different way and just not as much as it used to be. His faith has grown too and so has his message about it. One could disagree with the direction it has taken, but that's up to him. What's most important is that it's good for him.

The downside of this naturally is, that many fans may not be willing or able to follow any longer. However, fans also grow older and the last 10 years have shown that Prince still has enough. He can still manage fine. Even when all his business and marriages end up in a mess, Prince is still going.

Whether that is thanks to his belief in God one could disagree on, but something tells me that for Prince himself this wouldnt be debate at all. After all, God has always been there in his music and he has always thanked him first and foremost.

[Edited 1/10/12 5:13am]

I enjoyed reading this and am interested in reading part 2, esp from where you leave of music wise. there's the rainbow children and lotus as well...3121

Praxis said:

Tremolina said:

Contrary to what some believe, Prince has always shared the Christian message through his music. Obviously the man is huge believer himself and not just because he is a JW or because of all the 'love God' and 'all thanks and love to God' credits on his albums.

His faith has always been present in his music but this started to show very clearly with the Lord's prayer on Controversy, the apocalyptic theme of 1999, the preacher's sermon on Let's Go Crazy and the divine sacrifice of I Would Die 4 U. Two of his most succesful albums.

Followed up by the hopeful message of the Ladder, the road of the sinner on Temptation, the state of mankind on Sign of the Times and its suffering on the Cross.

Of course the entire LoveSexy album is littered with Christian references about the love and grace of God. Even Batman was subjected to it, thanks to the good vs evil theme of the movie.

But Prince also was ofen less blatant about his faith, for example with the backmasked message on Darling Nikki, or with lines such as "But I say it's only mountains and the sea
Love will conquer if u just believe" and "I often dream of heaven and I know that's Tracy there" on Sometimes it snows in April. Or "And we try to imagine what silence looks like" on If I was your Girlfriend. Or much of the Graffiti Bridge album.

One of the most interesting things for many fans about 'Christianity' in Prince's music is his battling between his love for God, women and temptation, sexual temptation specifically. Or his love for fame and money. The way he has tried to reconcile his love for God with his 'natural urges' is sometimes most intruiging.

Prince drove this theme up all the way untill 'Come', which he ended with the orgasm of his one time lover, that was recorded more than a decade before, not long before the 'Second Coming' of Controversy saw the light of day.

'Come' symbolised 'the death of Prince' and the Gold Experience the re-birth of . This wasn't just about a business dispute. And the latter wasn't all of a sudden a changed man. It was not like P was all of a sudden not 'dirty' anymore. But in hindsight 'Come' was indeed 'the dawning of a new spiritual revolution'.

It didn't take many years after Prince's emancipation that his spiritual direction and lyrical content also changed. Some would say that Prince grew up or others that the JW eventually got to him. But one could also say that a man never loses his sexual urges, nor his urge to love God. He may only learn how to deal with the both of them differently.

I think that is obviously happened. Sex after all is still present in Prince's music, but in a different way and just not as much as it used to be. His faith has grown too and so has his message about it. One could disagree with the direction it has taken, but that's up to him. What's most important is that it's good for him.

The downside of this naturally is, that many fans may not be willing or able to follow any longer. However, fans also grow older and the last 10 years have shown that Prince still has enough. He can still manage fine. Even when all his business and marriages end up in a mess, Prince is still going.

Whether that is thanks to his belief in God one could disagree on, but something tells me that for Prince himself this wouldnt be debate at all. After all, God has always been there in his music and he has always thanked him first and foremost.

[Edited 1/10/12 5:13am]

I enjoyed reading this and am interested in reading part 2, esp from where you leave of music wise. there's the rainbow children and lotus as well...3121

Thank you. I actually felt short of saying a lot about TRC and the last decade, because I expected it would then have probably led the thread to yet another JW argument.

Tho' I believe that my argument that Prince has always been Christian minded is valid for this period of time too, I actually feel that he has become less like that in his music.

You can hear it in his lyrics on the albums that came after TRC I feel. God and other spiritual themes seems less prominent than before and there seem to be more lyrics focusing on more superficial stuff, like making love on the couch, working a black sweat or how great or rich he is. Parts of the Lotusflower album and Planet earth are notable exceptions (and maybe some of his better work).

I think this is partly because of the backlash he received after TRC, partly because as the way he is and remains to be, he can't really live up to being a true JW.

[Edited 1/29/12 13:50pm]

Tremolina said:

Praxis said:

I enjoyed reading this and am interested in reading part 2, esp from where you leave of music wise. there's the rainbow children and lotus as well...3121

Thank you. I actually felt short of saying a lot about TRC and the last decade, because I expected it would then have probably led the thread to yet another JW argument.

Tho' I believe that my argument that Prince has always been Christian minded is valid for this period of time too, I actually feel that he has become less like that in his music.

You can hear it in his lyrics on the albums that came after TRC I feel. God and other spiritual themes seems less prominent than before and there seem to be more lyrics focusing on more superficial stuff, like making love on the couch, working a black sweat or how great or rich he is. Parts of the Lotusflower album and Planet earth are notable exceptions (and maybe some of his better work).

I think this is partly because of the backlash he received after TRC, partly because as the way he is and remains to be, he can't really live up to being a true JW.

[Edited 1/29/12 13:50pm]

If your last December came
What would U do?
Would anybody remember
2 remember U?

Did U stand tall?
Or did U fall?
Did U give your all?

Did U ever find a reason
Why U had 2 die?
Or did U just plan on leaving
Without wondering why?

Was it everything it seemed?
Or did it feel like a dream?
Did U feel redeemed?

CHORUS:
Ahh ahh ahh, in the name of the Father
In the name of the Son
Ahh ahh ahh, we need 2 come 2gether
Come 2gether as one

Did U love somebody
But got no love in return?
Or did U understand the real meaning of love?
That it just is and never yearns?

When the truth arrives
Will U be lost on the other side?
Will U still be alive?

CHORUS

(Yeah)

(Father)
([Where are U?])
(They've lost... they've lost U)
([This world]) {looped}

In your life did U just give a little
Or did U give all that U had?
Were U just somewhere in the middle? (Somewhere in the middle)
Not 2 good, not 2 bad?

CHORUS {x2}

One, one

CHORUS

One {looped}

Admit it. Y'all been looking a Graffiti Bridge again, haven't you?

CHORUS:
Everybody wants 2 find Graffiti Bridge
Something 2 believe in
A reason 2 believe that there's a heaven above
Everybody wants 2 find Graffiti Bridge
Everybody's looking 4, everybody's looking 4
Everybody's looking 4 love
Everybody wants 2 find the perfect one
Someone that makes U happy
Someone that makes U laugh when U want 2 cry
Everybody wants 2 find the perfect one
Everybody's looking 4, everybody's looking 4
Everybody's looking 4 love

The love of a boy, the love of a girl
The love that comes from a warm heart in a cold, cold world

CHORUS

Everybody wants 2 find Graffiti Bridge
(People throw away your arms of fire)
A bridge of many colors
A bridge that leads them 2 a love they know is real
(Let democracy take U higher)
Everybody wants 2 find Graffiti Bridge (Open your mind, open your heart, open your mind)
Everybody's looking 4, everybody's looking 4 (If U believe)
Everybody's looking 4 love (Wave your hands 4 the power of love)
(Love is shinin')
(Everybody wants 2 find Graffiti Bridge)
There is a future (sho' U right)
A future worth fighting 4
I'm a living witness hint # 1
(Everybody wants 2 find Graffiti Bridge)
Ooh, everything's gonna be alright, alright, alright
(Everybody's looking 4,everybody's looking 4)
(Everybody's looking 4 love)

There is a future (A future worth fighting 4)
Worth fighting 4 (U knows it is, sho'nuff it is, baby) (Praise Him)
I know it is, I know it is
(Yes it is, yes it is, oh, it is, it is, it is!)
Everything will be alright

Everybody wants 2 find Graffiti

Pint-sized pop star Prince has been banging on people's front doors - after joining the Jehovah's Witnesses.

He has been trying to recruit others to his religion by calling on homes in his spare time.

He has teamed up with ex-Sly and the Family Stone bass player Larry Graham to go on door-knocking expeditions in and around Minneapolis.

Prince's London lawyer Londell Macmillan says the Purple Rain singer is "very committed" to his new-found faith.

But it has been reported that some homeowners have not been overjoyed by his unannounced visits.

One Jewish couple told how they let Prince and Graham in thinking their home was wanted for a video set "...then they start on this Jehovah's Witness stuff."

The two men stayed for 25 minutes, reading the Bible, before leaving a pamphlet and driving off.

OldFriends4Sale said:

12:09pm UK, Thursday October 16, 2003

Pint-sized pop star Prince has been banging on people's front doors - after joining the Jehovah's Witnesses.

He has been trying to recruit others to his religion by calling on homes in his spare time.

He has teamed up with ex-Sly and the Family Stone bass player Larry Graham to go on door-knocking expeditions in and around Minneapolis.

Prince's London lawyer Londell Macmillan says the Purple Rain singer is "very committed" to his new-found faith.

But it has been reported that some homeowners have not been overjoyed by his unannounced visits.

One Jewish couple told how they let Prince and Graham in thinking their home was wanted for a video set "...then they start on this Jehovah's Witness stuff."

The two men stayed for 25 minutes, reading the Bible, before leaving a pamphlet and driving off.

"In their Lexus cool" ...

I can't remember my baby's voice cuz she ain't talkin' no more
Only the sound of love and prayer echo from the yellow floor,
yellow floor
Huh, she's sayin' "Dear Jesus, save us from temptation
Dear Jesus, save us from hell
Save us from the madness that threatens us all
Can U hear us' It's hard 2 tell
In your name we pray"

expert lover

Some post TRC Prince:

Beautiful, Loved and Blessed

Wake up
You're beautiful, loved and blessed
You feel me?

When you found me I was just a piece of clay
I was formless, you gave me a new name
With the breath of life I now live abundantly
All I needed was the potter's hand
And the blood on Calvary

But too much power
Can sometimes turn to shame
Too much desire
Sometimes makes you feel the same

But forgiveness is how you win the game
I begged for truth, now I know the truth
And that is when you came and said I was

Beautiful, loved and blessed
I'm better than the day before
'Cause you made me confess that I am

Beautiful, loved and blessed
When you're free, you're really free indeed
All you gotta do is just plant the seed

A constant battle to stay ahead of the game
Is anybody famous when everybody wants fame?
Always trying to break you down thinkin' that it'll raise 'em up
I just wanna be happy, come, take this bitter cup from me

If I were to ever write down my life story
I could truly say with all the fame and glory
I was just a piece of clay in need of the potter's hand
'Cause when you whispered in my ear
The words I so now understand, oh

Beautiful, loved and blessed
I'm better than the day before
'Cause you made me confess that I am

Beautiful, loved and blessed
When you're free you're really free indeed
All you gotta do is just plant the seed

Everything you made you said, "That's good"
Before the fall of man you said, "That's good"
Every time I walk in faith that's good

You let me see another day that's good
Before the earth was made you said
"Tamar, I will lead the way and you'll go far"

Knowledge and understanding
Understanding is good
And when I wake up in the morning
All I hear in my hood is people saying that they're

Beautiful, loved, blessed
Will you rescue me from the darkness?
And now I just must confess

That I am beautiful, loved, blessed
Oh when you're free you're free indeed
All you gotta do is just plant the seed

The Word

What is this new exaltation
That I just can't explain?
What are these new inspirations
That I can't get out my brain?

How am I gonna sleep with this feeling
Rushing all through my veins?
Get up, come on let's do something
Don't you wanna go get saved?

The night is calling you to act
Act upon every urge
You can't get no satisfaction
If you ain't got the courage

I don't know what you're afraid of
I don't know what you've heard
Get up, come on let's do something
Don't you wanna know the word?

Who's gonna save us when them spiders get next to you?
Spinning their sticky webs around what you do
We gotta safeguard against forked tongue
And the treachery of the wicked one
Get up, come on let's do something

Don't matter how far you have to
The truth has got to be told
Don't matter how shiny your lips
They'll never be streets of gold

They might try to get us crazy
'Cuz they don't know what I've heard
We got this new exaltation
I'm talking about the word

Who's gonna save us when them spiders get next to you?
Spinning their sticky webs around what you do
We gotta safeguard against forked tongue
And the treachery of the wicked one
Get up, come on let's do something

Get up, come on let's do something
No reason to feel this pain
Get up, come on let's do something
Come on, go, let's get saved

Tremolina said:

I can't remember my baby's voice cuz she ain't talkin' no more
Only the sound of love and prayer echo from the yellow floor,
yellow floor
Huh, she's sayin' "Dear Jesus, save us from temptation
Dear Jesus, save us from hell
Save us from the madness that threatens us all
Can U hear us' It's hard 2 tell
In your name we pray"

expert lover

You mean Crystal Ball right?

and I love that piece in the song, that song in general but that piece

I was sort of thinking about this as I worked out to "Let's Pretend We're Married" this morning. Only Prince would have the guts to mention that he loves God in a song like that, lol.

Tremolina said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

12:09pm UK, Thursday October 16, 2003

Pint-sized pop star Prince has been banging on people's front doors - after joining the Jehovah's Witnesses.

He has been trying to recruit others to his religion by calling on homes in his spare time.

He has teamed up with ex-Sly and the Family Stone bass player Larry Graham to go on door-knocking expeditions in and around Minneapolis.

Prince's London lawyer Londell Macmillan says the Purple Rain singer is "very committed" to his new-found faith.

But it has been reported that some homeowners have not been overjoyed by his unannounced visits.

One Jewish couple told how they let Prince and Graham in thinking their home was wanted for a video set "...then they start on this Jehovah's Witness stuff."

The two men stayed for 25 minutes, reading the Bible, before leaving a pamphlet and driving off.

"In their Lexus cool" ...

Two people? Nah, it was a Porsche

OldFriends4Sale said:

Tremolina said:

expert lover

You mean Crystal Ball right?

and I love that piece in the song, that song in general but that piece

Yes. That's why I posted it.

angel345 said:

Tremolina said:

"In their Lexus cool" ...

Two people? Nah, it was a Porsche

P would fit in a Porsche but Larry wouldn't

Then again a Lexus Coupe is probably too small too, so I stand corrected. Again.. l

[Edited 2/4/12 2:53am]

Tremolina said:

angel345 said:

Two people? Nah, it was a Porsche

P would fit in a Porsche but Larry wouldn't

Then again a Lexus Coupe is probably too small too, so I stand corrected. Again.. l

[Edited 2/4/12 2:53am]

lameless said:

I was sort of thinking about this as I worked out to "Let's Pretend We're Married" this morning. Only Prince would have the guts to mention that he loves God in a song like that, lol.

Whatever U heard about me is true
I change the rules and do what I wanna do
I'm in love with God, He's the only way
Cuz U and I know we gotta die some day
If U think I'm crazy, U're probably right
But I'm gonna have fun every motherfuckin' night
If U like 2 fight, U're a double-drag fool
I'm goin' 2 another life, how 'bout U?

TrevorAyer said:

1725topp said:

The notion that sex has nothing to do with anything is your opinion, and you have a right to it. The point that I am making is that you seem to be guilty of the same thing of which you are accusing Prince. I hear people say, "I don't want Prince forcing his beliefs on me," and then they do the same thing. The truth is that sex is a biological act that can have some very hazardous, lingering, and fatal emotional/psychological and physical risks if people are not responsible. And Prince was discussing this in his work long before he became a JW as his songs generally have double meanings that address the manner in which sex and sexuality can be seen as metaphors for human neurosis. He may be more narrow and dogmatic about it now, but far too many people are having their future opportunities and lives cut short because of unplanned pregnancies and STDs. Yes, "we can fuck until the Dawn," but the question is "with what will we be left in the morning: a baby, a disease, or a broken heart?" If would be a shame, if not pathetic, if a man Prince's age didn't have a more responsible perspective of sex.

*

You state that Prince started worshiping money like it’s a fact. I see no proof or documentation that Prince worships money. People with knowledge or skills get paid for their knowledge or skills. The level or amount of one's knowledge or skill determines how much one gets paid. I hear a lot of people say, "I'd do this for free," but they never return the payment. Also, no one is forced to pay for Prince’s or anybody else’s knowledge or skills. If I don’t think that something is worth the price, I don’t buy it. And I know that I’m going to make a lot of people angry, but only someone really trusting or just damn clueless paid $77 to join Prince’s last website after having been a part of or knowledgeable of his last website. I don’t purchase anything without research. I didn’t have a spare $77 to give Prince so I didn’t. If I would have had a spare $77 I would have purchased a membership, but it would have been a spare $77 that I did not need for anything else hence I would not be bitter or pissed at this moment. And if somebody is willing to pay Prince one million dollars to perform or to have exclusive rights to his next CD, then more power to him. I only have $20 allotted to purchase CDs and about $50 ($100 for me and my wife jointly) for concert tickets. If either costs more, then I’ll just have to get a second-hand report. But, the Christian Bible only states that one must tithe; it doesn’t put a limit on how much one can earn.

*

This whole notion of Prince worshipping a "false god" is an ideological debate that makes you, once again, as guilty as with what you charge Prince, especially since this debate of whether to teach/worship the human Jesus or the spiritual Jesus can be traced to Constantine’s desire to develop a text/bible which caused a split between the religious leaders that Constantine had gathered to compile the text. My point is that you act as if Prince's interpretation of Jesus is baseless and yours is rooted in fact when both are "faith" based interpretations/beliefs, again, making you guilty of the very thing of which you accuse Prince of being. But, of course, Prince is the narrow-minded, myopic one and not you.

*

Finally, I don't know if you missed the point or are purposely misinterpreting what Prince said about being afraid to fly. The point was not that God will save one from evil or death, but that one of the reasons for believing in God is the comfort of knowing that death isn't final. Other than the aspect of sacrifice and salvation, the essential element of the ideology of Jesus is that he defeated death so that mankind should have no fear of death, meaning that our lives should not be controlled by our fear of death. Additionally, Jesus, in his second temptation by Satan, also warned that just because God is all powerful and that he (Jesus) was about to defeat death does not mean that mankind should engage themselves in foolish activities or behaviors, such as flinging oneself off a mountain because they believe in God. So, Prince's point is that while fear is a natural part of being physical/human, the notion/belief that one accepts one's metaphysical/spiritual side and believes in a being that is all powerful should lessen, if not remove, fear from any equation or decision because to live is Christ and to die is gain. Again, this is all just faith, but you are twisting or misinterpreting Prince's words seemingly to fit your own anti-Christian notions. And, I'm not saying that you or anyone else should agree with Prince or Christianity, but at least be accurate or truthful about Prince’s words or the ideology that you are denouncing so that your assertions can be credible and appreciated. By not being accurate in your presentation of Prince’s words or Christianity, it makes it difficult for us (this forum) to have an earnest, educational, and meaningful discourse.

well that was fun .. um i didn't quote prince AT ALL so i am not sure what u are representing when u say i twist his words .. the only reference i made was to prince changing THE CROSS to THE CHRIST .. and i will say that prince worship of money is transparent in all his recent work .. he is constantly bragging about his loot .. flashing his jewelry and mansions and really bloated crap like that, completely ignorant of who suffers when he gets babied like a spoiled brat .. says pretty clear in the bible that gluttony is one of the deadly sins .. its hard to take a guy like prince christianity spirituality or whatever seriously .. i guess a lot of christians have issues with sex .. its right up there with taking a shit biolically and is about as relevant .. but hey .. people sell movies with poop jokes all the time so i applaud prince for selling records the same way .. still don't see what it has to do with christ or god .. reproduction is pretty hard wired on this planet

Can you provide proof when he did that? We're tallking about someone who has over the years donated to many charities out of kindness, that isn't always made public. Don't you have him confused with artists like the many rappers who brag and display materialism like it's religion or God? (i.e., Kanye and Jay-Z and others throwing up their jewelry, bragging about cars and flashing money in their videos, etc. ) Sending the mesages to their fans that materialism is a priority in life versus compassion, respect and how people treat other, because for you to say Prince brags or worships money, promotes materialism, (unless you can provide some evidence of that) doesn't seem to hold any water, and I just don't see in recent years, where he has displayed that of attitude in his image. I do however, agree with some here that much of Prince's music has always had some connection to spirituality though.

[Edited 2/27/12 7:39am]

2elijah said:

TrevorAyer said:

well that was fun .. um i didn't quote prince AT ALL so i am not sure what u are representing when u say i twist his words .. the only reference i made was to prince changing THE CROSS to THE CHRIST .. and i will say that prince worship of money is transparent in all his recent work .. he is constantly bragging about his loot .. flashing his jewelry and mansions and really bloated crap like that, completely ignorant of who suffers when he gets babied like a spoiled brat .. says pretty clear in the bible that gluttony is one of the deadly sins .. its hard to take a guy like prince christianity spirituality or whatever seriously .. i guess a lot of christians have issues with sex .. its right up there with taking a shit biolically and is about as relevant .. but hey .. people sell movies with poop jokes all the time so i applaud prince for selling records the same way .. still don't see what it has to do with christ or god .. reproduction is pretty hard wired on this planet

Can you provide proof when he did that? We're tallking about someone who has over the years donated to many charities out of kindness, that isn't always made public. Don't you have him confused with artists like the many rappers who brag and display materialism like it's religion or God? (i.e., Kanye and Jay-Z and others throwing up their jewelry, bragging about cars and flashing money in their videos, etc. ) Sending the mesages to their fans that materialism is a priority in life versus compassion, respect and how people treat other, because for you to say Prince brags or worships money, promotes materialism, (unless you can provide some evidence of that) doesn't seem to hold any water, and I just don't see in recent years, where he has displayed that of attitude in his image. I do however, agree with some here that much of Prince's music has always had some connection to spirituality though.

[Edited 2/27/12 7:39am]

Now that sounds like Jay-Z and Kanye, NOT Prince, but like you I'm curious.

Each of us takes a journey during stges of our lives when we are seeking higher purpose to our existance and the meaning of life and that which is to come. Prince is a meer mortal doing the same thing as each of us have done or are doing eah day of our life. The avenue for expression for him is through song. In it we see the struggle of good & evil, love & lust, and sex & sexuality stages f his life played out for all to see and witness. To quote him: "My life is written in my songs".

Damn, this thread has come all the way back to return to the front page. Talk about re-entering the charts with a bullet, and I haven't provided a long a__ post to this topic in weeks.