U2 the rock’n roll “Book of Common Prayer”?

The Guardian (UK) offers an interesting theological reflection upon Bono and the band U2 and their Christian roots and even their Christian evangelism through their music and advocacy for social justice:


U2: Rock’n’roll’s answer to the Book of Common Prayer?

Is Bono really a true crusader for Christianity? Two Italian journalists have examined his lyrics and discovered Biblical allusions in almost every song

From the Guardian (UK)

When the day comes for Bono to approach heaven’s pearly gates, he can rest assured that they will likely swing open. If his attempts to eradicate African debt, Aids and malaria aren’t enough to earn him a halo and a pair of wings, then the U2 frontman can now also cite the official endorsement of the Vatican.

In a 4 January article in the Italian-language edition of L’Osservatore Romano, the Holy See’s daily newspaper, Gaetano Vallini makes the case that Bono is a true crusader for Christianity, and his lyrics a veritable treasure trove of Biblical references and allusions.

The singer has made no secret of his religious beliefs. Raised by a Catholic father and a Protestant mother, he, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr were once members of an evangelical worship group called Shalom. Bono has since distanced himself from organised religion, in favour of a more personal spiritual path (“I’m a need-to-practice-much-more Christian,” he said in an interview in 2002, “I’m uncomfortable in churches”). But that didn’t stop him sharing some good times with the late Pope John Paul II, who even tried on Bono’s trademark shades during one meeting – this delicious photo opportunity was duly recorded by L’Osservatore Romano.

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