Setzer on religion

First, I'd like to wish everyone here a wonderful Christmas and I hope for the absolute best for each of you in 2009. I just finished a wonderful Christmas day here in Australia sharing time with my husband's parents, talking on the phone with my own parents, enjoying good food and drink, listening to great Christmas music and being happy. I am so glad to be a part of such a wonderful community of friends who all have a passion for the same exciting, fun music as I do.

Second, I posted the original article and comment simply out of interest, not because I agree or disagree or hoped to start a debate. I think we all like knowing about who Brian Setzer is as a person, which is why it was so difficult for all of us when that personal link between the man and the fans was removed. I'm glad we all have been so willing to share when we find interesting articles, videos, etc - it's part of what makes this group great and helps to replace a bit of what we've lost.

Third, I'm an atheist. I am in awe of the evolution of man (and every other living thing on the planet) over millions of years. I saw dinosaur bones, in person for the first time, at the Smithsonian in Washington DC just a few weeks ago. I've never been particularly interested in dinosaurs before, but standing beneath the skeleton of the T Rex, I nearly wept I was so overcome with amazement at the power of nature. I don't believe that an omnipotent and invisible man in the sky is responsible for all of that, and that he watches every move we make and hears every thought in our head and judges us for our every trespass. Or that a devil lurks below making people murder, rape and steal. Or that if we believe in an invisible man in the sky and a devil below, that by confessing our sins we are absolved - I think that's a copout. I believe we answer to ourselves, our own morality and those that we affect in life - and we have to live with the consequences of our actions. I believe in the words of Louis Jordan, "when you're dead, your done- so let the good times roll." Or the Wheels and Stray Cats- "short time to live, long time to stay dead." I hope I make the most of the time I live, that I am a good person, and that I treat others as I want to be treated. Not because I want a reward when I die- but simply because it's the right thing to do.

I respect the true, honest and heartfelt beliefs of others even if I don't agree with them. I am absolutely, unabashedly grateful to organised religion for the incredible, indescribable works of art that have been created in God's name throughout history. My life would be so much less rich without the works of Michelangelo. I am grateful that organised religion brings comfort, solace, and meaning in life to those in need. I am thankful that when my grandfather died 10 years ago, my grandmother was never alone for the constant stream of friends and loved ones from her church who came to pay their respects, help her when she was in need, and listen when she wanted to talk. I hate that strict religious upbringing warped the lives and minds of people close to me, ruining relationships and driving my loved ones to drink. I hate that wars are fought and people are killed in God's name. I like dirty jokes. I loved having sex with my husband before I married him. I think that sometimes saying "God dammit" is the only thing to do.

I am so happy to know all of you, here, that love God or Allah or Jehovah or Buddha. I am happy to know those of you that don't. If we were all the same, life wouldn't be... life.

Merry Christmas.

(deleted for having nothing to do with the thread after editing!)

andi wrote:

That's the article I opened the thread with, Tavo

Glad we are all getting along on my birthday.

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

Glad we are all getting along on my birthday.

THAT'S RIGHT!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAVO!!!

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

Pinkpiratekitty wrote:

Bear85 wrote:

Well, anyway, I wish there were more artists out there who profess their faith, but keep on rockin'. !

Professing your faith, hmmm by having tattoos of pin-ups, and playing songs with lyrics that would not be sung in church? It's a big pet peeve of mine when people "profess" their faith when it's to their advantage, but still live like they dont once they leave church grounds. Like the "I'd like to thank God" parts of speeches on awards shows.

Hmmm - guess Ill be banned from this forum now too.

Music is a-moral, but it is a key to the heart..
If the heart is not in the music, its insincere in any form.

Setzer's music/Art is sincere.

I am one to testify of being a follower of Jesus' teachings, on and off the stage.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=48957129

I LOVED the video, Tavo! Loved it!

Didn't know it was your B-day. HB2U!!!

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

andi wrote:

That's the article I opened the thread with, Tavo

Glad we are all getting along on my birthday.

Happy Birthday Bro!

Hope ya have a great one!

I enjoyed the vid as well but, I thought you'd be taller! hahahaah!!

Cheers and beers Pete!

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

Setzer's music/Art is sincere.

Just to clarify - my comments were not directed at Brian.

Pistol Pete wrote:

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

andi wrote:

That's the article I opened the thread with, Tavo

Glad we are all getting along on my birthday.

Happy Birthday Bro!

Hope ya have a great one!

I enjoyed the vid as well but, I thought you'd be taller! hahahaah!!

Cheers and beers Pete!

hey now that stupid myspace stretched the video wide, made me look like an oompa loompa! I'm a full 5'6" on a good day.. heck ya. hehe..
2" taller with my creepers doggone it

ps. do you guys drink smithwicks and arrogant bastard over there? I know it cant
be fosters.

Hey Tavo,
5'6" huh? hahaha!!
I drink Coopers Pale Ale, Tooheys Extra Dry, VB, Corona but NOT Fosters! That's back wash! What ya have to remember most of our beers are 5% minimum alcohol, I think the American ones are lower aren't they?
Come to Australia and Rene, Kid, Andi, AussieSam and myself will show ya how it's really done!

Wow...I get the flu and then go out of town for a couple of days and come back to this discussion. Gee, did I miss all the fun.



Happy Birthday Tavo!
hrg

thank you guys! sheeeze the flu... what kinda flu?

Right,
I don't think Setzer's music is in any way related to religion...
The reason why he wore that cross during the Stray Cats period... he just liked it... he used to wear the WWI Cross and it doesn't mean that he is in favour of wars, does it?

And Bear, well, he played "Angels" as that's a traditional Xmas song and since the BSO has been lately playing Xmas songs, why not to include that?

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

thank you guys! sheeeze the flu... what kinda flu?

Miserable kind...the kind I don't want to share with anyone. Aches and pains and all sorts of fun stuff during the first 24 hrs. Then you don't feel quite right for about a week after. I'm still trying to kick it.

It came to my house wrapped in the cutest little package disguised as an adorable little boy. He showered me with hugs and kisses, and shared all of the wondrous joys of whatever flu virus was traveling around his classroom. Lovely.

Hey, who let the dog out?
hrg

Hot Rod Girl wrote:

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

thank you guys! sheeeze the flu... what kinda flu?

It came to my house wrapped in the cutest little package disguised as an adorable little boy. He showered me with hugs and kisses, and shared all of the wondrous joys of whatever flu virus was traveling around his classroom. Lovely.

Hey, who let the dog out?
hrg

thats the part of raising kids I could do without.. its bad enough you get adults
coming around family gatherings sicker than dogs, but if a kid has something
you can bet that all the zinc lozenges and vitamin C in the world aint gonna help
you much when you are sneezed at in the eyes by a venomous spitting cobra...uh..oh.. I mean adorable little kid.

well merry xmas and keep that stuff on the east coast!

I work as an elementary school librarian, so I get 700 kids sneezing, coughing, etc., on pretty much everything I touch. I go through a lot of hand sanitizer and kleenex! The weird thing is, you dont know how many kids do not know how to blow their nose.

Pinkpiratekitty wrote:

I work as an elementary school librarian, so I get 700 kids sneezing, coughing, etc., on pretty much everything I touch. I go through a lot of hand sanitizer and kleenex! The weird thing is, you dont know how many kids do not know how to blow their nose.

My hat is off to you.... children frighten me and I have 2 of them. ( of course my
children are perfect angels...mwahahahahaha )

Great video clip TV. I like the vocal harmony. Now, is that your '99 you're playing? If so, did you add the G brand?

Rick

Twenty Flight Rick wrote:

Great video clip TV. I like the vocal harmony. Now, is that your '99 you're playing? If so, did you add the G brand?

Rick

thanks for the nice comments (good and bad are accepted) !!

rick, yep I added that G brand.. couldnt help myself since I already have stickers on the
back..cant help myself when it comes to accessories.

Hi Jon,
well I figured that, that he Brian just liked to wear the Cross and stuff
kind of like his own 'fashion statement' which is what ever the heck he wears is always cool, right?

I'm a believer but I still have tomoye symbal tattoo'd on my calf..I aint no
buddist