kedame said
I sort of see it as John saying God (or religion in any sense) is a crutch for those in pain. You need some reason to believe everything will be alright, and religion offers that. The more in pain you are, the more likely you will be to turn to a "higher power."

I guess.

This is exactly what I think he meant. While some people turn to drugs or alcohol in a time of pain, others turn to God. Of course, at the time this song was written, John hadn't yet figured out the whole religion thing for ...]]> Wed, 18 Jul 2012 21:21:50 +0100 http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53596 John Lennon http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53596

mr. Sun king coming together said

kedame said

I sort of see it as John saying God (or religion in any sense) is a crutch for those in pain. You need some reason to believe everything will be alright, and religion offers that. The more in pain you are, the more likely you will be to turn to a "higher power."

I guess.

(Trying quoting from my iPod. Hope it works.)
Kedame, that's what I was trying to say, but of course, you say it more elequantly then I did. Welcome back, by the way!

Thanks, SunKing! You know, we often do ...]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2012 05:47:39 +0100 http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53586 John Lennon http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53586

mithveaen said
Interesting interpretation of the words of Girl Meanmrmustard.  I always thought it was about a girl who was taught that the men would have to give her everything because she deserves it so, that's why she could hurt men without remorse.

I know a couple of girls like that. But your interpretation is quite interesting.

Edit : Kedame, your opinion is also interesting. The other way to see religion and pain.

I dont use wiki as a creditable source more a handy place for beatle info found in books etc. ...]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:06:00 +0100 http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53584 John Lennon http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53584

kedame said

I sort of see it as John saying God (or religion in any sense) is a crutch for those in pain. You need some reason to believe everything will be alright, and religion offers that. The more in pain you are, the more likely you will be to turn to a "higher power."

I guess.

(Trying quoting from my iPod. Hope it works.)
Kedame, that's what I was trying to say, but of course, you say it more elequantly then I did. Welcome back, by the way!

I know a couple of girls like that. But your interpretation is quite interesting.

Edit : Kedame, your opinion is also interesting. The other way to see religion and pain.

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me.

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Paul words but still relevant in part i think.

I guess.

"Was she told when she was young that pain would lead to pleasure?

Did she understand it when they said;

That a man must break his back to earn his day of leisure?

Will she still believe it when he's dead?"

Personally i think John was talking about how folks call out to God when things go wrong, either in need or in blame, whether they have a real believe in God (whatever their image of God is) or not. This idea or concept can also applied to the pain and suffering in the world, "if God exists why is there ...]]> Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:32:35 +0100 http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53577 John Lennon http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53577 From my Catholic point of view, that line is related to "if you have pain in your life, that's because Jesus loves you". Catholic church teaches you that if you suffer for your religion, if you have pain in your life, it's because God is purifying you.

I remember this because my Mom taught me that the way some interpret this concept is bullshit. When she was young, (in the 40s) she had a neighbor whose husband beated her to death, and one day when my Mom got sick of that, she went to the house and told the guy to ...]]> Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:06:37 +0100 http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53561 John Lennon http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53561 I remember reading some person recall explaining to John that religion was most common in the most deprived societies, as if worshiping was a way of coping with life. John came out with "oh, so God is a concept by which we measure our pain".

Assuming that's true (at the very least I imagine that the speaker slightly adapted John's reply to fit exactly with the "God" lyric), then we have our inspiration, unless John was formulating that line for a while looking for the opportunity to express it.

Whilst there may be correlation from comparisons of whole societies, I doubt that ...]]> Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:00:40 +0100 http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53543 John Lennon http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p53543 I read a biography on Paul. When his mother died he prayed to God and asked where he was. People do tend to pray more when they are hurt or need something (I think they miss the point, it's like only telling your spouse you love 'em after sex). They also tend to blame God when things go wrong and there's no one else to blame. I think it's funny when even atheists curse the Lord when shit goes south. You can't curse him if you don't believe in him. I think John was trying to say that God was ...]]> Tue, 19 Jun 2012 07:02:24 +0100 http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p52961 John Lennon http://www.beatlesbible.com/forum/john-lennon/doubt-about-the-song-god/#p52961 Trying to get into Lennon's mind and what he meant is a fool's game - must be why I'm trying!

Those who believe tend to pray more at a time of pain, and typically they sense God's involvement most at those times. Seeing as how those who've had such pain believe more, it's fair to say what Lennon did say.

just to be clear not a religious fight if is possible i just want opinions of the meaning.