Restless - I hear you and LSH - I don't know of any taboos yet as a 4 month corfidian exept for when we do not maintain good taste, respect for one another, and especially, in the general discussion area, talk of Gord should prevail.
Certainly lyrics of his as poetry, and the way it weaves in to the music ( or vice-versa?
) are not a likely candidate for theoretical banning I hear about once in a while, but see no sign of. I've been treated only fair and square by nice folk in the monitering and administration of this venue.
Towards the discussion of his lyrics, we could put blinders on and selectively omit any of Gord's distinctly spritual ( at times only) lyrics as part of the man and his music but if we did that, we'd be sorely missing an important aspect of his music; like being told to not look at the colour blue in an art forum.
No one has EVER asked me not to do this (talk of spiritual lyrics), and so I join in with you two to mention my favourite excerpt from one of my favourite GL songs "Make Way For the Lady": "shake hands with the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; the impossible believer, and the Heaavenly Host" . In a rare Jazzy song to boot !
More important than ballyhooing whether it is or isn't spiritual, or attempting to hope that by placing it in context makes it not spiritual, or moreover, saying its only general spiritualism or humanism, versus what clearly appears imho to be a reference to believing in the trinity ! (it seems to me, maybe not others, that's cool)
In my way of thinking, knowing it IS in poor taste to DWELL on this in a musical forum (and a Nation as a fouding precept) where freedom of religious choice is important, and the freedom to speak, write, ( and may we infer: sing about it ?) CAN be in poor taste .
It can be if our prime motivation is to attempt to eviscerate whether GL and/or some of his lyrics are Christian or otherwise, and whether his lyrics are indicative of this or simply chronicling history or events in life as an undeniably powerful aspect of society, like injustice, racism, senseless war, etc.
It is certainly imho within the pervue of this still enjoyable forum for me because I have never ONCE been chastised for bringing up these lyrics only occassionally, to be in good taste, and not attempt to present my opinions as truisms. Rather, consider it [his lrycs) as a facet of his music to talk of some times here.
I think that this has not been denied me might be because imho I think I have exercised restraint in order to be respectful of other religious beliefs than my own, or whether a person is gnostic or agnostic, atheist or theological, etc. I see no problem here despite occassional references to it (e.g. members posting their preference to NOT talk religion, which I respect) not having their reasonable requests being thoughtfully considered.
More power to ALL ( non-private and tasteful )facets of Lightfoot that are fair game to discuss ! Imho though, that does not include speculation of HIS own religious beliefs. I consider that, mine, and all of yours as your own private and personal business.
If it comes up in small talk, I am inclined to think it is not leaving the realm of polite discussion to discuss the religious ASPECTS of SOME of his lyrics, or as pointed out above my post, entire songs that are seemingly entirely spiritual ( intrinsic to some claasic folk music ) there are several imho.
I am not offended by it, and welcome reading polar views of my own personal ones. Lightfoot rules ! Ain't it a wunnerful world ?
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Steve
[ June 22, 2006, 05:56: Message edited by: geodeticman ]