Spiritual Breakdown of Hozier's "Take Me to Church"

2/19/15 - Spiritual Breakdown of Hozier's "Take Me to Church"

Hozier's "Take Me to Church" is a hauntingly beautiful song which has received quite the acclaim in the music scene including sharing the top three position on Billboard Top 20 for several weeks.  In this post you're going to listen to the song three times.

First, watch this very simple video which follows with the lyrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0imaSCnSuA

• What are your initial feelings and thoughts about the lyrics?  See below for the full lyrics:

My lover's got humour

She's the giggle at a funeral

Knows everybody's disapproval

I should've worshipped her sooner

If the Heavens ever did speak

She is the last true mouthpiece

Every Sunday's getting more bleak

A fresh poison each week

'We were born sick,' you heard them say it

My church offers no absolutes

She tells me 'worship in the bedroom'

The only heaven I'll be sent to

Is when I'm alone with you

I was born sick, but I love it

Command me to be well

Amen. Amen. Amen

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

If I'm a pagan of the good times

My lover's the sunlight

To keep the Goddess on my side

She demands a sacrifice

To drain the whole sea

Get something shiny

Something meaty for the main course

That's a fine looking high horse

What you got in the stable?

We've a lot of starving faithful

That looks tasty

That looks plenty

This is hungry work

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

No masters or kings when the ritual begins

There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin

In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene

Only then I am human

Only then I am clean

Amen. Amen. Amen

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

• It seems to be a very "worldly view" of passion and love.
• The woman in this story is much like an idol.
• There seems to be a disdain for "the Church."
• "we were born sick" may be a reference to original sin.
• "I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies" could be an insult to both those who worship God as well as those in the pulpit and their "lies."
• "I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife" eludes to a lack of actual forgiveness in The Church.
• Have you ever been hurt by a church or a "good Christian" which pushed you away from the religion?
• Did you overcome it?
• Was that pain reflective of Christ, or reflective of imperfect humans?

"The song was always about humanity at its most natural, and how that is undermined ceaselessly by religious organizations and those who would have us believe they act in its interests." - Hozier

"Growing up, I always saw the hypocrisy of the Catholic church.  The history speaks for itself and I grew incredibly frustrated and angry. I essentially just put that into my words." - Hozier (source)

• Next, watch the official music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYSVMgRr6pw

• Take a moment to analyze your feelings after watching that.  What does it make you feel?
• Sad?
• Frustrated?
• Attacked?

"Sexuality, and sexual orientation – regardless of orientation – is just natural. An act of sex is one of the most human things. But an organization like the church, say, through its doctrine, would undermine humanity by successfully teaching shame about sexual orientation – that it is sinful, or that it offends God. The song is about asserting yourself and reclaiming your humanity through an act of love." - Hozier (source)

• This analysis isn't regarding one's stance on sexual orientation (so drop the boxing gloves for a minute), however it does pull into question how you might feel that in the last quote "the church" and "act of love" are on opposing sides.  How does that make you feel as a follower of Christ?
• This video represents an institution, in the Russian Government, which is taking away a piece of humanity.
• Not-so-fun fact: Legally, in Russia, homosexuality is considered a mental illness and, therefore, such individuals do not have some seemingly basic rights such as holding a driver's license.
• If popular music represents the stance of the majority and this song is satirical about The Church (and the video somewhat representative of perceived Christian views) then how do we change those views?

Truth vs. Grace

• Often times we walk the line of truth and grace.
• It can be difficult to lean on grace but it is important to remember that Jesus teaches us grace.  We are taught to know truth, we are taught to act in grace.
• Judgement is not ours.
• Finally, watch this video which is another way to view the song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-tW0CkvdDI

• How do you feel after watching this video?
• Hopeful?
• Encouraged?
• Notes
• Notice the openness of the environment he's dancing in: no glass for the windows, no doors in the doorways.  Perhaps a way to encourage open mindedness.
• At 3:00 "Only then I am human, only then I am clean.  Amen, amen, amen."  Beautiful sunbeams shine in like the fingers of God.  The dancer is on his knees looking up as if giving praise to Him.

Homework

• It's simple yet difficult this week: remember not to debate "sin" but to love as Jesus teaches us.  Hold yourself accountable in situations when you may feel an urge to show judgement in the next week, and instead show compassion.

• Sometimes those things which seem to attack us become a strength for us; let "Take Me to Church" serve that purpose for you.

Who Was the Underdog?

2/11/15 – Who was the Underdog?

·         Think about some of your memories of the story of David and Goliath; what were some of your memories from your childhood regarding that story?

o    David, just a boy, did the unthinkable.

o   The triumph of an underdog.

o   Etc.

·         Watch this 15 minute TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziGD7vQOwl8

·         Now, do you see the story of David and Goliath in a new way?

o   Ponder the following:

§  We often look at that story as a miracle, of sorts, but the outcome seems just logical after watching that TED Talk.

·         What if there are other stories in the Bible that we chalk off to “miracle” when God was building to that moment the whole time?

·         This is not to suggest that miracles don’t happen, but rather to suggest that God works on a larger scale.

§  Rather than sulking in the fact that he wasn’t a soldier, he chose to embrace the position God put him in.

·         Are there any ways that you’re sulking about a position (ahem, singles) that God has you in rather than embracing it and the skills that He may be giving you in the process?

Homework

Try to think of areas in your life where you could embrace your circumstances and seemingly pedestrian skills knowing that God may be working on the perfect moment for you to step up when you’re ready.  Once you pinpoint that area you can begin appreciating it. 

Biblical References

1 Samual 17 - The Story of David and Goliath

The Power of Words

2/4/15 – The Power of Words

Take a moment and think about some of the worst compliments you’ve received on dates. 

o   “You are really beautiful…for a bigger woman.” 

o   “You remind me of Leonardo Dicaprio…from What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” 

o   These are just a few gems from our meeting.

Now, get a piece of paper and take two minutes to write down compliments you wish you would hear from people.

o   “You’re a beautiful person.”

o   “You have a lovely laugh.”

o   Etc.

·    Watch this 6-minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_dmYT83ZKY (it should be noted that some doctors challenge this research and its accuracy)

o   “If thoughts can do that to water, imagine what they can do to us considering we are 90% water.”

o   Think about some of the negative words you've heard from people which bring you down.

o   Think about the positive words and comments that build you up.

Now, pull that paper out again and spend one minute writing any new compliments you’d like to hear, this time considering how the words will literally change the physical molecules of your body.  Save space at the very bottom.

Finally, on the bottom line of your paper, write “Jesus loves you unconditionally” “You are a child of Christ” or something else which speaks to your soul.

Homework

Every day for the next seven days read your paper out loud to yourself in the mirror.  Take stock next week of how, if at all, you feel different about yourself, or about life.

Biblical References

• Proverbs 12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
• Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
• Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.  (Everything was created by God's Word)
• Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.