U2 Blog

Is U2 ‘Christian?’ It Just Doesn’t Matter

Most fans of U2 have heard that they started out as a Christian group, but their Christian faith has been questioned quite a bit by the Church over the years and especially in the past few years.

This band was once praised for their faith; however, today they are often used as an example within the ChristianChurch as a band that has fallen away from their faith. The members themselves, of course, deny this.

Going from a small, almost insignificant group to what they’ve become today seems like an impossible feat for such an outwardly Christian group (only the bass player, Adam Clayton, does not profess a Christian faith) Yet their fame has exploded among the Christian and secular world alike. Bono’s lyrics are filled with passion, love and longing and he claims that all his songs are songs of praise to God in his mind (although admittedly most fans at a concert would seem more likely to worship Bono himself).

It is clear that the band has more than just money as their goal; they genuinely seem interested pursuing justice and the eradication of poverty throughout the world. Still, the question remains: what to do with Bono’s beliefs? He breaks almost all conservative Christian moral codes by smoking cigars, drinking Jack Daniel’s and letting an occasional word of profanity slip out of his mouth. His most popular statement among the more liberal, charismatic or Pentecostal streams of Christianity is “Religion is what you get when the Spirit leaves the building.” He feels that religion is the worst enemy of the Holy Spirit and that we should all let up a bit on how strictly we follow “the rules” of Christianity. He also states that the most important goal of Scriptures should be taking care of the world’s poor. This doesn’t set well with the theology of many Christians, although others embrace it.

So are they Christian or not? In the end, it doesn’t really matter. U2 has made a very strong impression on the world through their faith and unrelenting fight against poverty. As stadiums fill up with fans to watch them perform people are changed through their lyrics and passion for love and we may yet all be able to learn a thing or two from them, Christian and secular alike.

If you’d like to see in person why this band has made such an impact, then be sure to see them in concert. U2Tickets.com has the largest selection of seats you’re likely to find online. Contact us today.