Dear God by XTC music reaction video.

Dear God by XTC Reaction Video
Check out the official video here: • XTC - Dear God
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[@JackTasman]

One of the most underrated bands of all time. Wish more reactors would check out their massive back catalogue.

[@CedricandBrian]

They’re awesome!! I think we’re gonna have to take a look back at some of their earlier stuff. Thank you for watching our channel. - C -

[@timkemp9673]

Absolutely.

[@Ray1969.]

Jack is absolutely right. XTC is sooooo underrated. They have so many great songs like “Gods and Generals”, “The Mayor of Simpleton, “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead”, and “Making Plans For Nigel” to name a few.

[@maximuskhan2100]

@@CedricandBrian Scarecrow People would be a perfect fit for discussion for you guys and musically I think you will find it a step up from this, this band actually got much better as they went along imo.

[@daretoknow1988]

Cedric is still clinging to Intelligent Design? The puddle marvels at how well the hole has been designed to fit it perfectly. The idea of a divine creator belittles the elegant reality of the universe.

[@CedricandBrian]

I engage with a lot of people on this platform who don’t recognize God, so I refer to Him as Intelligent Design 👍🏾. - C -

[@hazelrush]

LOVE this statement

[@jimiewilliams7623]

Only the ignorant, wouldn't recognize that the term, intelligent design, is just another way of saying god. Don't condescend.@@CedricandBrian

[@zoeherriot]

@@jimiewilliams7623yeah, but they are both made up. I mean, if the design is so intelligent, why is it so flawed?

[@cyclops60]

This is a very clever and thought provoking song, like much of XTC's work. I respect the fact that you have faith and if it enables you to make sense of and navigate through this life then fair enough. I am an atheist and I don't believe that a supernatural designer is a pre-requisite for a functioning society. I put my trust in science because it strives to make sense of the universe whilst being open enough to change it's position as new information becomes available. For me, this means being able to live my life being comfortable with a large degree of uncertainty but whilst also continuing to learn. I know some scientists are religious and that's fine too. I only came here for the music but I needed to let you know my position after what I heard you saying. Peace.

[@jono.pom-downunder]

The boy is the son of one of the band members. The voice of the child is the daughter of a friend of Tod Rundgren. As for creationism, where do the dinosaurs fit in? Did your god forget about the 5 billion years between dinosaurs and man?

[@davidwoolbright3675]

Intelligent Design is one of the weakest of arguments for a greater power.

[@AJBuwalda]

As a agnostic atheist who grew up religious and still has a love for the cultural aspect and morals, I'd love to have a conversation about religion with these guys

[@davidbennetts3138]

Pretty sure Andy Partridge is an atheist. The fact he is singing a song to someone he doesnt believe exists, is him lacing the song in irony. Using the bible, quran or any religious text as an instruction manual is deeply problematic given it was written 2000 years ago. The way in which those texts advocate slavery and the treatment of women or same sex relationships for examples still resonates today. Its interesting because he sings about the divisive nature of religion and you mention in your analysis Judaism, Christanity and "the muslims" rather than Islam demonstrating your distain for that branch of faith. My experience is that a lack of religion can make you more tolerant, more accepting and open minded than following a code suscribed by others. This song stands the test of time to me and has always been an anthem of mine.

[@wangdangdoodie]

At the time of writing (the song), Andy Partridge was agnostic. In recent interviews he has stated he is now atheist. The song is a parody of the title of a series of books by David Heller, called ' Dear God'. These books are a collection of letters that children were encouraged to write to god asking questions. Andy Partridge thought that would be a great vehicle for the song.

[@WarrenCromartie2]

This is one band who deserved to be huge and they could have been had they not been so badly managed, and if poor Andy hadn't had his breakdown.

[@JohnPaul-hm2ys]

Great song from my past. As with many of the UK groups i the 70's and 80's, I related this to the angst that youth felt over the religious fighting in Ireland at that time. People dying to prove their religion was the truth. We all question our beliefs. I try to live as a decent human. and I hope that all my trials have been for the betterment of my soul. And hopefully, I have helped a person or two in my lifetime.

[@hazelrush]

I'm not a pseudo intellectual, and definitely not an elite. I like the honesty of this reaction. Please let me explain to you both , as an Aetheist... I do have a Code of Conduct. I do have a Moral code and a Moral center. These behaviors come from my mind and my heart. I don't need a book to tell me right from wrong. Just trying to give you some insight into those of us without religious faith. Most of us are kind, loving, decent people. Take care

[@CedricandBrian]

Thanks for watching and commenting Tanya. I get what you are saying, I would just ask where you get your moral center? - B - ( the non religious one 😉)

[@hazelrush]

@@CedricandBrian My morals are simply an intrinsic part of my mind. I know that hurting others is wrong and that stealing is wrong, and lying and cheating etc...are wrong. I'm sure that my parents thought me these things as a child. As an adult, I taught myself. I realize that some religious people are good due to a fear of Hell. I don't fear Hell. I simply fear disappointing myself by being a bad person. I covet goodness. It makes me happy.

[@hazelrush]

Taught, not thought

[@CedricandBrian]

Those intrinsic values you have are based on something. Like you said, taught. If you look at history, or even other cultures, those values aren’t there. People used to sacrifice children for their beliefs, murder wasn’t necessarily wrong, slavery was common. Pre Judeo-Christian systems were brutal. Weather their is a God or not, the playbook has been good for life on earth for humans. Not perfect, but much better than history. Even the Romans who had a once thriving society fell. They focused the highest power in people. Again, I’m not the religious one, but I can see how society is moving now that we are removing God from it. Thanks again for the comments. We really do appreciate them. - B -

[@hazelrush]

@@CedricandBrian I really truly appreciate your reply. And it's definitely something to think about. I'm always willing to examine all sides and hear all opinions. Thanks. Take care

[@annex318]

There’s also the other 80’s song “Dear God” by Midge Ure, former lead singer of Ultravox. He was also the other half of the songwriting team with Bob Geldof. They were the superpowers that got all of the hit British new wave singers/bands together to form BAND-AID’s classic, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”🙏💗🎄

[@hazelrush]

I just saw this reply and listened to Midge Ure. Beautiful song. Thank you!

[@kristeb74]

I love Midge Ure/Ultravox, but I don't know that song. I'm definitely going to listen. Thanks!

[@butterflymama0838]

I was a teen in the 80's. How have I never heard of this band? Cool song and great reaction/review.

[@andyf2837]

Got to try Oranges & Lemons

[@Ray1969.]

The only true answer is to be agnostic. Nobody knows!! Regardless of that, this song is super creative and XTC is one of the best bands of the 80’s. Their album Skylarking is IMO the best album of the 80’s. They are one of the most innovative and influential bands from that time period. Thx for this one! Peace

[@jimiewilliams7623]

Atheism only means that you do not know. No one who exercises reason, has ever said that god definitely does not exist, only that they believe he doesn't. Believing whether or not you should have a definitive position, is what religion is about, not atheism. Atheism, is just about showing us the money, not denying there is money. Agnostic, is a superfluous word.

[@Ray1969.]

@@jimiewilliams7623 actually the definition of atheism is that you believe there is no god while the definition of agnostic is that you believe that whether there is a god or not is unknown. I simply stated that being agnostic is really the only reasonable belief in that none of us actually know

[@jimiewilliams7623]

You're wrong. Atheism expresses a non belief in a god, not that you believe a god does not exist. Atheism has only one declarative statement, and that is "I don't believe in a god." I'm sorry if you can't grasp that. Saying you don't believe in something, says nothing about whether you believe that something does not exist. I don't believe in Santa, but I that does not mean I believe Santa isn't real. I'm just not convinced that he is real. Words like agnostic, are just there for people who need to be explained things as if they were a five year old.@@Ray1969.

[@jimiewilliams7623]

Atheism means that you are not a theist. Agnostics are not theist, therefore, they are atheist. Agnostic, is a superfluous word made up for people who like to sit on the fence. Sitting on the fence, means that you're not a theist, which makes you an atheist. An atheist who does not have the sand to flat out admit it. There are plenty of words like agnostic, created to buffer the stark reality of situations and existential frames of mind. @@Ray1969.

[@PianoDentist]

Whether you are a theist or an atheist, this position relates to belief, or the lack thereof. If you state you're Gnostic or Agnostic, you are addressing a claim of knowledge, or the lack thereof.. Therefore, If you're asked if you believe in god, the only response is yes or no (or perhaps, "please define what you mean by a god"). To say you are agnostic, is answering a different question - the claim that you do or do not have knowledge of a god. So you can be a Gnostic theist - which means that you have knowledge of a god and you believe in a god. Or you could be an agnostic atheist - which means that you don;t have knowledge of a god and you don't believe in a god. Or any combinations of the above.

[@lyricg8117]

The best song ever written

[@tlacorp.3813]

A classic.

[@MrNaKillshots]

It's always healthy to question everything, especially these days, where most things we learnt have been exposed as lies. I'm not religious, but I respect its sentiments. Andy P is a good person, I'm sure, and questioning stuff shouldn't be construed as anything but the human condition; blithely following something is not the answer. Besides all that, I love the song and the questions it raises.

[@fakefake3113]

I was horribly addicted and possessed by meth when this came out, Ughhhh. I have never laid eyes on this video, but the song spoke for my despair. I was existentially suffering and horribly angry with God, He knows this. I Still Believe by The Call was an antidote to this. Still is a song of strength for me.

[@tlacorp.3813]

XTC are a classic band. Cedric and Brian do a great job of discussing this song especially the part where Cedric explains the genius of our lives as humans at 8:16 and how our location makes life even possible.

[@nicknpammitchell344]

The line at the end that I think Cedrick was about to get to, "and if you're up there you'll perceive, that my heart's here upon my sleeve" ties directly into the whole narrative that Andy Partridge is positing here, writing a "letter" to someone he can't believe in, and won't believe in. Poetic device, indeed. But even after that final rant that Andy sings at the end, being as emphatic as a person can be about not believing, he still says "and if you're up there", not "if you were up there". The narrator is angry and tormented by the sheer anguish and despair that has been on this planet since the ability of a creature to become self aware, reason and contemplate, but is so desperate for answers and solutions to the suffering, he's passive aggressively wishing or even hoping that God is actually "up there", and perhaps will finally put a stop to all of it. As it turns out, Andy never really liked this song. He has stated many times that he thought he completely failed at adequately tackling such a difficult subject. In fact, the song didn't even make the original release of the album Skylarking, which is the greatest album of the 80s and one of the top 10 of all time, in my opinion. It was a B side to a single that was released along with the album, and was discovered by American DJs and the song took off like a Beatles burning records campaign in the 60s after Lennon said "We're more popular than Jesus". I am a lifelong professional touring and recording musician/songwriter, and I tell anyone who will listen that Andy Partridge is the most important and accomplished Pop/Rock songwriter to come after Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Lennon/McCartney and Ray Davies. XTC is the most clever, original, intelligent, humorous, wide ranging and accomplished band since the classic founding geniuses of the 60s/early 70s. After Andy's "era" in this list of most accomplished Pop/Rock songwriters, Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), to me, is unmatched in sheer breadth and importance in the 90s to current day era. As for beliefs, I am a cultural Christian who believes in God as an intelligent designer/creator, but I don't adhere to organized religion, especially very literal/fundamental views. I believe God/intelligent design very logically aligns with evolution. I have always emphasized the word Hope more than Faith. Nobody can possibly know for sure the precise details of how all of this existence and the universe came about. But I chose to be Hopeful. In a nutshell, my "religion" is, live by the golden rule, and the "devil" is in the *details*. That's where all of the conflict, wars, etc. come from. That and the simple human nature of self interest, seeking power, land, money and control.

[@markr1574]

This reaction made me athiest, I can’t believe in you.

[@RikaRoleplay]

I grew up Roman Catholic, but early on I always knew right from wrong once I could handle basic logic, and when I didn't know what do to that would be right or wrong, I would reason it out and think about it really hard, sometimes pondering something a day or two to figure out my own moral compass which happened to align mostly with the rose tinted version of Christianity I was raised with as well with few exceptions Humans are very capable of reasoning, and are very capable of reasoning out what is wrong and right without any outside interference based on pure observation. Sure, without instruction, means more mistakes and learning lessons the hard way. Maybe you kick your sibling and thus hurt them, see their pain, observe it, then logic it out if they did the same to you, it would hurt and you would be in pain, and so now you should not ever do something like that again, and not harm another otherwise both of you would be in pain. Simple mutual cooperation. Thus you think of all and any exceptions at the same time as giving her a proper apology and a token of your sincerity such as a gift you know so you can. This can be done with any moral dilemma, and can be shown as well via the Trolley Problem, as that even among the religious, there is no centered morality system as each person tends to solve the Trolley problems in different ways for each scenario, and kinda develop their own ruleset to apply to the Trolley Problem as they go on, such as lines they will not cross, or sacrifices that must be made, vs a sense of justice, etc. Atheists and Agnostics do the exact same in the scenario and don't have difficulty What happens often is that people will make a parallel between nihilists and atheists as being similar or the same, and they are not. Nihilists don't care about the world or themselves or anything really, much less for a moral compass. Atheists tend to be originally religious people who no longer are religious, and Agnostics tend to be those who don't know or never knew or are questioning their religion (possibly being Atheist in the future). Atheists who were labeled atheists but want to believe are different from logical Atheists who believe religion to be a social construct / hoax, which is different from Atheists who then pretend to be religious and fool everyone for the perks of being religious while not actually following the faith or sacrificing which is bad for both the religion they pretend to follow, and atheists, and all of society as they tend to the the worst of the worst among us humans (such as predators, conmen/ frauds, the corrupt, those drunk on their authority or power, the embezzlers/ manipulators, etc.) I fell away from the faith due to realizing my good morales didn't align with Christianity, as the history and past of the religion is marred in terrible sacrifices, terrible acts far worse than modern war crimes, corrupt and evil laws and commandments, absolutes that have no exceptions, a selfish minded punishment system of heaven and hell, the current problems with those in the church in power, and especially in the past such as some popes who turned the Vatican into a literal brothel of sin as a small small example, or the animal trials in the name of the church. I first lost faith a bit and was questioning after hearing about the past of what the Church and Popes did historically, then learning scientifically many events described by the bible are contradicted by reality and easily explained by a lack of knowledge by ancient civilizations, but even though I stopped going to church, I still believed in God from the bible, until I actually read the bible and all the twisted evils from it as well. I still believed in a God for a while, until I realized every other god from other religions still carry the same loft and weight, and I could easily create such a god in my head. Finally it clicked, "God" is what people think of them to be, each person has their own ideal moral compass of which they align "God" to, and thus try to make everyone else think that same "God" is the true god, as it is their god, and not another, even if it is the same religion, each individual has their own biased view of what "God" is. Which one is correct? Or are we all humans, and flawed, therefore none of our perceptions of god can ever be true? Thus, there is no god otherwise we all would have a unified way of finding god, and the closest thing to that we have is observation, logic, reasoning, mathematics, science, history, philosophy, the arts, and the like. We each keep thinking that there is one true "GOD", writing books about them and preaching about what we think they would like best, sometimes for perks or profit, other times out of desperation of keeping to the faith and not losing faith (and thus hope) in this cold and largely uncaring world. We want to hope that after we die, there is someone, or something there, but it is likely the same cold sleep we slept before we were born, null and void and painless and empty and conclusive. I have seen the truth numerous times glaring at me since I could think, and it stings knowing I could have figured this out earlier in life instead of after my Confirmation class of 12+ years of Catholic School and Church and such when we all could be working to make the world better instead of praying for it to be better. That is my moral compass and my journey for my faith, and I classify myself as an Agnostic, 50/50 a Theist of a creator similar to "The Egg" story/ religion, and the other 50 going towards Atheism which is how I live my daily life, in the absence of evidence, I have an absence of belief till proven otherwise or reasoned otherwise.

[@CedricandBrian]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I was on a similar path as you for many years. When I was in my 20s, I thought I knew a lot more than I really did. While I am still not religious, my acceptance of religious people has grown. The Hollywood version of religion just didn’t pan out. I realized they had an agenda just as they do now, and that it was against religion for the most part. You say that you reason out you were morality, but I would venture to say that it is grounded in the religion you were brought up in. If you look at history, people reasoned that it was OK to pillage other societies for the betterment of their society. You talk about bumps along the way, as if that isn’t a big deal, but history tells us otherwise. The basic tenants of religion, especially todays Judeo-Christian religion, is that we are all made in the image of God, and should treat each other as such. Those tenants alone have civilized much of western society over the past 2000 years. Your examples of religion being flawed are due to the fact that humans are flawed, but in history, I would say the best civilizations, are based on the Judeo Christian societies. Are they perfect, no. But I think history teaches us that all in all they have produced better societies overall and I would point to modern society in the west one the loss of religion leading to the problems we are having now. Everybody seems to have their truth. And again, I am not a religious person. Thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@74artgrrl]

Same here. I’m agnostic. No walking human can tell me god exists in the constraints humans have dreamed up and no human can tell me god doesn’t exist in some form. Because the human race is too lowly to have the capability to know. Look at how we treat one another. That tells you how “advanced “ we think we know we are.

[@Danishbassist]

Always great to see you guys

[@CedricandBrian]

👍🏾👍🏾 - C -

[@bravestarr8857]

It's evolution, baby!

[@jimbrentar]

there's a lot of people who think like this. i'm a believer, but the amount of evil in the world, some done in the name of God, is an enormous challenge to religious belief. this song reflects that challenge very well

[@JB77776]

🤣 seeing you squirm in your seat was great. Thanks for the great content.

[@emcsquared8681]

The song is very complex, the line “did you make disease” is a very good question, if god made all living things then he made bone cancer that slowly and painfully kills children. The “free will” argument Christians like to use goes out the window. I’m an Atheist because basic logic and reason dictates there’s no god or gods. It’s all mythology.

[@CedricandBrian]

Thank you for taking the time to comment my friend. As the Christian on our channel, I respect everyone’s thoughts on God and religion. Just to share my beliefs, as a Christian, I believe God created the world to be perfection, but it was the fall of Adam and Eve that separated us from God‘s intentions for the world… bringing about evil; disease; famine; death; etc., etc. I completely understand your point about logic and reason, but it’s logic and reason that enables me to have a faith in God, or Intelligent Design because it takes more faith for me to believe that things just “happened“ without a Creator being behind all of it. This is a very short response, but I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts, leave a comment, and take the time to watch our channel. Make it a great day. - C -

[@emcsquared8681]

@@CedricandBrian my rebuttal would be that it takes no faith at all to accept the science behind the Big Bang and evolution where as to believe an invisible wizard poofed everything into existence is based on nothing but faith.

[@CedricandBrian]

Lol, Cedric gives you an honest response about his faith and you come back with the shallow response about the Big Bang being science. I think you better look up science. - B -

[@emcsquared8681]

@@CedricandBrian wrong, he gave me a fake and made up response about how it takes more faith to accept science facts than it does to believe in wizards. I think it may be you that needs to look up what science is and isn’t, and it isn’t magic.

[@nielnielsen4822]

@@CedricandBrian Now you just have to show evidence that there was a "world to be perfection" and you'd have something.

[@JamesMichael333]

I believe in God and Jesus. But i always loved this song. It’s what everyone goes through at some point in their life when they see the pains and disease and suffering in the world. You question your faith. Neil Degrasse Tyson said that “if this world has so much suffering, kids born with cancer, etc, then maybe God isn’t all good, OR maybe God isn’t all powerful”. Something to that effect. It definitely makes you think.

[@thefabulousmula]

these chads definitely care more about the price of beer

[@MelonMcGee]

What loving God just allowed people's children in Maui to burn alive alone in their homes hugging their dogs? Is it "elite" to have questions like that or is it just human? Do you really think dismissing pain and doubts, and labeling people elite will win them over, or does it just help you feel superior? And speaking of a "code of conduct," which reason is better for doing good in the world? Because you love and have empathy for your fellow humans? Or because you're afraid not doing good will result in your own eternal damnation? Each of us wrestles with these questions. Each of us is on our own journey to the truth. I'm tired of smug people condeming the splinter in others' eyes while ignoring the log in their own.

[@mikewalker2016]

Coming from the days when Brian and I would talk about these things, I remember this song and took it as a struggle to make sense out of some of those ultimate questions. There are good responses but I understand why people ask these questions. I do find it interesting that people in the poorest and war torn countries they don't ask these same questions. These are questions by academics. A few things to throw out there: 1. "Good morning world" comes from Brian's love of Robin Williams. 2. The name "Israel" means in Hebrew "struggle with God' - so nothing wrong with struggling. and 3. "Senses Working Overtime" was a better song that XTC sang. I liked that their music was technically good. I would have liked to have met Cedric. Seems like a great guy!

[@outernothingness1177]

"If I understood God completely, He's way too small." That was a great comment. But it's a way of reasoning that seems way too subtle to reach those People Allegedly Speaking In God's Name. (Yes: consider yourself included, Lauren Boebert.) I'm a firm believer, and I love this song for taking serious questions seriously. I don't see it as a song about denying God ("I know it ain't, and so do You"), but as a song about the sad pettiness of baseless and intolerant human claims about God being used against other humans. We should be able to to better.

[@Mariana-st2kr]

is this about philosophy or the awesome incredible music of XTC?

[@CedricandBrian]

Great question. I I guess it boils down to how you interpret their music, and our reaction. If you lean heavily toward philosophy; it becomes philosophical. If you focus on their incredible music; it’s about their music. It could be a combination of both. Regardless, thank you for taking the time to watch our reaction and make it a great day 👍🏾. - C -

[@eldonstrackeii7892]

'making mankind after we made you' refers to every act and thought of God being based on what man has put into writing ir conveyed through words. Nobody is born with innate knowlege of religion... they are taught by other people. We are the product of what we are told.

[@CedricandBrian]

🔥👍🏾. - C -

[@74artgrrl]

I’m agnostic. Let me explain why that is…it’s because I’m a humble human. And, as a humble human I don’t believe we are meant to know everything. Sure, we can discover planets and we can see atoms splitting under a microscope but I, personally, as a human being also understand that we’ve gotten a lot wrong in our history. Right? We’re very fallible. We’ve done terrible things as a human race and have proven to be arrogant, greedy and ignorant. We’ve also been obnoxious. I see all this and I’m agnostic because I don’t proclaim to know what we can’t possibly know. Right? You may have comfort in your religion, in your community. And that can be very real for you. But that can’t be prescribed to everyone because your chosen religion is not based in reality. I’m not criticizing people who have a close relationship to their god(s) and the communities surrounding them. I’ll respect your comfort with your chosen god and that closeness you feel within it. But please respect my opinion in that YOU don’t know, for certain. Therefore don’t dictate how I live my life by your chosen religious guidelines.

[@CedricandBrian]

I’m not religious either, but a society can not function or survive without guidelines. Most healthy societies have guidelines based around a religious ideology whether they want to believe it or not. The breakdown of those guidelines have always destroyed those societies. The brilliance of the US is that you can have societies within a society. Some will thrive and others will not. If we keep a broad overarching ethos on the national level based on these guidelines but allow the smaller communities to experiment within those guidelines, we will continue to survive. If we force the smaller communities into one system, or lose the national broad ethos, based on common morals, this experiment will fail. I could be wrong, and something closer to anarchy might work, but history and common sense make me think it would not. Thanks for watching and commenting. - B -

[@74artgrrl]

@@CedricandBrian yes. I agree wholeheartedly with that. 👍🏼

[@tlacorp.3813]

The most English and most inventive English guitar band.

[@sergepuis1368]

Best song ever

[@MyName-nx1jj]

Creation is the simpleton's (not he Mayor of) explanation of what they cannot fathom.

[@CedricandBrian]

Thanks 👍🏾. - C -

[@kasperg5634]

Intelligent design? Research evolution (not just what your pastor tells you) Earth's orbit 200 miles closer to the sun? Research Perihelion/aphelion Try reading more than one book. The universe is awesome without all this made up crap.

[@CedricandBrian]

I’ll have to check out a few of those books. Thank you for watching our channel, and taking the time to comment. - C -

[@DaleBrose]

Great 80's band all around. But, too the subject matter. As a 57 year old, the more I learn about the origins of Judaism and Christianity the more the words ring true. In fact, between Jews, Christians and Muslims whom all claim to believe in the same god, they cannot even agree and now, people do not fight over what they believe, they kill in the name of what they believe and justify it through god. As an atheist, I can hear the words as saying, while we can not really ever know if there is or is not a creator god or gods, the idea that humans that occupy and insignificant part of the cosmos, would dare think they understand or have any relationship with such a god is silly. So what is the song saying, he is talking to a creator god to tell him that he should maybe look at what humans are doing in his name because they think they have some direct line to a creator god when the creator god has on interest in what humans are doing. The level of ego it takes for humans to think a creator god or gods have any interest in humanity and a minor planet in an obscure corner of the universe is unimaginable to me. When you speak of a Code of Conduct, the one you know of as Judeo-Chistian has its roots in theologies like Zoroastrianism that goes back to the 6th century BCE. So say that pre-Jewish or pre-Christian people did not have a code of conduct is silly. But, the Christian church has so much blood on it's hands over its existence, to call something a Judeo-Christian code of conduct is an oxymoron. But this takes us right back to the song, while there may indeed be a creator god or gods, humans created one that fit their needs.

[@Tracey..H]

The Bible saved my life!!!

[@miked9000]

he is not talking to god, he is talking to you

[@CedricandBrian]

It’s funny because the first line says, “Dear God, hope you got my letter. . .” I haven’t been called god since I cut my hair. 🙄- B -

[@jowilkie6059]

Couldn't imagine this song doing very well in America as its very God Squaddish

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

I think there is a God, but what God is happens to be closer than you think. Read Neville Goddard. Another who has been accused of being atheist, a crackpot etc etc . There is a higher power, and we all are it. btw LOVE XTC musical genius time after time.

[@djnotokay7677]

8:30 heres the thing i think a lot of theists misunderstand. If this never happened, we would not be aware. There infinite is potential for life out there being created being crushed, those future sentient beings that might have lived had their planet stayed in proper orbit will never be aware that they may had a chance to exist at some point. It happened to us, and that is the reason we are aware of it.

[@mokumboi19]

Just FYI: He's not actually speaking to God in the song. He's speaking to people about their fake religiosity.

[@normhiscock14]

Thanks for the discussion and that song was given some thought. Intelligent design is one thing. And that is unfortunately open to interpretation. There are many religions and cultures. It's human's interpretation of whatever that is, that's the discussion here. I don't think he's blaming God, he's saying humans are the source of destruction. Humans invented God to make sense of our existence. And that "religion" was invented to control others. I think throwing stones at others who do or do not believe is judgment. And who are we to judge others? Isn't everyone elitist if they are passing judgement on others?

[@shannongarcia970]

I got one called G.O.D for you , by Mesus.

[@CedricandBrian]

Thank you Shannon. We will have to check that one out 👍🏾. - C -

[@jowilkie6059]

It's the letters of ecstacy xtc say it out loud. Maybe it's an accent thing

[@wintermoonomen]

I can't quite agree, so MANY wars and genocides that have been committed in the name of god. With much conviction with so many Christians fighting against one another because God is on THEIR side. *****The Bible is suppose to have been written by man under God's direction yet the first chapter of the Bible Genesis is full of so many errors (on the first day god already distinguishes night and day and yet the sun has not been made until the fourth day of creation. If you weren't worshipping this god (let's say you were born from infancy into another belief system at no fault of your own) your community was either captured and you were put into slavery because God said to HIS people they can do that or your community was murdered for being something different - not to mention God also loves flesh sacrifices (all those animals sacrificed because that's the way God said it had to be done (I'm sure god could have come up with a different method for repentance, after all god is the one that decided it has to be this way. We are conditioned to believe that everything has to be made by a creator, except for the creator himself - really? Again we are conditioned to believe this. Just saying for a perfect being his book has a lot of flaws in it.

[@eximusic]

Talking to a God you don't believe in is a poetic device (like the bible). The absurdity of a loving God is best expressed with a conversation with it.

[@nicknpammitchell344]

This point along with the line at the end that I think Cedrick was about to get to, "and if you're up there you'll perceive, that my heart's here upon my sleeve" ties *directly* into the whole narrative that Andy Partridge is positing here, writing a "letter" to someone he can't believe in, and won't believe in. Poetic device, indeed. But even after that final rant that Andy sings at the end, being as emphatic as a person can be about not believing, he still says "and if you're up there", not "if you *were* up there". The narrator is angry and tormented by the sheer anguish and despair that has been on this planet since the ability of a creature to become self aware, reason and contemplate, but is so desperate for answers and solutions to the suffering, he's passive aggressively wishing or even *hoping* that God is actually "up there", and perhaps will finally put a stop to all of it. As it turns out, Andy never really liked this song. He has stated many times that he thought he completely failed at adequately tackling such a difficult subject. In fact, the song didn't even make the original release of the album Skylarking, which is the greatest album of the 80s and one of the top 10 of all time, in my opinion. It was a B side to a single that was released along with the album, and was discovered by American DJs and the song took off like a Beatles burning records campaign in the 60s after Lennon said "We're more popular than Jesus". I am a lifelong professional touring and recording musician, and I tell anyone who will listen that Andy Partridge is the most important Pop songwriter to come after Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Lennon/McCartney and Ray Davies. XTC is the most clever, original, intelligent, humorous, wide ranging and accomplished band since the classic founding geniuses of the 60s/early 70s. As for beliefs, I am a cultural Christian who believes in God as an intelligent designer/creator, but I don't adhere to organized religion, especially very literal/fundamental views. I believe God/intelligent design very logically aligns with evolution. I have always emphasized the word Hope more than Faith. Nobody can possibly know for sure the precise details of how all of this existence and the universe came about. But I chose to be Hopeful. In a nutshell, my "religion" is, live by the golden rule, and the "devil" is in the *details*. That's where all of the conflict, wars, etc. come from. That and the simple human nature of seeking power, land, money and control.

[@eximusic]

@@nicknpammitchell344 Well you've successfully molded an XTC song into your own personal view. Congrats, humans have been doing that for centuries. Homo sapiens have been around 300,000 years, but we only know what we believed since the advent of writing around 5-6 thousand years ago. That and cave paintings and burial rituals which don't tell us the details. All early religions either believed in men, women, animals as gods in the sky. They eventually boiled it down to a single man. With attributes that are projections of of human attributes. Anger, design, creating, loving, jealous, etc. all human attributes. Yes, humans are the only thing we know that create things. Michelangelo, Leonardo, etc. Humans are designers. Intelligence is an emergent property of biological brains. The god of the bible wrestled with Jacob, walked with Adam, showed his backside to Moses, sent Satan his angel to persecute Job. Then comes the Greek world crashing into the middle east with neo-Platonism and theologians describe the monotheistic god as omniscient, omnipresent, the first mover, basically the god you describe. But the origins of the concept before the "modification" was an emotional man in the sky. Yahweh, son of El in the Sumerian and Canaanite religions before the Hebrews even became a separate tribe. Asherah his mother. Baal his brother. If the source of the entire concept is a projection of our humanness into the sky, I don't know why later modifications to that concept are somehow more feasible. Humans are pattern seeking animals, and story tellers. If you seen design in nature, it's because that's our experience of how we make things come to be.

[@PullaWheel]

I interpret the line "Did you make Mankind after we made you?" Almost like, the Christian God for example it shapes those who believe in it. Did the concept of a God create Mankind as it is after we made the concept?

[@PullaWheel]

I'm a woman of science, who believes there's always room in our current understanding of everything for there to be an intelligent designer of this universe. It's far too perfect and the odds are too great to throw out the possibility. I do think all the Gods we know are constructs entirely, things we've made to help us understand and navigate the world happier and that's fine. That's a wonderful beautiful thing despite the ugly things we do with like like everything else we get our hands on. If we found life on other planets they might have Gods of their own and maybe we're all wrong. Whatever designer made this place we haven't seen or heard, or maybe has been right in front of us this whole time. It could be some vast being outside the universe, it could be the universe itself. It's this wonderful vast unintelligible beautiful thing. It's just as much a creator as much as it's a destroyer. And we're some of the most advanced beautiful structures and systems it's formed with it's gases and particles. Everything we want a God to do we can do. Technically it's not impossible for us to cure anything, or defeat hunger or death. It takes a while of creating and thinking and discovery but we can do it someday. We can donate to charities and such to help many different groups. Neurons are always being replaced and we're still us, if we just interfered and made some kinda artificial neurons, replacing the organic ones one at a time over a span of time eventually we'd have human beings with computers as brains who are basically now immortal and can be put into any artificial body they want. If anything I think we're the Gods or another outlet for them to keep making and doing wonderful things.

[@Tracey..H]

Andy partridge is full of pride in this video. Filing his nails. Personally I know there’s a God. Pseudo intellectual is exactly who AP is. Which is dull and passe’ to me. Suprised there’s not more videos regarding this song. Funny it was the height of their career yet this song killed that career?!?

[@Surprisemotherfcuker91]

If you know something to be true, then you'll be able to prove it with evidence so please go ahead? If you can't provide clear evidence then you don't know, and you believe which I suspect is the case.

[@usingerinamoapensis180]

No No NO. The worst unlearned intelligent design argument ever Cedric

[@Jermbuf14]

Why do we need god or religion to be accountable? I want to be a good person to be a good person. If you need a higher power to tell you to be a good person...please keep believing.

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

This speaks to dogma and the problems with strict dogma and the evil it has produced

[@bluestar317]

You haven’t brought the evidence you discovered that changed your mind since college.

[@jimiewilliams7623]

Most people do not believe in intelligent design in nature. The things in your room appear designed, because you have examples of them being designed. If a cave man saw a watch, he wouldn't have any reason to doubt that it was created through natural processes, such as mountains and streams. He would need certain experiences and examples, to believe otherwise. He wouldn't just look around and asks his fellow cave men, "Who made this?" He would be fascinated and perplexed. Also, asking questions of a fictional being, is nothing new. God is a concept that pervades mankind, and questioning such a concept by personalizing it, is what most religions are all about. They create the concept of a god, then they question the god, and then they give the god's answer. I never saw a god, but I've seen plenty of preachers and believers speaking on a god's behalf, through text and myths that were written down or spoken by men and women.

[@GeneralVeers]

I believe in God but I love this song, it gets me emotional, he really sings his heart out and the lyrics are full of pain and anguish and cynicism. I love it.

[@user-cb4ro7yq7i]

I'd say this song is just angry common sense

[@Jermbuf14]

You should have him react to personal jesus by bad religion, that's another thinker

[@1236547899874563211]

Okay. I tiedSO HARD TO BE ON YOUR FIND. YOU FAILED.

[@russwr4946]

god is every thought not responded to

[@Caseyd1966]

I'm an athiest because the idea of god makes no logical or scientific sense, not because people of different religions fight over god.

[@cleverbobby]

I strongly disagree that suggesting 'Man created God' is, at least in this context, a desire for 'control'. If anything, I think the opposite: Believing in an Abrahamic God generally places man at the pinnacle of life on Earth. On the other hand, acknowledging that we're merely a random species who came up with our own explanations for life (like this song)... puts us into a more humble place in the universe. Oh, and XTC rules!

[@DjWellDressedMan]

The singer is an Atheist and so am I, YOU GUYS are really missing the point here and in life. "Dear God, I can't believe in- I don't believe in- I won't believe in Heaven and Hell No saints, no sinners, no devil as well No pearly gates, no thorny crown You're always letting us humans down..."

[@CedricandBrian]

We get it. If you can’t see it,it must not be real. Very original. - B -

[@iggydaddies3831]

YOUR STATEMENT ABOUT ATHEIST COULD NOT BE MORE WRONG.

[@edcote]

200 miles? The difference between aphelion and perihelion is 1 400 000 miles in a year.

[@bobmiller4818]

Lol

[@anthonyramirez9003]

Ha ha also with this. I have to. I'm really sorry but I have to.. So @4:40 he starts talking about everything having a creator and something creating it. So who created god? So what did it just pop into existence. So was go just like Bamm, Here I am. Now I'm going to make stuff. By his own argument. If it makes sense that everything is created. Then god is created.

[@rodneycraft1005]

Physics explain everything. AI is a bad joke. Wake up. The singer has SERIOUS questions for your jesus. So do I.

[@williamburnham3659]

Of course there is no intelligent design😊😊😊😊

[@fedos]

I love when people who haven't escaped the demon-worshipping cult yet can't understand the concept of addressing your grievances to the non-existent entity that you wre previously brainwashed into believing the existence of.

[@anthonyramirez9003]

The problem of god is not if there is one. But what god does. Or doesn't do. A father looks after his Children. A Mother looks after her Children. What does "god" look after?

[@CedricandBrian]

Thank you again. Again, as a Christian, I believe God is my heavenly father, and similar to my earthly father, I believe His role is to encourage; protect; and discipline us along with a host of other “fatherly“ duties. But, I don’t want to minimize God by asking what He can do for me; but the real question is, what am I doing to glorify Him? This belief is based upon me being a Christian, and a follower of God‘s word (the Bible). - C -

[@anthonyramirez9003]

@@CedricandBrian And how is that working out for humanity? Maybe you should expand your mind beyond some book. jesus is not god. So by being a "christian" you are not following god. But a version of him that you reconcile to be god. And I do use lower case. Either you follow god's word, or jesus. I am not my father's son. So neither is jesus. So do you believe in god, or do you believe in jesus? You can not have it both ways. A king of kings is god. Not jesus.

[@martinshephard6317]

I don’t think he’s talking to god, I think he’s pointing out the futility of believing in one. The human race just can’t wait to destroy itself and if there was a god then I’d hope he wouldn’t sit on the sidelines and watch his creation rip itself apart, if we have a creator (which we don’t) whats the point in us being an experiment?

[@user-et1cm4su7m]

A classic case of confirmation bias

[@CedricandBrian]

OK. Just so I know, which bias, or biases, were we confirming? Thank you for taking the time to watch our channel. - C -

[@duncantanguay4820]

Also why can't God be a female???????

[@CedricandBrian]

Great question. In our PC culture, the best way to figure out a person’s pronouns is to ask, or at least wait for them to tell you. In the Christian Bible, when God reveals Himself, He does so as Father and Son, not Mother and Daughter. Now, if you believe the Bible is the word of God, then that settles it. If you don’t believe in the Bible, then it allows you to continue to engage in the discussion. - C -

[@TheCottonballs123]

Missing the point entirely

[@squattystx]

You guys didn’t make any decent points. This song kicked your butt.

[@CedricandBrian]

So “this song kicked your butt” falls under the category of being a decent point? - C -

[@CedricandBrian]

No, we didn’t make any points you agree with. But thanks for commenting. - B -

[@stevegirardmedia2255]

Can't blame God, because he doesn't exist. That's kinda the point of the entire song. Of course the secondary point is the blame Partridge carries for humans for continuing to believe in religion, and making it our biggest reason for hate.

[@CrazyDiamond21216]

I appreciate the discussion by Cedric and Brian, but to keep focusing on why the protagonist of the song is singing to someone he does not believe in, totally misses the point. He most likely did, or even still does, believe in a higher power that has created everything. He just no longer ascribes to a man-made deity as the reason why. Especially not one who is purported to love us, as long as we, for lack of a better phrase, "kiss his ass." Isn't that the main tenant of Christianity? I can be the best possible person, love and be faithful to my wife, raise my children in a good home, give to charity, never commit one indecent act...but if I don't "give" my soul to God, I'm doomed to hell? A serial killer, who on his deathbed, takes Jesus Christ as his savior has a better chance than I would to go to heaven. What kind of nonsense is that? So, in my opinion, that's the point of the song. If there is a God, who has given us a moral code so that we do know right from wrong, but then also has given us free will to choose...well that's cool. But at that point, we're just a science experiment. And the protagonist is no longer going to be a participant in the scam of a man-made a deity who's true motives are unknown. Truth is, with over 4,000 religions, no one really knows what created us. We all latch onto something to attempt to make our existence make sense. The trap is this: the pomposity of many believers of ANY religion (although the "Big 3" seem to be the main culprits) that they are right and anyone else is wrong. Even the subsects of those religions can't agree on basic things. If everybody is right, then everybody is wrong.

[@kobbyfoof]

XTC is one of the greatest bands ever and they deserve better than these two going off about “elites” and transgender pronouns. Your American flag shirt represents more than just your narrow “Judeo-Christian” views. You can have your arrogant faith - I’m happy being a humble atheist who freely admits that there are mysteries in this universe that we’ll never understand.

[@duncantanguay4820]

Andy partige agnostic also Muslims worship the same God I'm a pagan I worship mother earth one God

[@paulaleckey1968]

Nope! God loves us all and does NOT judge those who question his intent. There are no rules in Loving God, and suggesting that anyone who questions him falls into an elitist or left-leaning category is ANYTHING but Christian. It's just messed up and you know it... Leave politics out of it!!

[@willd6215]

I go with God doesn't exist just like any unproven thing like the fairies of Jupiter

[@michealbrophy2226]

He addresses the the non existent God within the lyrics. You are attempting being reasonable but the motivated reasoning is a little glaring.

[@maine420grow8]

Blaming god is dumb. Why would you blame something that doesn't exist? Like saying "the devil made me do it"

[@Teraxx23]

Ridiculous take, guy on right...the primary reason for human on human conflict is religion, it's been proven for thousands of years, no other 'reason' for human conflict would take its place in terms of significance.

[@CedricandBrian]

The primary reasons for human on human conflict are, but not limited to, information conflicts, values conflicts, interest conflicts, relationship conflicts, and structural conflicts. The ones I listed, and any others you think of, can be attributed to the fact that man is sinful in his nature. We sin because we are sinners. We are all born with a nature that produces sin. - C -

[@daretoknow1988]

@@CedricandBrian Sin is an imaginary disease to sell you an imaginary cure.

[@CedricandBrian]

@@daretoknow1988 Pick a synonym that works for you: Crime, offense, wrongdoing, error, lapse, misdeed, transgression, misdoing scandal, violation, wrong, breach, dereliction, failing, fault, guilt, lawbreaking, malefaction, trespass, veniality, immoral act, evil-doing, etc, etc. - C -

[@wyvernwood5675]

I'm agnostic, but blaming religion for conflict I think misses the mark. It's the usual suspects of greed, fear, hate, anger etc. Religion is the justification that's often tacked on to sell it to the masses.

[@hazelrush]

​@@daretoknow1988 This is the most awesome statement I've heard in a very long time. You are truly one worth listening to. Thank you for such majestic insight.

[@JB77776]

Funny that you say people aren't going to stone you to death for your beliefs. People made bomb threats over this song. So many people were upset they took it off its original album. Religion is no different today. You still hate people that are different than you.

[@johnmcjunkin4613]

Provoking. Regarding GOD, according to the Torah, the Holy Bible, and the Quran, it is stated, as the first of the three truths in all three Abrahamic religions, that GOD is perfect, in every known way, and thus, is incapable of making mistakes, so it is considered futile, as well as a sinful abomination, to accuse GOD of such atrocities. The second truth, is that GOD gave all of humanity free will, to think, and act, as we choose to, therefore GOD does not have a hand in our own sins, or transgressions. Lastly, the third truth about GOD, according to the scholars in all three religions, though GOD does love each, and every one, of HIS children, as we are all created by GOD, and though, GOD would like for us to return to HIM, of our own free will, like any good parent, GOD refuses to force us, to come back to HIM, but will only plead. So the conclusion as to what exactly is hell, it is the complete and permanent separation from GOD, for all eternity, which means the absence of all things. One scholar wrote: Think of hell as having all of your senses removed, then being in a void where you will never be in contact with anyone or anything, not even a grain of sand, to feel connected to, nor even a breeze of air to touch your skin. Then emptiness of all sounds, neither your cries and screams of anguish, nor even your own heartbeat, shall you hear. and no air to breath, to find relief from the suffocation of your hollowed emptiness. Now imagine all it, lasting for all eternity. The scholar then remarked, "It is then, when you would even wish, that hell was actually full of demons and fire, for at least, that would even be a more welcomed and bearable existence, than the complete absence of GOD!"

[@CedricandBrian]

Thank you for that insightful comment, John. Yes, in the end, it all comes down to our free will and we have to be accountable for the choices we make. - C -

[@jeffstorey9147]

Ugh.

[@calvin20877]

You speak of the Bible and Joe Biden! There is a scripture in the Bible Judge not lest ye be judged” is a Bible verse from Matthew 7:1. In this verse, Jesus says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged”. People have prejudge me, but I show grace. 🙏🏾🙏🏻🙏

[@CedricandBrian]

Thank you for watching our channel. Are you referring to the part of the video where we talked about Joe Biden being silent about the abortion, or murder, of children? Pointing out simple facts like the Earth is round; 2+2 = 5; the law of gravity exists, etc., etc. isn’t passing judgment when it’s simply stating facts based upon empirical evidence. Not to be combative, but do you feel it’s OK to murder children inside, or outside the womb? I personally stated in the video that, similar to the apostle Paul, I have shortcomings and faults that I need forgiveness for, and need to repent for, but I don’t shy away when someone points out the transgressions in my life. The Bible passage that talks about, “not judging each other“ can’t be used as a protective barrier, or shield, for people to hide behind, and murder children along with other sins. Do you agree? - C -

[@StuartJ]

@@CedricandBrian There is no right and wrong, good or bad. It's entirely subjective. The universe doesn't care.

[@CedricandBrian]

@@StuartJ So you’re saying murder, theft, and rape are not universally, accepted as being wrong, or immoral? - C -

[@StuartJ]

​@@CedricandBrian Your making out that "bad things" is a thing. It's not; it's a point of view. If a tiger eats me, is that wrong? It wasn't for the tiger. It got the nourishment it needed to live on.

[@CedricandBrian]

@@StuartJ You’re conflating what happened to Laken Riley with some person being devoured by a tiger because he didn’t have enough common sense to stay with the rest of the group?? So, using your example, the tiger got its “nourishment“ by devouring a human being; and the illegal immigrant, who took Laken Riley‘s life received what exactly? Tigers tend to attack humans only while hunting or when they feel threatened. If a human comes too close and surprises a sleeping or feeding tiger, or a tigress with her cubs, the tiger is prone to respond with aggression. Bottom line, are YOU the type of individual who would take a life? If so, please explain why, because you definitely belong on some psychologists couch to get deeper inside your mind if you can’t process the taking of a human life as “wrong.” - C -

[@ldandha]

Seriously, can we get rid of this while guy?

[@Joutsenblood]

Really? The why do you talk about god if you are an atheist? Because we live in a society dominated by christianity, we have to, to push against it. Talk to god in thisbsong is not like talking to your partner, is like talking to the joker or zeus, is referencial not literal

[@frankieboy8414]

Too much pausing. Unwatchable.

[@CedricandBrian]

Ironically, that’s exactly why a lot of other people do watch,our channel, but that’s the beauty of this KZbin platform because there are thousands of content creators and everyone will find one they can relate to. Thanks for giving us a shot. - C -

[@tomski120]

Erm it's a reaction 😮 go watch the video if you don't want it interrupted

[@johnthompson7836]

I Do not believe in god because of common sense. tell me how noah build an ark that housed two of every animal, how do you not find that ridiculous?

[@greghoff1359]

Cedric, there is no god. Sorry for the time you’ve wasted.

[@CedricandBrian]

Thank you for your concern, but there hasn’t been any time wasted, nor have I been inconvenienced in any way. Thank you for watching our channel, and taking the time to leave a comment. Make it a great day. - C -

[@sbanks4421]

If there were any proof that a “God” exists, you wouldn't believe in it -- you'd have knowledge of it. Along with proof and evidence. You wouldn't need faith, because you'd have facts. These facts could then be proven to anyone else. They could be repeated, tested and demonstrated. What you have is a story that you want to believe. That's it.

[@CedricandBrian]

Thank you for watching our channel, and taking time to leave a comment 👍🏾. - C -