Ian Anderson Interview: 'The Zealot Gene' | The Concept Album | Revisiting 'Passion Play' Movie

In this interview Ian Anderson answers questions on the new Jethro Tull album 'The Zealot Gene', speaks on the Concept Album and informs us he is writing a NEW concept album. And we talk briefly about revisiting the 'Passion Play' movie project.
If you appreciate the work that goes into my videos, please support my channel. You can -
Become a Patron! - Be part of a Classic Rock Community!
There is a fine body of work on there now. / classicrock
Make a one-time donation!
Help me to make more videos or buy stuff to annoy my wife with and unbox on my channel: www.paypal.com...
Gift me something to unbox from my Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.co....
Buy me a coffee.
All that talk is thirsty work: ko-fi.com/clas...
Like the Facebook page:
I add stuff on a daily basis: / 1968rock
All music used in my videos come from the Free Music Archive: freemusicarchiv...
#jethrotull #thezealotgene #interview

[@stuarthecht8196]

Excellent interview, Barry, and congratulations! I doubt Ian gets interviewed by many intellectual equals, but you are certainly one of them. As much as I like Ian, I believe he is used to dominating interviews, but your obvious intelligence and linguistic prowess, especially as evidenced in many of your other videos, probably made him somewhat uncomfortable and challenged. All that being said, Ian is a great man, and you provided an awesome service to your viewers by conducting this interview.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you

[@themediumcheese]

Weird seeing Ian Anderson interviewing himself

[@jimmycampbell78]

Congratulations on getting an interview with Ian Anderson, this was terrific. Remarkable stuff.

[@ejc636]

Wow Barry. To get Mr Anderson on your channel. Absolutely beautiful.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you kindly

[@baronnorbert6474]

An interview with Ian Anderson was something I've always wanted to do in my 15-year career as a music critic, so I'm a little jealous. Well done!

[@glennpowell3444]

Just out of interest who is the most intersting / entertaining you have.?

[@baronnorbert6474]

@@glennpowell3444 Randy Bachman of BTO/Guess Who? was great, also Larkin Poe was fun (met them multiple times when they had just done their EPs to second album - the nicest people out there), Jonathan Jeremiah and I got along very well.

[@glennpowell3444]

@@baronnorbert6474 Backman Turner Overdrive yes.You have a pretty cool career there.

[@JamesW225]

Although a giant admirer of anderson , i feel the same about him as any other human being talking about philosophy. Refer to the old adage...opinions are like....well you know. Although listening to this i find his views interesting and tend to agree with many of his points. My agreement , or yours , have no effect on whatever truth is. Truth resides in its pristine state regardless of our opinions. We simply are intrigued in our search for truths self ascribed sanctity. Hey , Ian...thanks for the body of work you have given us and cudos to your perserverance. I hope to see you preform once again.

[@rushbravado1972]

That was a great interview. I think one could listen to Ian Anderson talk about theology all day. Thrilled that you were able to do this interview with him. Very well done Barry.

[@SwisstedChef2018]

Indeed

[@bonniebailey3795]

Ian always speaks with the intellectual elegance of a true genius. Wonderful interview!! Well done, sir.

[@luisreyguerrero6511]

Great comment!!

[@luisreyguerrero6511]

Great comment!!

[@bonniebailey3795]

@@luisreyguerrero6511 Thanks Mr. Guerrero. Tull Rules!

[@peterspalda1077]

wow, stoked to hear that IA is already working on a new Tull album...

[@NuntiusLegis]

I hope it won't be delayed as much as The Zealot Gene.

[@peterspalda1077]

@@NuntiusLegis yup, drove me crazy to read that the album is ready to go like 4 years or so ago and then nothing happened...

[@CasperLCat]

Ian’s more modest in his opinions about the big questions than I’d have thought, as well as more of a sincere humanitarian than I knew. He saves his bombast for his art (unlike, say, Roger Waters), which is very appealing.

[@SwisstedChef2018]

You guys look alike, I always said it, you are equally great narrators. Good for you to have him on the show

[@MinstrelInTheGallery]

Great interview!! Can’t wait to listen to The Zealot Gene album

[@PhilBaird1]

Listening to Ian talk about his school days suggested a concept album to me.

[@rightchordleadership]

Very thoughtful questions, Barry! Demonstrates that you listened to TZG with a keenly critical ear.

[@richbrout16]

Wow. Great Interview and I'm sure what a Thrill for you. Well Done!!

[@LairoftheAlchemist]

Fantastic interview!!

[@elliotwalton6159]

Wow! What a thrill! My wife just said to me "Jethro Tull is putting out a new album." I replied, "I'll have to check out Barry and Classic Album Review" and here you are interviewing Ian Anderson himself!

[@sallymick27]

Excellent questions Barry, thank you

[@johnnyscarecrow71]

Very well done, Barry! Thank you.

[@classicalbum]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@SeansMusicHunt]

Great job. Very cool you got to chat with him. Goals.

[@rockroll6791]

I really enjoyed that...thanks...can hardly wait until The Zealot Game appears in my mailbox...

[@TheD4VR0S]

Barry has a nice chat with his dad.....

[@graemecowe8431]

Looking forward to the Album .Love the three tracks .Fascinating how the Holy Spirit is stirring the heart of Ian as he continues on his personal faith path .Whatever your viewpoint is the fact remains we won’t understand Jesus without reading the Bible and we won’t understand the Bible without allowing Jesus into our heart .

[@HarvestMoon2049]

Ian! 🔥💖

[@davidbutterworth9578]

Excellent channel. Fine reviews always, including of 'The Zealot Gene'. I couldn't quite understand most of what Ian Anderson was talking about here. It reminded me of being in a University seminar forty years ago, listening to the tutor and being rather non-plussed. I like the album. I'll listen to this interview again. Thanks for your great work.

[@bmardon2112]

Father and son it looks like!

[@michaelbeaule1966]

Had to listen to this interview as soon as I saw it. Thank you for an articulate and meaningful exchange. I appreciated listening to Ian's creative process going into his new album and his interpretation of the complexities of Christianity. I may not share those beliefs in its entirety, but I highly respect his views.

[@c11p]

So happy to see you interviewing icons, because you deserve it. Wonderful channel, wonderful interview. Kudos.

[@robertcook2572]

Yeah, but what's your favourite colour?

[@KowankoMusic]

Well done, sir!

[@simonbarnes8303]

well done on getting that interview.

[@storymansworldofdiscovery1831]

Fantastic - you have Ian - Wow! Congratulations. I love Ian Andersons music because he had never stopped exploring, evolving, creating and just soaring on the wings of his talent. So, I love everything he does and the fact he didn’t stop at Aqualung.

[@classicalbum]

I imagine I'll be interviewing him again soon

[@TractorCountdown]

Really enjoyable. Well done Barry.

[@paulkerr9128]

I wish IA could give a short, succinct answer to a question. By the time he's done, I've often forgotten what the question was.

[@robertcook2572]

I've listened attentatively right to the end so you don't have to. I can report that you're not missing very much.

[@NuntiusLegis]

He seems to fear silly questions - of which I guess he was faced with a lot - and so prefers to "interview" himself or to talk as much as possible while answering.

[@themikentimcomedyshow3343]

A great interview, very interesting, and you didn't waste time asking any dumb questions. I would have been tempted to ask for a tidbit on the new album, but he probably wouldn't have wanted to distract from the current one.

[@williamb6884]

It's kind of interesting, his take on religion. For me personally him and his musings about organized religion was kind of a lynch-pin that got me out of the dogma I was raised around and I became looking at such topics as a skeptic and to make it be okay for others to have different and sometimes opposing opinion. The song Wind Up in particular from Aqualung really spoke to me as well as the entirety of A Passion Play; a lot of who I am pertaining to religion and beliefs I owe to Mr. Anderson.

[@robertcook2572]

I'm not certain that the current fashion for it being OK for people to have different and opposing opinions is the answer to all our problems. In fact, I think it might be a recipe for disaster. We shall see.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Extra-terrestrials may have created us, religion perhaps merely an excuse to keep us distracted and occupied...

[@rofe5959]

Thanks for this great interview! Master Ian unbosomed interesting insides & standpoints. Best from CH, Rolf

[@melissakhalar1842]

Interesting interview Barry, well done. Thank You.

[@classicalbum]

My pleasure

[@paulhart3812]

Great interview. I was always fascinated with Ian’s interpretation of man’s relationship with religion and God. That’s why I enjoyed your Passion Play review video.

[@blackie5566]

WOW great interview - thank you so much!!!

[@classicalbum]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@camriley]

Fascinating interview. Thank you.

[@Lawrence3000]

Grew up listening to your voice in your music Sir, loved you then, still love you now.

[@gideonlapidus8996]

Great interview with Ian

[@harryturnbull4781]

We explored such concepts while studying the philosophy of religion in sixth form but I'm certainly not waffling on about it 40 years later like this. I can only conclude he is feeling a sense of his own mortality. Pass.

[@robertcook2572]

Great bores of today...

[@mehmettanjudirlik1212]

I remember my first Tull concert experience in Fest Halle Frankfurt, on 2 Feb 1973, during my mid year school holiday, I was 16 years old high school boy from Istanbul, still great excitement to remember. Since the first vinyl album of Tull 've got which is "Benefit" (still keep the most Tull's vinyl albums), the Zealot Gene I suppose is nominated for one of the best of all, a true masterpiece of Ian Anderson.

[@grantwallace1882]

What a fascinating man. Great questions.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you. Ian's not bad either...I 🙂

[@grantwallace1882]

@@classicalbum I spent most of the Christmas season diving into Jethro Tull. I had a few albums in the past, but from Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses I went into the depths of A Passion Play. I saw them in Plymouth around the time of Roots To Branches, which I also really like, and later had the great pleasure of meeting Martin Barre and his wife as they were coming off a tennis court. I knew they lived in the same Devon village as my parents. Meeting him was fantastic as I had that wonderful music fan moment of saying "Thank you!" for the wonderful music. We chatted openly about my art and his music. I later heard how he would sit in the local bar signing albums and even doing little video messages to fans. What a band, what lovely people, what a genius in Ian Anderson and what a legacy they have left. I am looking forward to purchasing "The Zealot Gene", thanks in no small part to your review and interview. Keep The Faith.

[@arnoldwohler]

I love the voice of Ian Anderson, not only when he is singing, but also when he is talking - and what he is saying is allways interesting!

[@gr.vo.3058]

All's I know Ian, is that I love your music. And I am also aware of the "Mark" OTB. ( not zealous) . Predicted two thousand years ago. Let's hope that prophecy is somehow, thwarted.

[@terryowen9622]

Was that an exclusive scoop on another album to follow?! Loved this channel for quite some time so knew this would be a quality interview. Excellent stuff.

[@NuntiusLegis]

Seems Ian has no problems coming up with new material, but, sadly, doesn't want to release an album too often. Since 2012 we had TAAB2, Homo Erraticus, new songs for the The Tull Rock Opera (never released), The Zealot Gene being finished for quite a while but released after a long delay.

[@meropetied]

Such a great interview. Curious about why he never looks at the camera. He's so very good at on camera interviews. Did you tell him this was to be about audio more? Feels like you're doing a radio interview watching him. (Oh, wait, he just looked up talking about Passion Play... no he's back down again.) But what a wonderful set of responses!

[@lovman]

Thanks for the question regarding bringing APP to film. As suspected, no interest in revisiting that one, although, how about the stage? Small, independent theater in London, complete artistic control, etc. etc.

[@seethroughhead505]

There are plans to record "The Water's Edge" ballet, being funded through the sale of the recent Tallis release.

[@Basaljet]

@@seethroughhead505 What recent Tallis release? Are we talking Evans and Palmer?

[@seethroughhead505]

@@Basaljet Yes, the 'In Alia Musica Spero' album was released last year, 40 years after its recording. There are limited copies left available from A New Day.

[@mr.bloodvessel260]

Big time Barry, Big time!

[@unchattytwit]

Great to hear Ian so open and earnest, the 'cold, damp fish'- interesting self-definition (I don't think it was tongue in cheek). Also excellent story about the school children and social media at the end. Ian did seem as if he was anxious about time although it was enjoyable to hear what Ian had to say..

[@justgivemethetruth]

1:52 - Ian says "If I was god" ... It's nice to know that he realizes he is not god. ;-)

[@barryspeight6109]

When you listen to this album,you almost think Ian is a Christian or very close to it . Now that he's older and facing mortality, I think he has a more sober and introspective approach. Great guy. Very intelligent, creative, and a gentleman. I hope he finds Jesus. He'll be in for a lot of flack. But, Christ said, that's part of the deal. Blessings and Love, Ian.❤

[@sunsin1592]

At least the mystery of them being two different people or not is solved...

[@pasqualeperillo]

Goodinterview

[@rightchordleadership]

Barry catches the Big Fish!!! 🐠

[@vincentrizzi4929]

It would be nice to have Barriemore Barlow back at the Drum Helm.

[@SpitfireCallum]

Two legends separated at birth.

[@PhilBaird1]

Brilliant. Big thanks to Ian and Barry.

[@classicalbum]

and bank ballances

[@SpitfireCallum]

@@classicalbum 😹

[@sharktroubles]

@@classicalbum Indeed! LOL.

[@handebarlas6248]

@@classicalbum 😄

[@draltar]

great interview... but can't help to notice how serious Ian is now.... back in the days he talked about serious stuff, both in music and in interviews.. but in such a "mad" "Iannish" way... things change

[@BlackWhirlies]

Great interview, but has everyone forgotten 'Too Old To Rock n Roll'?

[@Stevo_Drums]

Why not go a step further into skepticism? Why bother to keep one foot in the doorway of unsubstantiated woo?

[@cesarincamendozaloyola4407]

That is his business alone

[@timgainnes5534]

Dim the lights, were you on the cover of the zealot gene?

[@hanscamilleri2820]

He stay at a back of a church He is not practicing Catholic church Attendand But moral and the reference is there

[@yngveklevjer6160]

As much as I respects Ian Anderson, I think he's got it wrong about God and christianity! My experience of God is that God channels the truth about Himself through people! Throughout all the history! You can not prove the existence of God, but there are so many stories and experiences from people, that you really have to listen to!

[@portcullis5622]

One more question Ian. Why is it suddenly Jethro Tull again, more than a decade after you said the band no longer existed?🤔One wonders if it is anything to do with the relative sales of Ian Anderson solo albums versus Jethro Tull albums?

[@Basaljet]

That's what we are all wondering. IA is IA Jethro Tull had magic and Martin. Guess he's moved on alone... Without me that is after 55 years.

[@justgivemethetruth]

I think the writing between the lines says that they did that mainly because Jethro Tull is a salable commodity and Ian Anderson just is not. Ian Anderson's albums have always had this kind of snooty conceited egotistical quality to them.

[@portcullis5622]

@@justgivemethetruth J€£$€£ T€££

[@NuntiusLegis]

It has always been moot to differentiate between Tull and Anderson. If the Tull moniker means a bigger impact, I am all for it.

[@cesarincamendozaloyola4407]

He said that Homo Erraticus was a group effort in the arrangements.

[@trevorkenward7661]

What is that material hanging seemingly around Ians neck? Just curious is all.

[@todddale7041]

Sadly, it appears that Ian knows not Grace: the Lamb Himself intervened on our behalf to wash away our sins, redeeming the fallen cosmos, and has promised to all who love Him everlasting life 😊

[@cesarincamendozaloyola4407]

It is his business alone

[@barrabasi]

Now, who's Barry and who's Ian? They look so much alike!

[@classicalbum]

He's the rich one.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Nice interview ... hard to tell who was who ... maybe that is why Ian seemed to open up a little more than usual. ;-)

[@classicalbum]

Do you think he opened up more than usual? I wouldn't mind interviewing him again.

[@justgivemethetruth]

@@classicalbum I hope you can interview him again. If you do, you should ask him about that fake Biblical verse on the back of the Aqualung record. "In the beginning, Man created God". It's funny but that album started a lifelong appreciation of Jethro Tull music. I mean, sure, Ian wrote the damn album, but I don't see how Aqualung is not a concept album, nor why Ian is so adamant about it - and that central verse on the back of the album sort of sets it off for me. Implicitly the whole album was kind of about hypocrisy of society, and how even with all of it, the world goes on with interesting characters. I am kind of pleased that he talked about Christianity, because it was the framework that I was raised under, though I am not a Christian now, I still appreciate the idea of religion, and resent todays atheist streak that has been picked up by so many such as Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins and many others who seem to dump exclusively on religion as being the source of corruption in humans, when really everything we do is corrupt, and hypocritical. I've enjoyed your videos about Tull before, but also feel a bit sad at the way to Jethro Tull cookie crumbled, but even though I don't really like what I've heard of The Zealot Gene I pre-purchased the album, and can be very critical of Homo Erraticus, even though I saw the concert in Oakland, CA. A 50 year history and having to buy all the albums multiple times on multiple media I feel gives me the right to vent and criticize! ;-) Good work though, enjoyed the interview, brief as it was. Hope you can get him again sometime.

[@justgivemethetruth]

@@classicalbum Another thing I was thinking would be an interesting question would be: Ian, you wear so many hats, and clearly have a keen interest in and talent for business, and marketing. In your life what percentage of your creating of Jethro Tull music has been art and what percentage has been business, and how do you feel about the interaction of the two considering a 50 years successful body of work. Clearly he has sad many times in many ways that there is nearly nothing of him in Jethro Tull's songwriting, and the he seems to take pains to remain aloof, but isn't art a commentary or criticism of the universe of the artist, and does that impact the artistic statements in Ian Anderson't legacy of work. I'd bet he has not been asked that before!? ;-)

[@danielodom3839]

When the Bible says man was created in the image of God i think what that means is man prior to his fall. Prior to the fall man was like God created to be imortal .

Do U use Zoom to record? 🤔

[@classicalbum]

I do

[@briancox8518]

Bring back Martin barre

[@justgivemethetruth]

1:20 - I am waiting for someone to ask Ian what was the small scripture-like paragraph on the back of the Aqualung album. Where did that come from, and if it is not a concept album - what is that brief kind of sarcastic little faux-Biblical verse supposed to indicate. God is the projection of our consciousness into the universe, as if it was a sentient being with all our petty and selfish failings and characteristics.

[@cesarincamendozaloyola4407]

A brief appreciation about spirituality and a connection with higher power out of the rules of institutionalised religion.

[@simonprey8600]

It's a shame. Ian was very open in interviews when in his younger years: now he seems to lack any warmth and is indeed a little standoffish. As you yourself said Barry, in a reply to one of the comments on here: 'This was not a fun interview to do'. Great artist of course nonetheless.

[@justgivemethetruth]

4:56 - "are we sailing dangerous close to concept album territory"? Hahaha, great question.

[@jerrypotter4137]

as much as I love his musicianship over the decades, His understanding of God is basically nothing. God chose the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. Until he can accept God on God's own terms, nothing will make sense to him. The "Zealot Gene" is actually nothing more than the sin nature in every person since the fall of Adam and Eve. This nature can not understand the things of the Spirit. No one can know the mind of God without his Spirit, and that refers to God's word, the bible. You can't write about something you don't know about, so you make it up as you go.

[@questionbeggar1869]

I was quite enthused to see Barry interviewing Ian-given Barry's excellent best to worst on the Tull catalog. Sadly, Ian seems to have The Gasbag Gene: where he only manages concise, insightful interviews when he can sense the interviewer isn't a fan at all. Instinctively, Ian seemed to sense Barry's interest and fed him dogmatic arglebargle til time ran out. So much I didn't know going into this interview: Is Martin on it? Why is this "Jethro Tull" and not "Ian Anderson's Jethro Tull?" Is that singer from "Homoerratica" on this one again? None of which matters, really. At this point, I'll gratefully gobble down anything Ian has the time left to produce. Hell, I buy into a Peter-Paul Vetesse reunion!

[@classicalbum]

I'll be honest with you, I love Jethro Tull and Ian, but this wasn't a fun interview at all.

[@questionbeggar1869]

@@classicalbum I remember an appearance Ian and Martin made on Howard Stern in the 2000s. Howard wanted them to play his favorite JT tune, "To Cry You a Song." Martin was up for it, but Ian nixed it, saying they weren't prepared for that one. "Martin, Ian really keeps a tight leash on you guys, doesn't he?" Howard asked Barre. Ian shot a look letting Marty know not to answer that one. That was my first clue ever that my hero might be...wounded, old and treacherous?

[@classicalbum]

By his own admission he's a 'bit of a bugger'... I met Don Airey before a Deep Purple gig, and I asked him about playing in Jethro Tull, he said: 'No one's happy in that band' ...

[@rightchordleadership]

@@classicalbum It didn’t appear fun. But it was a good solid interview. 👍

[@NuntiusLegis]

@@classicalbum Doane Perry often expressed his delight being in Tull. If I were a musician, I'd be delighted to play in the best band in history as well.

[@grahamnash9794]

My view of God making man in their image, has nothing to do with what is seen in a mirror. But more like made to be like God in heart mind and spirit. Right then, before eve was conned into that first sin, mankind was as pure a God. And later in the bible it is said that nothing is impossible with God, so looking at it that way, for those that are baptized in the Holy spirit, are with God by His indwelling. Yet we live on a cursed world, that in itself can act st a block to miracles. But before sin had been committed, the freedom was real and complete, and to a certain degree, mankind could act and behave look the God that made them. Then in times of exodus, we have burning bush, a pillar of fire, and of cloud. Why? That's simple. Take a barrel of pure water, it's clean, untouched by any contaminants. But place one granule of coffee in it, and the whole lot of water will no longer be pure, rendering it unfit for purpose. Likewise, if Almighty Pure and perfect God comes into contact with any contaminants, His purity will forever be gone, thus taking away the perfection that He needs to be, to maintain His being God. Even in the holy of holies at the back of tabernacles, God wasn't physically present, but by His Spirit, and as you've read, there was an entire shopping list of rituals and sacrifices just to step behind a curtain and not be killed. That's not necessary any more as the veil was torn from top to bottom as Jesus died on a cross. Giving us access to the very throne of God by Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. Bible talk done for now. What I will say is, I wish I were in your shoes, to speak with Mr. Anderson himself. There are very few people I look up to with the same elevated esteem, as with him. He sounds exactly how I imagined, well educated, stunningly honest, and right to the point. You dear Sir have just been handed a gift the money can't buy. And I hope it made your day. I feel that with all the work you put into bringing an intellectual appraisal of good music, that you deserved treats like this. TTFN.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for your kind words and biblical perspective... I have to ask, you're not The Graham Nash are you? As is CSNY? Anyway, glad you enjoyed the video

[@darrendohertymusic]

So much genuine warmth and kindness in this message, seems there are recesses of the internet where beautiful humanity can be seen after all.

[@grahamnash9794]

I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm not that marvelous guitarist, also of The Hollies fame. But I have an idea where my parents got my name from. Back in 1964 when the Hollies were quite big.

[@locomotivebreath2831]

Least favorite album.

[@mikeschultz817]

This 'God Thing' is such a simple equation, at all. Let's face it: God was invented by men (and I mean men, not women), for men. As a tool of power, manipulation, oppression, control, pacification - and punishment (emphasis!!). Always has been, and ever will be this way. And, not we were created after His image, but just the other way round. Men created Him after what seemed most convenient for 'The ones in charge' - themselves. End of story. Good luck with that.

[@justgivemethetruth]

I liked hearing Ian talk about his he, in this age of bullshit and very egotistical atheism, supports Christianity ... I've felt the same way all my life, even though I am not a Christian - most of our allusions and analogies come from Biblical stories, and the parable is the way we learn - all hugely important. Glad that this album might reflect a bit of that, but so far I have not really heard it though.

[@NuntiusLegis]

I think religion is a waste of time and often hinders progress - including effective altruism - but at least it is a source of inspiration for new music by IA.

[@justgivemethetruth]

@@NuntiusLegis I was raised Christian, going to Sunday school as a kid. It was OK, and I absorbed the Christian ethic of the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do to you - which coincidentally is the same as the basic tenet of Judaism. I am not religious any more, and in many cases think that organized religion is a pretty negative thing - BUT, according to anthropologists all societies have some form of religion, so my deduction from that is that there is some social function that religion performs, and so I think we ought too be very careful about demonizing it, or blaming it for corruption or abuse or crime - after all corruption or abuse and crime are in everything else humans do.

[@NuntiusLegis]

@@justgivemethetruth I see your point. Some moral foundation - even an imperfect religious one - being relevant in a society, family, or individual, is better than none. I am German; my father's parents were deeply religious Catholics, which probably contributed in preventing them from becoming Nazis. The golden rule, which is roughly the same as Kant's categorical imperative, has it's limits though. For example: Fanatic Nazi or Islamist terrorists believing all non-Nazis resp. non-Islamists should be killed, don't violate the golden rule, as long as they accept they should be killed as well as soon as they convert.

[@justgivemethetruth]

@@NuntiusLegis The Golden Rule came long, long before Kant. Interesting that you are German and a Catholic, and not a Lutheran. But the last part of your comment I cannot really decipher. As far as I know, they say Islam springs from the Abrahamic tradition, but it is the only religion whose main visionary, i.e. whose leader was a military general. I don't have a lot of appreciation for Islam. Like anything humans do it is subject to corruption and misinterpretation, but that is what has happened with all human and national institutions over time, we just refuse to see it because there is no tradition of constant change and renewal.

[@NuntiusLegis]

@@justgivemethetruth I know the Golden Rule is older and think Kant is overrated in this respect (and others). - My father was Catholic, my mother is Lutheran; I was baptised as a Lutheran but left church in my twenties because I consider myself an agnostic who thinks God's non-existence is more likely than God's existence. What I tried to say is that the Golden Rule is just a call for consistency, so a consistent fanatic doesn't violate it, which shows it is not sufficient as a moral foundation.

[@jacekszczecinski2766]

Please, do not blame God for what mainstream Christianity, especially the Catholic Church, has done. If you want to find out the Truth about God and His purpose for this earth and for us, read the Bible carefully and reject all the false man-made doctrines and concepts, such as trinity, immortal soul, going to heaven or hell, personal Satan, etc.

[@classicalbum]

This is Ian Anderson's sentiments, not mine

[@jacekszczecinski2766]

@@classicalbum I am sorry if you took it personally; it was not supposed to be addressed to anybody in particular, but rather a general remark to people who mention these things in their comments. Thank you for the interview and sensible questions.

[@jacekszczecinski2766]

If you think my comment is too clumsy and perhaps misleading, I will not mind if you remove it altogether.

[@graemecowe8431]

Your comment is crystal clear so don’t be hard on yourself .We won’t understand Jesus without reading the Bible and we won’t understand the Bible without letting Jesus into our heart.I love how the holy spirit is stirring the heart of Ian as he continues on his personal faith path .

[@jacekszczecinski2766]

@@graemecowe8431 Thanks, Graeme. As for Ian, I wish I were wrong, but sadly I have the impression that he is floating towards wokeism instead of Christ.

[@fernandoteacher]

Ian has always been one of my favourite musicians of all time, but to hear him talk about religion as if he knew what he's talking about is cringy to say the least. he should stick to music...

[@TheLastOilMan]

So he supports the BBC haha

[@classicalbum]

Who supports the BBC? I certainly don't. I even allude to mistrust in mainstream media in the interview. I don't even have the BBC in my house.

[@justgivemethetruth]

@@classicalbum I wish we could have the BBC over here in the US.