The Church of Bono

What's the best way to encourage young people to come to church and to promote social activism? Play music from U2 at your church services.

Yep, I've heard it all now. According to the AFA Online, some Episcopal churches are now using the music from the Irish rock band U2, whose lead singer is the controversial social activist Bono, during their worship services in order to draw socially active young people into their churches.

Episcopal priest Whis Hayes, says of Bono, "To be sure his social activism has a broader appeal, but I think he's somebody -- as I understand what he's said -- who has a vital faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior."

Hmmmm...I think it's hard to say that for sure. I can't judge Bono's personal relationship with Christ and I shouldn't, but his actions and words often leave a lot to be desired. To be sure, Bono has taken a stand on some issues that are important and need to be addressed, such as the AIDS epidemic in Africa. He uses his considerable influence as a rock star to urge the American government to pay attention to his pet causes. There's nothing wrong with this, but if you really pay attention to his words (and his actions), I'm not sure this is the person that I want preaching to my kids.

In a Nov. 17, 2005, CBS news report Bono talked with Ed Bradley (of 60 Minutes fame). He spoke of his desire to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic in Africa and told Bradley, according to the online article, that "getting conservative Christians on his side was the best way to push the Bush administration to send more aid to Africa." He also told Bradley that he didn't think he would be as successful in his endeavor by "taking the usual bleeding heart liberal line..." so he approached the conservative Christians.

"I was very angry that they were not involved more in the AIDS emergency. I was saying, 'This is the leprosy that we read about in the New Testament...Christ hung out with the lepers,' " Bono recalls saying, " 'But you're ignoring the AIDS emergency.' " This is Bono, talking about his faith. He throws a few Bible verses in once in a while and continues to live however he wants. He seems to be more interested in using Christianity as a means to accomplish his social goals than in living a life that is Christlike. I'm not sure that really makes him or his music the best role model our churches can find to lure young people to Christ.

This does not deter the Episcopal church, however. According to the AFA article, "In any event, although Bono and his band members occasionally use profanities and some of the songs they sing are about sex, Hayes says he sees nothing wrong with incorporating many of U2's more meaningful music into Episcopal Church communion services."

And this is the problem with many Christian churches today. They see nothing wrong with twisting Scriptures for their own purposes. They see nothing wrong with tolerating sin. (As another example, the Episcopal church voting to allow homosexual priests.) They have abandoned the Bible, in large part, and are doing what feels right and seems good, instead of looking to God's word and doing what it commands.