I began writing this blog post over week ago, and I had no idea that it would be appearing after yet another school shooting. Once again, we hear the refrain of Christian political inaction: “Thoughts and Prayers.” The repetition of it all lulls us back to sleep. “This is America.” And in America, complacency is King.
Shortly after the Parkland shooting, I wrote a post about how empty and trite the phrase “Thoughts and Prayers” is as a response from those with political power. I did this rhetorically by adjusting the memorable wording of James 2, replacing the word “Faith” with “Thoughts and Prayers,” in order to drive home the point. Here’s a sample:
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say ‘thoughts and prayers’ but do not have works? Can ‘thoughts and prayers’ save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So ‘thoughts and prayers’ by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
A little over a week ago I was driving home from work and was completely floored when I turned on the radio. Now, I don’t normally listen to the radio, but my auxiliary plug was not working so I had to settle for Radio Ga Ga, and, when I have to settle, I always find the local hard rock station. The first full song that came on explicitly referenced ‘thoughts and prayers,’ and then tied that in with James 2 and the concept of faith without works being dead. I could not believe it! And this was far from a Christian radio station mind you.
Not only that, but I recognized the vocalist as Maynard James Keenan, the former frontman of the band TOOL. I used to be a big fan of TOOL as a teenager, and I even saw them live once. If you’ve heard of them at all it’s most likely because of their world famous über-creepy music videos. Well anyways, Keenan had started a side-project while I was in high school, called A Perfect Circle, but I never really got into them. Apparently, they’re still a band, and also apparently they’re writing super politically-loaded songs aimed at Christian inaction because they were the band playing on the radio that night. Their song “TalkTalk” really convicted me and struck me deep. What’s the main point of the song?
Don’t just talk like Jesus, walk like Jesus.
A critique like this takes on a different level of force when you know that it’s coming from an external source. But I think we need to pay attention to how the world views us if we want to have any voice in our culture. And so I’ve provided the song below, entitled “TalkTalk,” along with a full outline of the lyrics. As a warning, the video is super weird and creepy (minimize the browser if it’s distracting, or just scroll down to read the lyrics). Also as a warning, the song is explicit and there are a few instances of the “F” word. If I may be frank, if it’s the “F” word that upsets you in a conversation about gun violence and school shootings, you need to rethink your ethics.
[Verse 1]
You’re waiting (you’re waiting …)
On miracles (on miracles …)
We’re bleeding out (bleeding out …)
Thoughts (thoughts …)
And prayers (prayers …)
Adorable (crisis …)
Like cake in a crisis (in a crisis …)
We’re bleeding out (bleeding out …)
[Pre-Chorus]
While you deliberate
Bodies accumulate
[Chorus 2]
Sit and talk like Jesus
Try walkin’ like Jesus
Sit and talk like Jesus
Try walkin’ like Jesus
Try braving the rain
Try lifting the stone
Try extending a hand
Try walkin’ your talk or get the f*** out of my way
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