Stop Helping God across the Road Like a Little Old Lady

[Chip]

In fact it seems on some of the songs that the verses are the person with lack of hope and love, and the chorus is a response to that.
 

Just as the bridge in "Wake Up Dead Man" talks back to the verses . . .

[BorneOfSound]

The line is telling Christians to stop treating God like he is in a box and to treat God like He has limits. Some Christians talk about God like they know exactly what His purpose was for world events or any events, too. The song tells Christians to "get out from under their beds" and actually do something instead of being so passive and just putting their heads in a Bible at home, go to church on Sundays and that's it. It's a song asking them to do more in the world - probably connected to Bono's work in Africa.

This is one of my favorite lines from Bono. I really think it is saying to church people to stop spreading the word of God to non-believers or the rest of the world like it's something that can be kept inside a box. It's telling them to stop talking about God in a fake, timid, almost patronizing way. It's about Christians and church people getting in the way of God or religion getting in the way of God implying that God has no borders or limits and often times is not in the places where some people might expect Him to be (church, for example).

[dirtdrybonesandstone]

Faith needs to be simple.   The more complex one makes it, the more divided we become.

[Dali]

"Stand Up Comedy" has got the best lyrics on the whole NLOTH album. It's a real comeback for Bono as a lyrics writer from the lowpoint that was HTDAAB.

[WMHBStu]

I always thought of it in the "preachers stealing hearts in a traveling show" kind of way.  Stop limiting God.  Stop putting into the confines of humanity.  God's greatness is far beyond what we can know or perceive - it does not need to be treated as feeble or in need of worldly assistance.  It is faith over religion.

[_acrobat]

The line is telling Christians to stop treating God like he is in a box and to treat God like He has limits. Some Christians talk about God like they know exactly what His purpose was for world events or any events, too. The song tells Christians to "get out from under their beds" and actually do something instead of being so passive and just putting their heads in a Bible at home, go to church on Sundays and that's it. It's a song asking them to do more in the world - probably connected to Bono's work in Africa.

This is one of my favorite lines from Bono. I really think it is saying to church people to stop spreading the word of God to non-believers or the rest of the world like it's something that can be kept inside a box. It's telling them to stop talking about God in a fake, timid, almost patronizing way. It's about Christians and church people getting in the way of God or religion getting in the way of God implying that God has no borders or limits and often times is not in the places where some people might expect Him to be (church, for example).

+1

[Chip]

I always thought of it in the "preachers stealing hearts in a traveling show" kind of way.  Stop limiting God.  Stop putting into the confines of humanity.  God's greatness is far beyond what we can know or perceive - it does not need to be treated as feeble or in need of worldly assistance.  It is faith over religion.

I agree, save for the faith/religion dichotomy.

[Starman]

I take it as more cynical and political in nature. I interpret it as aimed at religious conservatives who feel the need to lobby for laws to follow religious principles. By being so defensive of religion, they are treating it like an elderly person needing help or saving.

I personally interpret Stand Up Comedy as a possible pro-gay anthem. Then again, I could just be reading what I want it to be about into it.

That's an excellent interpretation and it makes sense. This makes me realize how excellent and smart the song actually is.

[Chip]

I take it as more cynical and political in nature. I interpret it as aimed at religious conservatives who feel the need to lobby for laws to follow religious principles. By being so defensive of religion, they are treating it like an elderly person needing help or saving.

I personally interpret Stand Up Comedy as a possible pro-gay anthem. Then again, I could just be reading what I want it to be about into it.

That's an excellent interpretation and it makes sense. This makes me realize how excellent and smart the song actually is.

I think the context rules against it: "I can stand up for hope, faith, love/But while I'm getting over certainty/Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady." If this section does apply to a group of people, "getting over certainty" sounds more characteristic of progressive people of faith than conservative ones. Personally, I think this section consists of Bono's admonition to himself in all of his ONE work and other lobbying (like the "Napoleon is in high heels" section).

[_acrobat]

As Bono put it: "I'm a Christian, but at times I feel very removed from Christianity."