Defining Bad Religion

The new site has been live for almost a month, yet there are only two new interpretations added to the Defining Bad Religion section.
After seeing some discussions about lyric interpretations in several threads, I decided to promote the Defining Bad Religion in this topic. So what’s the deal with Defining Bad Religion…

1. In this section you can write your own interpretation of Bad Religion songs. However it should not become a discussion board. Basically you can agree or disagree with ones’ interpretation, but you’ll always have to give some good arguments. So scoffing at others’ interpretations and personal assaults are not allowed.
2. Only interpretations are allowed. So comments such as “I like this song” or interpretations without arguments (such as “It’s about God.”) should not be posted.
3. An interpretation is personal. So even if it doesn’t conform to the meaning of the songwriter, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the interpretation is wrong. We’re interested in all interpretations! So let’s keep it fun.
4. If you write an interpretation, try to pay some attention to the punctuation. It makes it easier to read and could help to prevent misunderstandings.
   

I’d also like to point out that there’s a difference between an ‘interpretation’ and a ‘meaning’. If a band member has ‘revealed’ the true story behind a lyric, this will be the real meaning of a song. For example: if Greg Graffin explains that Adam's Atoms is about the economist Adam Smith, we will have to take that for granted. But if somebody interprets the lyric as being written about Adam and Eve, it will be an interpretation. Even though it might not fit with the original meaning, it still can be a valid, but different way of thinking about a lyric.
 
And last but not least, here’s an excellent way to describe ‘interpreting lyrics’ by Jay Bentley:

Everyone has their own interpretation of a song meaning, and unless it's way off base. Why not let them have it. I have ideas about what songs mean to me that are very personal and I know there is no way the author could have been writing my thoughts. Think of it as a painting, everyone will look at it differently. There is only one true subject, but the interpretations are unlimited.

So let’s go and start adding your interpretations! There are still hardly any interpretations on all songs of New Maps Of Hell!
 
The interpretations are fully integrated into the discography section. So simply look up a song (by searching or by browsing through the discography) and you'll find the interpretations on that page. Plus, the latest interpretations are always shown on the first discography page.


Edited by Jesse - 11/27/2008 at 15:50

The reply button?  It's right beside the quote button for me.

Or just use the quick reply like I generally do.

smarti22 wrote: Quick reply isn't there... unless I'm seriously missing something...

Where exactly are you looking? In the forum or where you can add an interpretation?

Okay, so it works in Firefox, but not in IE.  Guess that just figures...

I was able to fix the "Add an interpretation" link on each of the song pages. So start adding your interpretations everyone! :)