jesus was a terrorist
Jello Biafra With Nomeansno Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Enemy of the state
That's what the romans labeled him
So he was put to death
He died for his beliefs
What's changed today?
Reap money from his name
Buy cable networks & power
With old ladies' checks
If jesus saw pat robertson
What do you think he'd say?
Tax-free they re-write our laws
And sick 'em on you
Women don't control their bodies
TV preachers do
Censor everything from bathing suits
To science books
From the schoolroom to the bedroom
They want our thoughts - or else
They treat us like the romans
Used to treat the christians
Een some church going folks are scared
Modern catacombs of fear
Built with money, power and threats
Rock'n'roll is labeled porn
Sell a record, you're under arrest
Instead of fighting aids
They try to stop us having sex
They brag that they won't quit
Till they take dominion over our lives
Is freedom of speech such a terrorist act
Is spiritual peace such a satanic threat
Believe what you want
But we'll fight to keep
Out heads from being cemented in your sand
The song "Jesus Was A Terrorist" by Jello Biafra with NoMeansNo is a scathing critique of religious hypocrisy and the manipulation of religion for personal gain. The song explores the idea that Jesus, who was labeled an enemy of the state by the Romans, was essentially a terrorist in their eyes. He was put to death for his beliefs, and yet today, many religious groups and leaders use his name to accumulate wealth and power.
The lyrics of the song take aim at various aspects of modern-day religious fanaticism, including the Bible-thumping cannibals who reap money from Jesus' name, the TV preachers who control people's thoughts, and the censorship of everything from bathing suits to science books. Biafra questions what Jesus would have to say about these modern-day "church-going folks," and highlights the parallels between how the Romans treated the early Christians and how religious groups treat people today.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus was a terrorist
Jesus was labeled as an enemy of the state by the Romans, which classified him as a terrorist.
Enemy of the state
Jesus was perceived as a threat to the state.
That's what the romans labeled him
The Romans labeled Jesus as a troublemaker and a threat to their power.
So he was put to death
Jesus was executed for his beliefs and actions that went against the Roman regime.
He died for his beliefs
Jesus believed in his message of peace and justice, and was willing to die for it.
What's changed today?
The same oppression and persecution that Jesus faced still exists today.
Today bible-thumping cannibals
Modern preachers use religion to exploit their followers.
Reap money from his name
Churches profit from using Jesus' name to attract followers and donations.
Buy cable networks & power
Religious organizations gain political and media influence as they accumulate wealth.
With old ladies' checks
Religion preys on the elderly and vulnerable for financial gain.
If jesus saw pat robertson
If Jesus were alive today, what would he think of modern televangelists like Pat Robertson?
What do you think he'd say?
What message would Jesus have for these exploitative preachers?
Tax-free they re-write our laws
Religious institutions manipulate the law through their tax-exempt status.
And sick 'em on you
Religious institutions use their political and financial power to target those who oppose them.
Women don't control their bodies
Religion denies women autonomy over their reproductive rights.
TV preachers do
However, religious leaders control what women can and cannot do with their bodies.
Censor everything from bathing suits
Religious institutions impose their puritanical standards on everyday life.
To science books
Science and critical thought are discouraged in favor of religious dogma.
From the schoolroom to the bedroom
Religion seeks to regulate all aspects of people's lives, even in private spaces.
They want our thoughts - or else
Religion demands conformity to their doctrine, or else face punishment.
They treat us like the romans
Religion uses the same tactics of oppression and persecution as the Romans did on early Christians.
Used to treat the christians
Early Christians were persecuted and oppressed by the Roman government.
Even some church going folks are scared
Even some religious people are afraid of the power their own institutions hold.
Modern catacombs of fear
Religious institutions use fear and intimidation to control their followers.
Built with money, power and threats
With wealth and political power, religious institutions use threats to maintain their control.
Rock'n'roll is labeled porn
Religion condemns music and art that they deem immoral or offensive.
Sell a record, you're under arrest
Artists are punished for expressing their freedom of speech and creative expression.
Instead of fighting aids
Religious institutions prioritize their own agenda over the wellbeing of the people.
They try to stop us having sex
Religion seeks to regulate sexual behavior and expression.
They brag that they won't quit
Religious institutions refuse to stop their puritanical agenda.
Till they take dominion over our lives
Religion seeks total control over people's lives.
Is freedom of speech such a terrorist act
Religion seeks to silence those who oppose them, even if it means violating freedoms of speech and expression.
Is spiritual peace such a satanic threat
Religion demonizes those who do not align with their dogma.
Believe what you want
People should be free to believe and express their thoughts and beliefs.
But we'll fight to keep
People will fight to maintain their freedoms and liberties.
Out heads from being cemented in your sand
Religion seeks to indoctrinate and control people's thoughts and beliefs, but people will resist and fight against such control.
Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.