Talk:Dear God (XTC song)

Andy's comment
On Song Meanings, someone posted the following remarks attributed to Andy:

"it [Dear God] failed in part, because it wasn't as caustic as I would've liked it to be. It should've been a nail in throat of the public, but instead some took it as a declaration of faith when I wanted to make it clear that I don't believe in God - and that even if there is a He or a She they have nothing to do with organized religion."

I would like to include this quote in the article, if possible. The problem is that I can't find any reliable citation for it. Searching the words on Google, I came to an even smaller version of the same quote, equally uncited, at an atheist website.

Anyone who can find the original source for this quote would be much appreciated, but I'm not putting it in the article until then. marbeh raglaim 12:36, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

atheism v anti-theism
Anti-theism and atheism are two separate concepts, anti-theism means one believes that religion in all its forms are wrong and should be forcibly cast off. Atheism means that a particular person doesn't believe in god(s). This song is very specific in that it says, "I can't believe in you." It would have to say something like, "No one should ever believe in you," although it would be more clear if it said, "No one should believe in religion" (or something to that effect). Please don't re-add anti-theism without responding either here or on my talk page, thanks. Na uf ana :  talk  02:57, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

First of all, anti-theism is not opposition to "religion" per se. There are non-theistic religions (like Buddhism), and there are theists who aren't part of any religion. Anti-theists would oppose the latter, but not necessarily the former.

Anti-theism is the view that belief in God is not just false, but undesirable. (It can be contrasted with the views of atheists who think that belief in God has positive consequences, even if based on falsehood.) "Dear God" has anti-theistic overtones, even if it focuses mostly on the narrator's personal unwillingness to believe. For instance, look at the following line: "See them fighting in the street, 'cause they can't make opinions meet about God." marbeh raglaim 13:11, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

Antitheism has come to have at least two meanings: a negative opinion of any sort of belief in God, and a negative opinion of God himself/itself. The former meaning is more common. There is a notion of dystheism (sometimes called Maltheism), which comes closer to the second meaning of antitheism, asserting that God exists and is evil. This song wavers between atheism and Maltheism (as many other atheistic polemics do) suggesting the idea that "if this God exists he is evil." Partridge sings about the wars God brings and the babes he drowns; this is an accusation hurled at an actual God he hopes is listening. At the same time he asks if he made mankind after we made him, suggesting God's non-existence. (So who is he talking to/accusing?) Since antitheism's meaning is ambiguous, dystheism and perhaps Maltheism is a clearer referent. Craig zimmerman 20:34, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:XTC - Dear God.jpg
Image:XTC - Dear God.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

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BetacommandBot (talk) 05:41, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

recent edit
some stupid bot undid my edit because i removed content... i did not remove any content i created a sub-section for easier reading. 130.108.187.83 (talk) 19:18, 22 October 2008 (UTC)
 * It wasn't a bot, it was an editor that made a mistake. Please read our guideline on assuming good faith. [ roux  ] [ x ] 19:54, 22 October 2008 (UTC)

Profound and Profane
Being raised in religion I am torn with reality of this song and social pressures of religion. Open your mind, find the truth. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.253.196.172 (talk) 12:43, 10 March 2011 (UTC)
 * How nice for you. Wikipedia's talk pages are meant for discussion of the article in question. Please refrain from adding your personal comments. Pac if ic Bo y  23:51, 3 July 2011 (UTC)

Covers
As with all other content, any information added here about cover versions of this song must be sourced to reliable sources, which does not mean YouTube or fansites. The mere existence of a cover is irrelevant, secondary sources must show that the cover is notable for itself. A good example would be Rod Stewart's cover of Tom Waits' "Downtown Train," which was a Top 40 hit and received a great deal more attention than Waits' original version. Unreferenced or inadequately referenced material will be removed, per WP policy. --- The Old Jacobite The '45  13:58, 4 November 2013 (UTC)


 * For relevant policy, please see WP:SONGCOVER. --- The Old Jacobite The '45  23:34, 9 November 2013 (UTC)


 * I cited the CD itself. Your edits amount to vandalism. Please stop.Geĸrίtzl (talk) 19:34, 10 November 2013 (UTC)


 * The CD itself is not a third party source proving notability. Baseless accusations of vandalism are considered personal attacks.  I suggest that you stop. --- The Old Jacobite The '45  19:46, 10 November 2013 (UTC)


 * Gekritzl, please review WP:COVERSONG as suggested by mr. jacobite, as well as WP:NSONG. both of you have violated WP:3RR and risk blocking if this edit war continues. information about cover versions may be re-added if a suitable reliable source is found per nsong and WP:RS. unfortunately, i can't find any such sources myself. thanks, ~ Boomur &#91;☎&#93; 20:35, 10 November 2013 (UTC)

Infobox should have data of A-sided single
Currently, it has the data of the "Grass" single but that single has its own article. Is there some way to include both releases in the infobox? &mdash;⁠71.105.198.152 (talk) 11:46, 9 March 2022 (UTC)