What do these lyrics mean - philosophically?

[Jason76]

They could be pro-athiest, but they could also just be anti-govenment. Anyway, considering the band's singer's parents were both holocaust survivors - this sentiment isn't surprising.

Rush - Freewill

There are those who think that life
Has nothing left to chance
A host of holy horrors
To direct our aimless dance

A planet of playthings
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
The stars aren't aligned
Or the gods are malign
Blame is better to give than receive

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will

There are those who think that
They've been dealt a losing hand
The cards were stacked against them
They weren't born in Lotus-Land

All preordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate
Kicked in the face
You can't pray for a place
In heaven's unearthly estate

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will

Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt
That's far too fleet

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will

 

[Corzhens]

I am not a poet and not even a lover of poems. But from what I perceive of the song, it is about destiny. That people are confused and lose direction because of their faith or belief. It's like saying that our pre-destination will determine our fate no matter what we do. And that maybe, it is better to believe that you can do something about it than just leave your fate to destiny.

 

[Cosmic]

Read Free Will by Sam Harris

 

[Jason76]

Read Free Will by Sam Harris

That's a whole other topic, but I think he's highly mislead. When did religion become the source of all evil? What about nationalism?

 

[Cosmic]

Read Free Will by Sam Harris

That's a whole other topic, but I think he's highly mislead. When did religion become the source of all evil? What about nationalism?

I don’t remember if he talks about religion in that book. It’s very short.