The Paths to God

The Path of Belief

“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King

I think that this song goes along with the idea of always having faith and belief in God. As Father Jim Martin says, the person’s belief has always been with them and I feel like that fits perfectly with the song in the aspect of it always being with you and “standing by you”. It also makes me think of a persons belief, depending on the person, always being there at any given moment and that is what the song is also talking about. That at any moment, good or bad, someone will be with you.

The Path of Independence

“Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake

I believe that this song fits into the Path of Independence because of the idea of looking for something but not being able to find it, at least not right away. As Fr. Martin explains, some people leave the church because of a difference or change in beliefs while others are still firm believers. But, they’re all looking for something which I think fits with the song on the basis of looking for something even though you might not be positive what it is, how you’ll find it, or if you’ll ever find it, but that people still continue to search.

The Path of Disbelief

“Only the Good Die Young” by Billy Joel

I think that this song fits in well with the Path of Disbelief because of the idea of doing things that go against someone’s original thoughts or beliefs. In this song, the lyrics talk of pushing away from certain beliefs because of the lack of “fun” and that “the sinners are much more fun”. I think this is similar with the path because of Jim Martin’s idea that “organized religion holds no appeal” to some people.

The Path of Return

“More Than a Feeling” by Boston

I believe that this song fits into the Path of Return because as Fr. Jim Martin tells us of the path, it is about returning to God because of something that “reignites their curiosity”. The meaning of this song is similar because of the lyrics telling of hearing a certain song and automatically being brought back to this girl and the time they had together. Although, in the song, he can’t get the girl back, whenever he hears this song, he automatically thinks of her which I think relates to this path and the idea of being brought back to God by something in your life.

The Path of Exploration

“Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2

A much more different song compared to the others! 🙂 But I felt like it fit with the Path of Exploration and the idea of finding something new even if you’re not entirely sure what you’re looking for (similar to the Path of Independence). However, one of the main aspects that Jim Martin explained to us was the aspect of having to choose between what you grew up with and finding your own way, which I think is similar to the song and the fact that she has to choose whether she will go “into the unknown” or whether she will ignore it and stay where she is.

The Path of Confusion

“Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas

I believe that this song goes along with the same ideas as the Path of Confusion especially in the aspects of not knowing which way to go and always being at odds with yourself. I belive that it matches with the path and that people “run hot and cold with their childhood faith – finding it relatively easy to believe in God at times, almost impossible at others”. I think that it also has other aspects that are the same in that your path can end in different ways, but in one way, “There will be peace when you are done”, when the person has made their decision regarding their faith.