On Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 4:03:11 PM UTC-4, Dee Bachle wrote:   
   > On Apr 8, 2020, Charles wrote   
   > (in article<1f1180d8-be04-4f12-8a57-54fefc256086@googlegroups.com>):   
   >    
   > > This question was asked in a different Rush group recently. What were the   
   > > results? Most respondents said, "No! He was agnostic." Some said, "It's   
   wrong   
   > > to judge Neil." Others said, "It doesn't matter. All that matters is the   
   > > music." Several said something along the lines of: "I'm a Christian and   
   it's   
   > > clear to me Neil was too." A couple of people cited passages from Neil's   
   > > books, instruction videos, and lyrics, and argued that, yes, Neil was an   
   > > atheist.   
   > >   
   > > However, no one in that particular (FB) group tried to claim that Neil was   
   an   
   > > Alt-Right, Trump-worshipping, science-denying ID theorist.   
   > >   
   > > What's the unfortunate takeaway? That no matter how clear and articulate   
   Neil   
   > > was, and how many times over his decades-long career he has critically   
   > > addressed religion and theology, most Rush fans simply want to project   
   their   
   > > values on to the band and Neil in particular.   
   >    
   > If you want to know about Neil read his books.. in his own words he was a    
   > “bleeding heart libertarian”. Beyond that he didn’t widely share his    
   > views. In the end, he earned his rest and we should give it to him.   
      
   He "didn't share his views"?  The question of whether immortal powers exist   
   was one of Neil's favorite themes!  He tackled the question again and again in   
   his lyrics.  It was almost an obsession.  It's in "Free Will."  It's in "Roll   
   the Bones."  It is *   
   all over* Rush's last several albums.   
      
   He was also a fan of renowned atheists Christopher Hitchens and Richard   
   Dawkins.   
      
   Neil put thought into his lyrics.  He wanted fans to read and appreciate them.   
      
   To discuss Neil's views is not to "deny him rest."  He's not resting; he is   
   deceased.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)