Praying the Game

For some reason, the previous post about Purcell reminded me of this song, perhaps because of the orchestration.  One of the things I always admired about Pete Townshend was the way he could question his own faith.  This song is about the hypocrisy of prayer.

Now, that's a loaded statement -- but what Townshend is talking about is one's own hypocrisy -- using prayer, or using God, really, to avoid pain, most probably to avoid the consequences of one's own actions.  Wiggling like a worm on the hook.  Or perhaps as a subtle attempt to manipulate the outcome one desires.  As though one could cheat the Universe.  The Buddha reputedly said (in the vernacular), "Nobody gets away with anything."

It's hard to look within and see one's own hypocrisy, one's own lack of integrity, but we all have moments or entire areas of our lives where we're not up to snuff.  We talk a good game but we don't live it.  I'm as guilty as anyone.  Really, the only way out of hypocrisy is to be able to recognize and face it in yourself.  Strangely enough, facing one's own weaknesses and owning up to them instead of weaseling out, is real strength.  That's real character, despite what the world appears to say.

So Townshend is undercutting the pose of piety here -- his own pose -- or yours and mine, as the case may be.  

I find the honesty of facing one's own failings refreshing.  As long as you can do that, there is still hope....and there's a good Sunday morning sermon for you.