Eleonora on the ARK just posted a translation of Hyde’s Faith interview (No.14994.) After Hyde talks about the theme of the song, Jesus Christ (the conflict of a parent who believes in a God who does nothing to save a dying child), he says he finds that kind of faith strange but wonders how his life might be different if he could bring himself to that level of trust. He adds, though, that he doesn’t understand why God would punish His creation with tsunami or earthquakes, but if it’s only the laws of Nature that would make sense.
I sympathize with Hyde's questions. Biblical writers believed God did punish us through natural disasters. I used to think that way, too, but I don't anymore. So, now I'm left with the idea of a God who, instead of sending disaster, just stands by and watches and doesn't do much to help. Philosophers and theologians have been grappling with the concept of a seemingly distant God for centuries (Bonhoeffer comes to mind). Hyde is in good company.
On a different note, I love Hyde’s answer when asked if music had the power to change the world. He says he thinks it’s impossible to bring world peace through music. That if it could have been done it would have been by John Lennon. Still, he’s seen the awareness of fans change during L’Arc performances.
“I don't think I'll go as far as changing the world,” he says. “But because those people are thinking about peace, then maybe they'll teach it to the people near them.”Amen to that.
