DAL TIMES: Bono and..the Bible

U2 are obsessed with… the Bible.
At least according to L’Osservatore Romano, the semi-official Vatican newspaper. In a piece published January 4, it reveals Bono’s early fascination with the Old Testament King and prophet David. At the age of 12, Bono “adored” David: “For me he was like a pop star and the words of the psalms, poetry…”He explains: "Before becoming a prophet and king of Israel, David had gone through a lot: he went into exile and in the end went into a cavern where he came to terms with God. And that is where the soap opera gets interesting: David composes his first blues,” says Bono, once an evangelical, and member of the Christian band Shalom, but now said to take a looser grasp on Church. In his do-gooding career since, he has certainly mixed with the great and the holy (check the pic above of Pope John Paul II trying his shades). Indeed, a new book just published in Italy, In the Name of Love (664 pages worth, yours for a mere 22 euro) claims the Good Book is a constant reference point throughout the entire U2 canon, from first record to their last CD. As well as ample Biblical allusion and quotes from the psalms, the book's author, Andrea Morandi finds reference to to the old Testament prophet Habakuk in Rejoice. When Love comes to Town he avers refers to the Roman guards playing with die for the seamless garment worn by Jesus, while Until the End of the World speaks of Judas and his betrayal, to cite but a few examples. Unconvinced? The Osservatore quotes Bono as saying: “In the music of U2, there are cathedrals and streets. The streets lead to the cathedrals, and while you walk there you feel nervous as if someone were following you. If you turn around no one is there. Then, finally you enter the cathedral and only then understand that someone really was following you: God.” And for additional evidence in support of Morandi’s case, here’s a link to a site listing specific Bible references in U2’s songs.. So, fact? Or a matter for individual interpretation?