Reciprocity Nexus

10. “None of the Above” — a set of arguments against the existence of (an Abrahamic, largely Christian God) presented as a piano-driven waltz. First, the claim to exclusivity (We are the one true religion!”) amongst the major religions which makes it statistically only likely that most (or even all) are wrong; furthermore, that in the case of monotheisms, the only real difference from atheism is only ever ONE deity. They are only ever one God away from disbelief. The postulation that agnosticism is the only really intellectually position to occupy. The song also references deities that were once believed in – Ra, the Egyptian Sun God, Apollo, the ancient Greek God of light; Zeus and the old Viking God Thor – are now no longer; showing that these are constructs and transient, specific to cultures and likely mythologies. The God myth is exactly that. Some God myths persist. Others perish.

The middle eight also critiques the essential nihilisms implicit to most religions – that present, earthly life is ultimately transient and inferior; to be sacrificed for a post-death reward in the afterlife. This life is negated in favour of the next. Instead of this nihilism, the case for reason is made – a classic Enlightenment tenet. Through this song, the protagonist narrator declares “None of the Above”. The protagonist is now facing a post-religious world.

As a cornerstone of the album, the concept of love is proffered as an alternative, the only thing that gives any semblance of meaning to brief, fleeting, transient human lives in a beautiful, complex and perplexing universe.

And love has many forms: romantic love; the love of one’s children or friends or family; the love of mankind (the concept of agape in St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians); the love of loved ones now gone (cf. the song “Returned to the Earth” on forthcoming sister album “Sonic Chocolate”).