Question to Nine Inch Nails fans about Reznor

I am a HUGE NIN fan, and have avidly listened to almost all their work, but one thing I have always wondered is... exactly what religion is Trent Reznor, the man himself?

Now don't give me any biased, hardcore, atheist-obsessed answers, because I simply don't think or want to believe Trent is an atheist or satanist or anything like that.

I've heard around that he was raised Methodist, then I heard a quote from him that he was against organized religion, but that doesn't mean he's anti-Christian or anything... right?

So really, I don't want any answers that have been retrieved from Reznor's music and works, because that is a horrid source choice. Sure, songs like Heresy and Ruiner were anti-Christian, but that was a CONCEPT ALBUM. And so was Year Zero, which had several Biblical references. So I definitly will not believe any presumptions of Trent's religion that are based off his songs.

So do I have any real, resolute answers here?

i dont know i checked and found lots of different stories some saying hes Jewish (i know wtf) and some saying he is atheist.

In my opinion when you listen to the song "Burn" i dont think many religious people will write songs that dark.

He sounds like an atheist, agnostic or apatheist to me. Burn, Heresy and Terrible Lie are good examples on how I think he feels about the concept of god and religion. If you listen to his music you would see a lot of his lyrics talk negatively about the concept of god. The only lyric I know that doesn't is "You get me closer to god.". Which to me sounds like a metaphor because the song that lyric is from(Closer), is about having sex.

Also, just about everyone that becomes an Atheist/Agnostic/Apatheist are raised as something else first, it does make them that religion for life. Just because you don't want to believe he's an atheist, doesn't change the fact that he most likely is from his lyrics alone.

It has never been definitely stated, but based on things he has said and the lyrical content of some songs, I find it hard to believe he has a concept of God in the organised religion sense.

Atheist/Agnostic is where I'm going on this.

He did however play Judas in his schools production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Samwel you get any tickets for any of the dates? i have 5 for Mohegan Sun, prettttttty stoked

R-Dot-Yung

UK :( No dates for me yet...

I am a HUGE NIN fan, and have avidly listened to almost all their work, but one thing I have always wondered is... exactly what religion is Trent Reznor, the man himself?

Now don't give me any biased, hardcore, atheist-obsessed answers, because I simply don't think or want to believe Trent is an atheist or satanist or anything like that.

I've heard around that he was raised Methodist, then I heard a quote from him that he was against organized religion, but that doesn't mean he's anti-Christian or anything... right?

So really, I don't want any answers that have been retrieved from Reznor's music and works, because that is a horrid source choice. Sure, songs like Heresy and Ruiner were anti-Christian, but that was a CONCEPT ALBUM. And so was Year Zero, which had several Biblical references. So I definitly will not believe any presumptions of Trent's religion that are based off his songs.

So do I have any real, resolute answers here?

criinok

i dont think he follows anything directly, but if i had to guess id say hes atheist.

Thanks for all the answers guys-- It's helped me think about a lot of different ideas. As for Burn, that was also written for The Downward Spiral, just not released onto it... so I think that was written in character as well.

But that was a good point on being apart in the Jesus Christ Superstar musical. It just seems to me that maybe he was raised Christian, turned Atheist (as you can see from the early stages of NIN), and I think maybe as he gets older and more mature, he is not the God-less, angry, depressed man he once was.

I guess, though, we cannot know for sure, but can only use assumptions from his songs. Update me if you find anything, and thanks!

Upon reading Marilyn Manson's autobiography (He and Trent were good friends) Trent Reznor is diehard atheist and borderline evil...

The man has a dark dark history if Manson is to be believed.

Wow, Manson's book was something I never even thought of... What exactly did it say about Trent in there? Haha..

That's a really good idea though, but like I said... I think Trent has certainly matured much and too much to be a "diehard Atheist".

And did him and Manson ever make up? Starf/ckers was pretty big, but I heard they made up... I doubt they're still friends to this day though, right?

Oh, and another question: As for "Head Like A Hole", Trent sings "God money" over and over again, apparantly angry about it... what exactly does he mean by that? I always thought he was saying "Got money", as in 'Got money, I'll do anything for you"... but I guess I was wrong. What does that lyric mean?criinok

God money is a metaphor I think for money being god. As in human beings worship money. "God money, I'd do anything for you.". Saying he'd do anything for money. Atleast that is what I get from it. Also if you listen to the song "The Hand That Feeds", that song seems entirely about religion, as well as God Given which is sarcastic about how people in religion think they are superior to others because of it. Both songs reflect religion in a negative light.

Trent's music has matured, but that doesn't make him any less of an atheist than he was way back when. I'll go with what Manson's book said, if it is indeed in the book(I haven't read it), because at the time it was released he and Manson were good friends.

And did him and Manson ever make up? Starf/ckers was pretty big, but I heard they made up... I doubt they're still friends to this day though, right?

criinok

Well, Manson directed the Star****ers video, and starred in the end of it, he also comes on stage and performs with Nine Inch Nails on one of the easter eggs on AATCHB.

As to making up? Well Trent has made several sly digs at Manson, particularly regarding his cover's, so I honestly couldn't say, both camps were always pretty wrapped up when it came to the issue. But it was a long time ago now, so I doubt neither are bothered.