Page - 115 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 04/01

Review: The Joshua Tree | 115www.jrfm.eu 2018, 4/1, 111–116 from the follow-up album Achtung Baby. And third, it could be referencing the screens of contemporary culture and the power of social media, particularly as harnessed by contemporary conman Trump and his use of media to “sell” his wall. How does Trump persuade townsfolk in 2017? The answer: with his hand – particularly through his tweeting. Thus “Exit” contrasts not only two contrary states of faith in religion (Ju- das/Jesus) but also two contrary states of faith in US politics (Obama/Trump) which are revealed in “Praise Song for the Day” and the call to us to hold out our hands. This is a call that draws us into the pre-existing world of mainstream media and into the new world (created since Achtung Baby) of social media. TWO CONTRARY STATES OF FAITH (2) One tantalising footnote to William Blake’s two contrary states of the human soul and to specifically to the show at Twickenham on 9 July 2017 is that the concert was attended by Brian Eno. He was one of the producers for The Joshua Tree and was thanked fulsomely from the stage by Bono. Eno expressed a ver- sion of his own two contrary states of faith in an interview from 2007. There he described himself as an “evangelical atheist” and noted that religion has some positives, including giving us a chance to surrender: “What religion says to you essentially is that you’re not in control. Now, that’s a very liberating idea […] everything else in a consumer society is trying to say, ‘You’re in control’ […] whereas the message of Gospel music is ‘surrender’.”11 In other words, it is pos- sible to be an atheist but yet see religious faith as having value – thus, two con- trary states of faith. HEAR US COMING LORD? The encore for the Twickenham show I attended comprised six songs: “Miss Sarajevo”, “Beautiful Day”, “Elevation”, “Vertigo”, “Mysterious Ways” and “Ul- traviolet” and closed out with “One” from Achtung Baby. On the face of it that final track, titled as a singularity, seems the obverse of “two contrary states of faith”. However, a quote from Bono on that song’s Wikipedia page suggests that even “One” has an inherent dichotomy. He is quoted as saying: There was melancholy about it but there was also strength. “One” is not about one- ness, it’s about difference. It’s not the old hippie idea of “let’s all live together.” It is a much more punk rock concept. It’s anti-romantic: “we are one but not the same. We get to carry each other.” It’s a reminder that we have no choice. I’m still disap- pointed when people hear the chorus line as “got to” rather than “we get to carry 11 Eno 2017.