“Notion” by The Rare Occasions
Religion is a very interesting topic that can either bring people together or divide them. It has been around for centuries, with multiple beliefs and sects formed as time goes by. One of the most common topics which religion touches on is the promise of an afterlife in Heaven and it is achieved by being kind to others.
With that said, “Notion” speaks about how religion is a lie and how restrictive it can make a person’s life.
The Comfort of Lies
Religion is known to offer people comfort especially in desperate times. The thought of knowing that there’s someone bigger, looking out for you and will answer your prayers if only you ask is bound to be a good thing.
However, in this song, The Rare Occasions have a problem with that. They agree religion is a “calming notion” but they don’t “need the comfort of any lies”. This implies that what religion offers is basically feeding off people’s fear of the unknown and telling religious followers what they would want to hear for comfort, which are nothing but lies.
“Sure it’s a calming notion, perpetual in motion
But I don’t need the comfort of any lies
For I have seen the ending and there is no ascending rise”
Hell and Heaven
Growing up, the narrator probably had friends or acquaintances who were religious followers. It can be assumed that throughout his life he has been faithless and vocal against religion, which made the religious people around him to predict that his “end will be torture beneath the earth”.
In this case, “beneath the earth” is presumably Hell. The idea of Hell is present in many religions from as far back as the Roman and Greek mythology to Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and many others. Being of a Christian background, I will be bringing references from the Bible in this article.
As per Revelations 21:8, it says that upon dying, “the faithless” will receive a second death by being cast into “the lake that burns with fire and sulfur”. What this simply means is that those who do not believe in God shall be sent to Hell in the afterlife.
When death strikes, it is believed that those who believe will “hear the voice of the Son of God” (John 5:25). However, during near-death experiences faced, the narrator has not seen nor heard what the Bible preaches.
Eternal Life in Paradise
God promises his followers eternal life. Actually according to the Bible’s John 3:16, it states that God’s son was born on Earth for people to believe and have eternal life. In rubbishing this, the narrator uses the third verse to make a thought-provoking statement when he asks if life would even matter if you had the ability to live forever.
The narrator believes that Heaven is not just restricted to a place in the afterlife. In fact, according to him, the “momentary beam of light” that we encounter throughout our lives on Earth could be equivalent to Heaven itself. Simply put, Heaven is what you make of it. Everyone can experience Heaven right here on Earth if they choose to.
When was “Notion” released?
Los Angeles based American band, The Rare Occasions had the song, “Notion” released on the 5th of August, 2016. “Notion” is part of the Steve Sacco-produced EP, “Futureproof – EP”.
Who wrote “Notion”?
“Notion” was composed by the band’s lead vocalist, Brian McLaughlin.
Success
So far, this is The Rare Occasions’ most successful single. It made it into multiple major singles charts around the globe, including the UK Singles Chart. Here, it reached a peak position of 72. “Notion” went on to sell over a million copies in the United States.
As of the release date of “Notion”, the band consists of the following members:
- Brian McLaughlin
- Jeremy Cohen
- Luke Imbusch
There was a fourth member of the band named Peter Stone. However, Peter left the band in 2018.
for Catholicsm, doing good things will get you to heaven supposedly.
As a Christian, we don’t have a god for comfort. And as a Christian, doing good things will not get you to heaven. You must believe that Jesus is your saviour and repent.
This song is anti religion, but whoever was explaining it has no idea.
Based
yea
As a catholic, good works alone will not get you to heaven. You must change and confess your sins and you need to empty your soul of all mortal sin before you die so that you go to heaven. However, if you die in God’s grace but your soul is a bit impure, we believe that you will undergo the process of purgatory to cleanse your soul. Hope this helped.
BASED CATHOLICISM. CRINGE PROTTIES
sck your beliefs, fair dinkum
BOOOO!! LOSER! YOU BELIEVE IN LIES!
Reddit user browsing songs meaning so he can shit on religion at 3 am, Get a life.
sep 24 guy is spitting facts
Religion is still a waste of time to me. People that believe otherwise are simply gullible.
As for the comment on being “comforted by a god” then what is praying, what’s going to church for? Does that not bring any sort of comfort for having some sort of spiritual “escape” of some kind?
Either way though, the thought of actual consciousness is definitely a giant concept to grasp. Obviously, leading to a lot of people finding some way of seeking their truth in how human consciousness is created. Doing so they created an even bigger concept to grasp that explains our existence, and since it’s so otherworldly it makes the existence of life seem like a miniscule concept.
Ever since I was a little boy and forced to go to church I wondered what religion was for, a sense of community and togetherness, comfort, culture?
In the first place what makes people faithful to a religion? Is it because they were taught that way, found comfort in it or they just believe it’s the truth? If they believe it to be the truth, what’s the facts on it? Any evidence of these religious symbols really existing?
I don’t believe it is a waste of time. I personally am extremely atheists and agree there’s no way any of the bibles are real stories like many believe they are, but I still don’t call it a waste of time. It’s a way for people to find peace of mind. If people are happy with their beliefs, let them believe in it. The people that cause problems are Catholics constantly starting arguments with their non-catholic family and friends over and over about how they “have to go to church” or they’ll “go to hell”.
I agree anon, people find genuine solace in it. I don’t believe there is a higher power but I respect those that practice whichever religion they align with. It’s people who disrupt and cause trouble by forcing their beliefs that ruin it.
Very true
I am Christian but I appreciate your opinion and how you respect mine. Have a good day brother.
HAHA I AM SORRY BUT THE USER JYST MAKES IT TEN TIMES FUNNIER
Based Christian. (Coming from and atheist btw)
A vida se torna mais valiosa quando você aceita que ela tem fim, e nada mais depois disso. Eu não acho que seja perca
de tempo tendo em vista que gera muitos empregos, fora isso… sim é inútil
We’re not gullible because we believe in what’s right for us so please be respectful to everybody it’s not that hard to get it right because when the rapture comes everybody will cry and lie to Jesus but he will know and you will be tormented in hell with all the demons. Get right or get left
Tell me what is god? I want a complete explanation of this unprovable answer every day for all the poor souls and pure hearts that are suffering pray to God and yet nothing happened all died in worthlessly yet let’s just say they went to heaven soo what is the meaning of life on earth then? Another question some say if you kill if you steal if you ra*e if you rob they go to hell then what about all those children who born in such a bad environment so they do what they have to or do what the environment they live in do without brain or education. Will they go to Hell? Balance helloo?? Let’s just say they are forgiven then what is life? A human in science we are evolved from monkeys is that mean god was a monkey? SHUT UP. We are all animals a cannibals who prey on everything eat everything and hunt. Jesus the son of god being born as a human…kinda funny ngl lets just say that really happened what is that Jesus thinking. We are human ofc we would kill him if he has power, Those without power scared of those with. I never asked to be born and yet here I am. I kinda want to believe but everytime I think of believing, all those people suffering come in my mind. I hate to be a human. We all are animals in the end. No words to prove that we aren’t. If God is a human is there a god of cows? God of ants? I guess ofc when it come to all those people. Yeah even god heaven hell exist I will happily go to hell and suffer an infinite but I will never change my mind that God himself is unfair or made us out of boredom. Kill me for it find me with my name. I hate every humans yet I am one of em. Everyone is finding happiness in the end. No matter what they doing as long as it bring joys they will do it like serial killers ofc Idc anymore. So yeah do not say what exist and what is not without prove. I am not saying that god not exist i am asking questions. So tell me what kind of prove will you give me that actually existed?
you say that you can’t believe because of those suffering but what abt you? God kept you alive maybe he kept you here so you could help them. did you ever think maybe you’re here for a reason? ppl should stop blaming God for everything because most bad things happen because of people and ofc you wouldn’t fully understand God you are a human and He is God where your knowledge stops is where His begins and ways that may seem right to us may not be true. just remember that we dont always see the whole picture but He does, its your choice to believe Him and choose to follow Him or not. Just know He loves you nevertheless
hey hey hey no need to be hostile to christians bro. they are doing their thing and you can do your thing!
im litterally begging you YOUTUBE IS FREE AND ALSO READ YOUR SELF A BIBLE!!!! and trust me going to hell is not something you should be fucking laughing about thinking itll be all cupcakes and rainbows god died for our sins including with making adam and eve please sit your butt down “kill me i didnt ask to be born🥺” stfu
Everyone deserves personal beliefs, and they should be respected (respecting an opinion is not agreeing with it, and I think the article was respectful towards all beliefs)
There are quite a bit! There are many historical records about Jesus (who is the main figure of Christianity) and each book of the Bible can be cross-checked for accuracy in either historical documents or another book of the Bible. The New Testament was written about 50 or no later than 100 years after Jesus’ death (some were written as he was still alive as well.)
The Christian religion is much more interesting and physical than humans have portrayed it as. There are plenty of scrolls and documents of arrest on various figures of the Bible if you are willing to look (which I highly encourage, it’s fascinating). As someone who has doubted whether a God really existed for many many years of my life, I can confirm that the only “blindless faith” is believing whether Jesus was truly the divine like he said he was. Even then his actions spoke louder than his words.
F*** you and your God. St-*id Christians always ruining my comfort!
ok
if others can ruin your peace then you never had it to begin with
No? I can have peace and then someone who does not want to have peace and breaks it. Take war at an example: Peaceful Country but other country invades and the peace is gone.
Global peace is very different from personal peace. You personally could be at peace during nuclear war or have inner turmoil during the most peaceful times. Your peace cannot be disturbed by anyone other than you after you have achieved it. Also, personal peace is often achieved with the help of religion. Lastly, comfort is actually different from peace at least in terms of that personal peace lasts and comfort can be disrupted but personal peace includes comfort so maybe strive for that. (Sorry if my thoughts are all over the place, an inherent issue with autism)
If someone can ruin your god in a few thought provoking questions and actions you never had a god to begin with.
that is so disrespectful. like words cant even describe how rude this is. i, as a Christian, respect youbif you dont believe in God but this is just pure hate…praying for you🤍
Please be respectful it is not that hard. and for someone to say a lot of bad words you sure are a pu-sy for putting your name as anonymous
Don’t just say that like if it means nothing
youll live LMFAO
just because your so derived of knowledge doesn’t mean you can blame it on this incredible song.
Agree💅💅
So luv, you’re clearly biased to your beliefs
Uhm Christians do have a God for comfort, catholicism and Christianity, they’re both the same, just different ways, we believe God is a forgiving God of just. And Jesus is God in the flesh lol, get yo religion right
God is not a tool for comfort he is the sovereign Lord. He comforts us but that is not His role, His role is the creator of everything, the Alpha and Omega, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Good or bad is a social construct the idea of pure good or evil doesn’t exist
A thought that Is assuredly wrong in many ways. Tell me this then, I stab you simply to prove this point, that is a purely evil act is it not? There is no good in it, even if you see the light, because there was no purpose of it.
There is also pure good, for there is no lack of men and women who do good simply for the sake of good. It’s important to realize this, for evil only has to win once, while good must win always.
Correct these people have zero idea what they’re talking about
Honestly, even being a Christian, I am starting to question if there’s actually a God out there somewhere.
It’s important for you to hold onto your faith in our heavenly father and not let the devil lead you astray. If someone were to express doubt or skepticism, it’s possible that they may be going through difficult times in their life.
However, when we think about the complexity and beauty of the world around us, it’s hard to deny that there must be a creator behind it all. The intricate design of nature and the universe suggest that there is a purpose and intelligence behind it.
While I understand that you may not be convinced by texts from the Bible at this moment, I would encourage you to read Psalm 145:9. This verse speaks highly of God and may provide comfort or inspiration to you.
Thank you for sharing your perspective with me. Let us continue to hold onto our faith and support one another on our spiritual journeys.
Ok bud, what time is it?
your bed time! 🙂
go to bed
Shut up loser, god isn’t real, so be quiet.
Doubt is okay. There is a cool youtube video on what you can do if you are doubting in God’s existence, check it out.
I used to like this song but now knowing the meaning I dont like it anymore
I feel like he is afraid of the end too but in one of the last verses he said ” you think your owed it better believing in ancient letter” as he thinks just cause you read the bible you shouldn’t think your all good and get a free ticket to heaven
It never said that if you believe in God you will get into heaven. And as a matter of fact Nothing you will ever do will get you into Heaven it is by the forgiveness of god he will let us into heaven.
I resonate with this song personally because my whole life people have been forcing their religion onto me and telling me how i.should live. It just feels good to know I’m not alone when these religious people do these evil things.
I live in Utah, so people have been forcing mormonism down my throat ever since I was born. The thing was that my parents got so caught up in their beliefs that their love became conditional. They would talk crap about gay and trans people. It made me afraid to ever be myself around them. For years I was in denial about my sexuality and gender. Eventually I came to accept that I’m a bisexual man.
I got outed, then there were arguments ever single night, and abuse. So I started to deal with the pain. Then when I came out as trans I was sent to conversion therapy. Conversion therapy is illegal because it drives people to suicide. I made some friends in the beginning, then this old lady walks in and starts gaslighting us all and makes us believe that we were disgusting and didn’t deserve to live. Every single person attempted suicide. There were 20 of us, only me and my friend Kai survived. I saw them break. I blamed myself for their deaths for an entire year. Eventually last year I stopped sh because it would have killed me to continue.
Religion has caused me so much pain, and it cost my friends their LIVES!! my mum still mentions the name of the conversion therapy organization because she knows I will get flashbacks.
People need to realize that religion isn’t all sunshine. I have joined Wicca, the side that follows many Buddhist teachings, my family assumes I worship Satan, they are dead wrong. I respect nature, and I worship no deity. I have beliefs, and my parents mock them on a regular basis, then when I do the same its disrespectful even they did it too. Respect my religion and I’ll respect yours
Mormonism is a cult. Not a religion. Learn the difference.
Also at the heart of pretty much all actual religions is peace and freedom of choice, it’s the pompous di**s that give religions a bad name by forcing others or being extremely radical, like condemning gays. I personally believe it is unnatural and everyone in that community needs to look at themselves and the biological, natural way of sustaining a species. Like, if we didn’t have any straight people and no way of artificially making children humanity would die out. Also, I think all lgbt+ people should get a mental health check according to standards of idk maybe 100 years ago to see how drastically our standards have changed. It’s a very interesting topic to look into but nobody dares to out of fear of social exclusion.
I hope you die in the most painfull way posible, you mentaly ill fuck, this man has been through a lot and you have the nerve to say that, and to whatever god you belive in should treat you to a fate worse than death, GOODLUCK in your pitifull life that may or may not end in a snap of a finger
LMAO get offended 😂 he’s absolutely right
People who do evil things do not believe in the religion in the first place
TBH for whoever is reading this. God is real OR God isn’t real. Doesn’t really matter. Eternity as in a forever just gives life no meaning. The reason why life is beautiful is because it must come to an end. I would agree that life is what you make of it. IDK myself though. What I say may have lots of holes in it, or maybe I’m onto something. Live life, believe whatever, but when the inevitable comes. forever is just too long.
I don’t know who you are, but this made me realise that death isn’t as scary I thought and there is a beauty to there being a limit on who long we spend on this earth. Thank you.
But in heaven, you are not on earth. You are eternally happy and at peace, not bound by sadness and depression, illness death and grief.
“There isn’t any good without evil” – a philosopher
In a place where no evil exist there is no good. If you never experience evilness how can you now if something is good? It’s like ying and yang
I don’t know if this makes sense
But we already know of the bad that is here on Earth. By comparing both heaven and earth we can distinguish between bad and good.
Also, “There isn’t any good without evil” can also support the fact that there is both heaven and hell.
😉
this is a beautiful comment
I agree. Eternity would get depressing and you would get so bored. eventually you would have done everything, and there would be nothing to do. I may beleive in nirvana, but I don’t think that it will last forever, simply that all things must come to an end
According to Christianity there’s two ways you will be spending eternity after death:
Option 1: Say you have suddenly died in a car accident but don’t believe in Jesus or haven’t accepted him. You will be condemned to what everyone deserves: eternal separation from God and suffering in the pits of Hell. If your lucky the “second death” mentioned in Revelations is a death of the soul and your suffering ends.
Option 2: Same scenario but you have accepted Jesus into your life. You will be forgiven of your sin and live in eternal bliss praising and worshipping God, never growing tired, being sad, aging, angered or suffering in any other way.
Which do you prefer and does either sound boring?
This helped with a school project. thanks.
I also used this for a school project.
This is very interesting lmao and also i like this song even tho no one asked :’)
I asked 🖐
Absolute chad behaviour
Now that’s the violation
Don’t all of us want to be loved, just for who we are? Jesus offers this kind of love when we accept Him in our hearts. If you don’t like how things are going in your life, give Jesus a try! Blessings to you.
This sounds like it’s coming from an ad 💀💀💀💀💀
check with your doctor to see if jesus is right for you!
This comment section goes hard
SO TRUE I love hearing about different takes on religion
As an atheist, if you like God or you worship him I believe you can listen to this song. But please refrain from spreading your beliefs, it’s a big stress on everyone involved. This is a comfort song for many, once more, please.
Thank you for being respectful.
As a Christian, I will not stop spreading the Gospel because someone said to refrain. I will not listen because as someone who spreads the Gospel, it’s saved so many lives. But if you don’t care, keep your mouth shut because you can’t control other religions. I get this is a comfort song, but it offends some religions by how it’s speaking and how the writers of this song didn’t bother to at least make it to where it’s not as offensive. The song says “For I have seen the ending and other is no Ascending Rise” That’s offensive because no one will know when the end will come. I am trying to be as respectful to everyone as possible, but please do not say to refrain what I believe in because I wont listen.
@Psalm 34 Why don’t you go preach about how “jesus loves” elsewhere? There’s better options than worshipping a cross.
ATE GIRLBOSS
what
We are not worshipping a cross, we are worshipping the only real and also omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent God. The cross represents the sacrifice He made for us so that we may be with Him again.
im in English class rn, 7:57 am. im in high school and im just reading these comments and its got me thinking. that’s all thank you
What you thinking? Me asking at 1 am
I think its fine to share your religion and try to tell people about it, but if they don’t want to hear it then just leave them be. the only thing that forcing your religion on other people will do is give it a bad name and make people avoid it. My mom is Christian and when my siblings were younger they were Christians too, but as they got older, they fell away from the church (my dad also doesn’t believe it) and for me, well I’m not sure what to think.
I go to church to make her happy and I know it would break her heart if I fell away from it too, but I have my doubts about it. I prob wont visit this site ever again, but good luck on finding what you believe in this confusing world. have a good life 👋
Ok too many mentions of Christianity here are clouding the meaning of this. This isn’t about just Christians, or Jesus, this song applies to ALL FAITHS. And even though I relate to this song through abuse in the name of the Christian god, my point still stands. What people need to get from this is: We are raised and told to “live to die.” However this song poses the idea of “living to live.” And while the song is anti religious, that doesn’t mean that a religious person can learn something from this. So to the abundance of Christians here: God gave you this life, he didn’t intend on there being an afterlife, for this life was heaven. So live
As an atheist I don’t believe in god as such I am an atheist
Jews don’t believe in Heaven. They believe in a New Jerusalem here on earth
Christians believe in a New Jerusalem in a New World after the Old World ends
Why are these comments so entertaining????
ikr, im just reading it all listening with the song on loop
This comment section is just a pile of chaos of all plopped together
Though I really appreciate that most are those who only share their beliefs, not Forcing them in any way, Like we can all learn a little something from each other
Believers and non believers
the song suggests the futility of eternity. what’s the point in living forever? it may be a ‘calming notion’ but your life would be nothing, worth as much as the next emotionless object. essentially, we all wish to never die at a young age, due to the terrifying prospect of death and everlasting darkness, but we mature and realise how lucky we really are. if we wanted all of eternity to live out our existence then what was the point..
Praising God is the point of our existence but after the Fall we were separated from God so Jesus comes, dies and conquers death to give us a shot at redemption so that we may fulfil our purpose again. Until we die and ascend to Heaven to worship Him it is our mission as Christians to spread His Word throughout the world. Content with the answer?
Wow, it’s just unfathomable to live to eternity, and I mean eternity. The narrator of this song is sharing his point of view and his opinions. We are all different. I just think that people grow up with different experiences that build their opinions. For me, I know that God loves everyone, and not with a condemning superficial love. But He loves everyone more than people can understand. Some people may disagree, but that’s not my concern.
I thought that the narrator’s point of view was interesting which was why I read the lyrics. It’s cool how I can comment without having to submit my email lolol.
As a baptist I think they are wrong. Good works don’t get you to heaven. And they say that you must devote everything? No, you can still have fun, see nature, have community, and still be in the church. And as a baptist you can cultivate your belief alone, no you just go to church or die. Also if you sin you don’t have to get baptized again or go to a confessional. It’s like a get out of jail free card. You want wanna sin after you are saved, but if you do this is how I see it. Jesus is born and doesn’t sin. Then he absorbs all the sin right before he dies. All the past and future sin. Then he goes to hell for 3 days, comes back, and ascends to heaven. Now the only people he took sin from are the ones who embraced him. He knows this because god knows everything past present and future. Even if you are against religion, you might as well do it as a safeguard. Christianity has the most if not the only evidence of existing. Hope you enjoy, I probably won’t be replying.
In my opinion I don’t believe in a god but I don’t believe there is no chance of one I completely believe that Christianity, baptism, atheism, Judaism etc. This is just my take on life so ne need to be harsh or anything like that.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Jeez the drama here crazy
wow this place is crazy my mind is not okay anymore
being kind to others will not lead u to heaven lol
Let me ask some questions. What is Life?
What is God?
What is hell even mean if some children were born in bad environments and learned to do bad things will they be forgiven and go to Heaven instead? But why did god send him there? Just to suffer? Or he just randomly spawned like a fucking game?
What is Heaven if we require such to go there? and Why is heaven exist if everything we want can happen there basically asking what is life even mean when u can have anything? Is heaven just made you freed from random thoughts?
Let me ask again what is Hell if that body the shell we used did very bad things and the soul we have suffered in hell? What is hell even mean when all your memories are gone and if you are just a soul u have no brain which means that the state of the soul itself should be Heaven? What is justice when it is blind? What is your existence even mean? why do some Religious such as Hindus think that it is bad to have sexual desires toward p0*n stars when we are given such parts? Why do u even cut them off to offer god? Why does your god even want them? Why does such a being with multiple arms exist? How a mere human can become god by just deep training…I mean yall said the god has such power..so by just pure heart and by just mind control by just pain taking going beyond your body make u able to control anything?… FUNNY..a hem I am sorry for such a make fun I would love to offer my soul to eternal hell to suffer…well if it existed. I want to believe but I can’t as an arrogant human. Humanity is up and down nothing is stable. Such religious existence made humanity have such a good heart. I would love to thank Jesus for coming down to save us but hope he didn’t come because all he got was suffers from us. I mean, Those without power fear those with. Ofc we ants with such an amount of powerless entities will bring down someone with just 1powerful entity. We fool even kill each other for a change of colors, misunderstandings, Judges, and a lot more in cruel or unexplainable ways. “Your life is priceless but only your actions decide which meaning of priceless you are”
“If we have to do everything by ourselves to achieve such a goal why do we pray?”
“It is fine to hate me. I am sorry to exist, I am sorry to question, I am sorry to make fun of your belief, I will redeem myself and suffer in hell if it existed. You own your body, you own your thoughts, you decide to believe what you want to. So idc. Believe in it. Even tho how some people think it is fake. If u feel like believing in it then do it. So ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the internet. Welcome to this life. Where everything you think is not absolute.”
my biggest questions is just why would god create people knowing they would sin and then burn them forever for something he knew would happen and still allow to happen..
I really did read all of these, I only came here to see if this was a song appropriate to show my teacher bro. I left questioning more than I came in with.
I relate to this song a lot. I grew up in a religious family, and my mother forces me to take lessons so that I could read and write in Arabic and pray. I used to believe in Allah when I was younger, but now, I am an atheist who believes in science and facts. I think that it’s fine and great if someone believes in a god and does good deeds to go to a place called heaven. However, I dislike the people who force their beliefs on others just because they think that their way of thinking is most accurate and correct. I just want to live a life where I believe in what I want to believe in and live to live instead of living to die.
bro this comment section is just- 💀💀💀
I respect all views here even though i regret reading this section god bless murica amen.
“MOM… Grab me some popcorn, because damn this cccomment section spells D.R.A.M.A!!!
OOOOOOOOOOOHHH HIS IS GOLD! “
I’m a Catholic and i rlly enjoy this song despite being “an answer to religion”. Anyway, if you’re atheist or belong to another religion. I wish you a good and fulfilling life