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The Who's Pete Townshend Speaks Out About Anti Religious Documentary

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The Who’s Pete Townshed has spoken out about their song 'The Seeker' appearing on the soundtrack of comedian Bill Maher’s anti religious documentary ‘Religulous’.

Fans of the band were surprised to hear that the track was allowed to be included based on Pete Townshend’s deep spirituality according to the New York Post.

"Bill Maher is a comedian. I am a songwriter,” said Townshed in a statement to the newspaper. “I have faith in what I would call God, but I am not a religious man. I don't want to press my views on other people.”

“Maher seems to have the wish to question and make fun of the sanity of we believers. I'm happy to say I'd prefer to be my kind of crazy than his kind of cynical, but . . . we live in a free society . . . “

He continued, “Maher's film is not an important moment in the history of religion . . . So when I first refused the use of my song (for a very modest fee by the way) and Maher badgered me, I decided to allow it.”

“If you have problems with this film, talk to Bill Maher. If you really want to know where I am on my spiritual journey, listen to the song."

The Who kick off their North America tour tomorrow (October 21) in Detroit, Michigan.
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  • "The Seeker" was actually about an American buddy of Townshend's from the early '60's who gave Pete his large collection of jazz and blues LP's before the guy,(who's name I forget) went back to the USA.This friend might've been partly why Pete went w/ Meher Baba,but I haven't heard that as being "offcial".

    ~ by Dennis 10/20/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • townshend is missing the point,maher is fighting against organised religion,the indoctrination of kids into false ideologies,he isnt making fun of people who think there is more to this life,He is just making fun of those who think and insist on telling others that they have the answers,when NO ONE does.

    ~ by Richard Dawkins 10/20/2008

    Reply to this comment View 1 Reply

    • David CRosby wrote a song about George Harrison's supposed "finding the one who knows all"(the maharishi) in the song "Laughing" on his solo LP "If I could only remember my name". It echoes your opinion here.you might like it if you ever care to listen to it.

      ~ by Dennis 10/21/2008


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