I find myself getting severly drunk to U2 tunes. From what I hear U2 enjoy the rough spirits which Bono writes about on a few songs TTTYAATW for example.

That's effected me big time, last time I got smashed out my face I was very ill.

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It might sound corny (although maybe not, given the level of fandom I've seen in this community ;)), but for me, U2 and music in general *is* my spiritual connection. I'm not a religious person, but a great song and especially an amazing show can be a spiritual experience for me. Some of the times I've felt the most... uplifted, for lack of a better word, have been during U2 shows. When I got Achtung Baby, I felt as if Bono had been eavesdropping on my emotions. The first time I heard "New York" and the first chorus kicked in, that was pretty spiritual as well, for reasons I still can't fully explain. It doesn't necessarily have to be a song that I connect with lyrically - although that helps - sometimes it's just the right notes, the right chords.

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Their music has helped me to become a much less cynical person. I know this is kinda silly, but I can really relate to Bono's views and his personality. That quote about how he was always drawn to indiviuals like Ghandi and MLK Jr. and Christ because he could never "turn the other cheek" really strikes a chord with me (no pun intended). I learn a lot by listening to his words and experiences, and it's helped me be a better person. There music is a celebration of life, the good parts and the bad parts and even the mediocre parts. And the music and well as the words contribute to that feeling, and it just gives me faith that there are people out there in the world who believe but question what they think is wrong and can acknowledge the cynicism of the world without wholly giving into it.

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U2 spiritually?? Where to begin.
So many U2 songs will stop me in dead thought and make me think of a God a greater presence. And maybe it is not really God but a strong sense of BELIEF. Belief in kindness, belief in myself to be the person I really want to be.
It is heartfelt, and the average person would not understand how a song like Where The Streets Have No Name can have you sitting in the driveway of your home balling your eyes out, because you are hearing it for the first time even though you have heard the song a million times.
It is looking at the beauty of trees, grass, mountains, clouds, Just natural beauty, even if through the windshield of your car with In God's Country playing.
It is putting on Beautiful Day or Walk On when your life seems to be falling apart and realizing you are fine.

There are many, many songs that make me feel closer to something.. I have no problems saying "yes U2's music makes me feel closer to God".
The only thing I will say though.. The God I do believe in does not want you to kill innocent people in his name.

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See, this is the sort of question I think probably a lot of people would have problems answering, just for the extreme personal aspect of it. I know I can't answer it well at all. Usually I wouldn't even try, just because it's so public and to me, spirituality is an extremely personal and private thing. So I'm just gonna say two more words. Streets. Live.

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Well, music is a prayer, "no more, no war..." this is a prayer. Music is spiritual, god focused or demonic, either way. When I listen to a U2 song, my heart is trying to effect my head and this is a trial at times. To describe it would take away from that feeling. A feeling of utter helplessness. Something that sometimes makes me cry or can wreak havoc in my own spirit. In the music, I am deconstructed down to my root, to be built back stronger. Something happens on a personal level that happens when I work out, the muscle is torn down and it builds back but stronger. I went to my first elevation concert (San Diego April, 2001) and between that and the previous time 21st June 1997, my friend Patrick was shot to death. And going to that concert was like getting my teeth kicked in. But in the music, the spirit of Patrick was brought back to life, in the words of songs that really hit home. Like the songs about death had something there for me. And that really made me appreciate the songs and the person that much more. I know Sikhs from India who, if it wasn't about "spiritual" issues in the music of U2 we'd be killing each other. I love that they are welcomed, love isn't love unless I put all people here. I think that most of all U2 has taught me, that hate, hatred of the most bitter ilk, is couched in love. Because if I love the one who would kill me, if I "lay down my life for my friends," the opposing party has no response. There would be no satisfaction out of my loss. My hope is this, that in the music and in their lives inspired by the music, that people would learn to think for themselves, and that there would be listening ears. I hope that is true even for U2 because I think each one of them has, in an Irish sense, not spared us one jot of anything that matters to them. Thanks for asking, Aaron!!

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They pushed me towards my relationship with Jesus.

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