Tripp Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Does anyone know the meaning behind or of this shirt? Is it against God? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
username Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) Years ago (and I do mean like 20 years ago) I saw it on display in a local evangelical book store. Didn't buy it though. But at least I could tell my Christian mom that it was clearly not a heathen thing since it was on sale in an evangelical book store. If you want one though, a quick google shirt should sort things out. Edited February 19, 2023 by username 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystery Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 3 hours ago, Tripp said: Does anyone know the meaning behind or of this shirt? Is it against God? Could be religious but I always thought it was about not worshipping people in positions of fame or power. With the shirt it was probably about not making Christianity the end all be all of your life and to not put Jesus Christ on such a pedestal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWolllert Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, Tripp said: Does anyone know the meaning behind or of this shirt? "Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. Immaturity is the inability to use one's understanding without guidance from another. This immaturity is self-imposed when its cause lies not in lack of understanding, but in lack of resolve and courage to use it without guidance from another." Immanuel Kant In easy words: "Dare to know!" "Have courage to use your understanding!" - "Kill your Idols" - https://donelan.faculty.writing.ucsb.edu/enlight.html 3 hours ago, Tripp said: Is it against God? No, not necessarily, it's more about (organized) religions and it's possible consequences onto peoples minds and lifes. That's my understanding put in a nutshell. Edited February 19, 2023 by HWolllert 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystery Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 2 hours ago, HWolllert said: "Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. Immaturity is the inability to use one's understanding without guidance from another. This immaturity is self-imposed when its cause lies not in lack of understanding, but in lack of resolve and courage to use it without guidance from another." Immanuel Kant In easy words: "Dare to know!" "Have courage to use your understanding!" - "Kill your Idols" - https://donelan.faculty.writing.ucsb.edu/enlight.html No, not necessarily, it's more about (organized) religions and it's possible consequences onto peoples minds and lifes. That's my understanding put in a nutshell. Axl could have straight up been a hard-ass comedian when you look at these rants. There's such a hard outer shell to him in this video for a guy who clearly had a lot of outer pressure and inner turmoil. This version of Axl so seemed like he was heading to an early grave and seems a million miles away from the current version who at some point found some inner peace and just seems like he enjoys life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaghetti4twenty Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 I’m not here to try to say why he would wear that shirt because only he would know but GNR’s whole brand back then was just being controversial. Why would he wear a Charles Manson shirt? Because he’s the lead singer of “the most dangerous band in the world”. I doubt he was trying to make much of a statement 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 (edited) "Kill your idols" is similar to the phrase "Lose your illusions." Everyone has an idea of what their world is and how it should be. That's their "illusion." You can use that illusion to progress in life to a point, but at some point, something is going to happen to shatter that illusion. You'll see the world for how it really is and you will become "disillusioned." You'll have depression and anger. That's why it's important to not try to build your own expectations up too high or become complacent with how things are going in your life. You should "lose your illusions." "Kill your idols" is basically that same concept. Don't put anyone on a pedestal. Don't let your concept of a person get blown up into something bigger than what it is. For example, take Axl Rose himself. Some people have built him up to be a hero or somehow larger than life, when he's just an ordinary man. Imagine going to meet someone who you've idolized but when you meet them, they're nothing like you imagined. You've created an illusion of this person in your own mind and are now shown the truth, and truth is usually shocking. So, sure, it can directly be about religious idols, but in a broader sense, it's about not building anyone or anything up in your own head. Edited February 20, 2023 by Amish 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-W.A.R- Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 3 hours ago, Spaghetti4twenty said: I’m not here to try to say why he would wear that shirt because only he would know but GNR’s whole brand back then was just being controversial. Why would he wear a Charles Manson shirt? Because he’s the lead singer of “the most dangerous band in the world”. I doubt he was trying to make much of a statement Axl had a persecution complex and those shirts were his statement. He even grew a beard to fully send the message Am i joking? I don't know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
there is no dana only zool Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 I eventually assumed it was a shirt from the new york hardcore band since Axl has seemed to like "underground" stuff from time to time but, just now, in getting to the bottom of that, that wasn't the case in the early 90s since the band, kill your idols, only started playing in 95, so, couldn't have been that (wouldn't be surprised if the band got the idea for the name from Axl's shirt lol). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stress Fracture Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 I had this t-shirt. Wore it on a school trip once. Even cut the neck out like Axl did. The teachers never mentioned it but I do regularly cringe at my young self today. And then there was the Get in the Ring Motherfucker one I wore around town… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimiRose Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 6 hours ago, -W.A.R- said: Axl had a persecution complex and those shirts were his statement. He even grew a beard to fully send the message Am i joking? I don't know. Wish he'd grow a beard now. Would look good with one. Distinguished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 Ironicly I always thought the "Kill your idols" shirt was more like something Cobain would have worn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystery Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 On 2/19/2023 at 11:42 PM, -W.A.R- said: Axl had a persecution complex and those shirts were his statement. He even grew a beard to fully send the message Am i joking? I don't know. The guy had some black and white pictures where he looks like the Western depiction of Jesus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nintari Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 (edited) On 2/19/2023 at 7:29 PM, Amish said: "Kill your idols" is similar to the phrase "Lose your illusions." Everyone has an idea of what their world is and how it should be. That's their "illusion." You can use that illusion to progress in life to a point, but at some point, something is going to happen to shatter that illusion. You'll see the world for how it really is and you will become "disillusioned." You'll have depression and anger. That's why it's important to not try to build your own expectations up too high or become complacent with how things are going in your life. You should "lose your illusions." "Kill your idols" is basically that same concept. Don't put anyone on a pedestal. Don't let your concept of a person get blown up into something bigger than what it is. For example, take Axl Rose himself. Some people have built him up to be a hero or somehow larger than life, when he's just an ordinary man. Imagine going to meet someone who you've idolized but when you meet them, they're nothing like you imagined. You've created an illusion of this person in your own mind and are now shown the truth, and truth is usually shocking. So, sure, it can directly be about religious idols, but in a broader sense, it's about not building anyone or anything up in your own head. I think you read too far into it. The shirt's probably just a take on society as a whole. We're self-destructive etc, and so much so, that we literally killed the son of God. It's tragic irony. A parable. Edited February 22, 2023 by Nintari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-W.A.R- Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 On 2/20/2023 at 4:20 AM, there is no dana only zool said: I eventually assumed it was a shirt from the new york hardcore band since Axl has seemed to like "underground" stuff from time to time but, just now, in getting to the bottom of that, that wasn't the case in the early 90s since the band, kill your idols, only started playing in 95, so, couldn't have been that (wouldn't be surprised if the band got the idea for the name from Axl's shirt lol). Sonic Youth has a song/ep named Kill Yr Idols. I'm not sure there is any connection, I just think Axl liked the phrase. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
there is no dana only zool Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 5 hours ago, -W.A.R- said: Sonic Youth has a song/ep named Kill Yr Idols. I'm not sure there is any connection, I just think Axl liked the phrase. Oooh man okay no no i bet you that's where like... yea I bet if Axl had any attraction toward the shirt other than simply liking the quote, I wouldn't be surprised if it's cuz he liked the SY song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Posted February 26, 2023 Share Posted February 26, 2023 On 2/22/2023 at 3:11 PM, Nintari said: I think you read too far into it. The shirt's probably just a take on society as a whole. We're self-destructive etc, and so much so, that we literally killed the son of God. It's tragic irony. A parable. No, it really has always meant exactly what I said. I'm not even reading anything into it. It's saying to stop propping people up on some belief you've concocted about their personality. Stop turning people into Michael Jackson, or ironically, Axl Rose. Stop worshipping your own idea of things. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nintari Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 On 2/26/2023 at 5:25 AM, Amish said: No, it really has always meant exactly what I said. I'm not even reading anything into it. It's saying to stop propping people up on some belief you've concocted about their personality. Stop turning people into Michael Jackson, or ironically, Axl Rose. Stop worshipping your own idea of things. I disagree. I see it as irony. But that's okay. We don't have to agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoulMonster Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 (edited) Don't hail me And don't idolize the ink Or I've failed in my attentions Can you find the missing link Your only validation is living your own life Vicarious existence is a fucking waste of time Explaining the lyrics: Axl: It just means, you know, it’s trying to show people to realize their own personal power and their own abilities rather than going, you know, “Axl Rose is God and that’s great”. It’s like, “Whoa, don’t say I’m God”. It’s like, you know, just get your own thing together. And that’s where I say “if I fail in my intentions”. If a person is just idolizing me and not working in their own life, then we fail with things we’re trying to express in that song. Rockline, November 27, 1991. Edited March 1, 2023 by SoulMonster 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 19 hours ago, SoulMonster said: Don't hail me And don't idolize the ink Or I've failed in my attentions Can you find the missing link Your only validation is living your own life Vicarious existence is a fucking waste of time Explaining the lyrics: Axl: It just means, you know, it’s trying to show people to realize their own personal power and their own abilities rather than going, you know, “Axl Rose is God and that’s great”. It’s like, “Whoa, don’t say I’m God”. It’s like, you know, just get your own thing together. And that’s where I say “if I fail in my intentions”. If a person is just idolizing me and not working in their own life, then we fail with things we’re trying to express in that song. Rockline, November 27, 1991. Exactly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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