Epiphany

Bad Religion's song 'Epiphany' delves into the disillusionment that often accompanies the search for truth and meaning. The lyrics paint a picture of a 'new age of reason,' where the mind is tricked into believing in false promises and empty revelations. The opening lines suggest a sense of futility in searching for answers when there is nothing substantial to find. This sets the tone for a song that questions the very nature of enlightenment and the reliability of our perceptions.

The chorus emphasizes the theme of disillusionment, stating that 'what's right is wrong' and 'what's clear and pure is not so sure.' These lines reflect the confusion and ambiguity that often accompany moments of supposed clarity or epiphany. The song suggests that all promises eventually become lies and that even benign things corrupt over time. This highlights the transient and unreliable nature of human understanding and the fallacy of believing in absolute truths.

The song also touches on the social and moral implications of this disillusionment. Lines like 'come forth bear witness, see the profit from your loss' and 'beg for forgiveness only after you tally the cost' suggest a critique of societal values and the moral compromises people make. The repeated phrase 'we arrive at this place of no return' underscores a sense of inevitability and resignation, as if the journey for truth has led to a dead end. Ultimately, 'Epiphany' serves as a poignant commentary on the human condition, questioning the very foundations of our beliefs and the reliability of our revelations.