Here's a breakdown of some of the meanings:
1. Title: "Neon Bible" represents the idea of a modern, commercialized version of the Bible or religion, where spiritual messages have become flashy and oversimplified for mass appeal.
2. "They cut off your hands when you steal but they let you starve from hunger" - This lyric highlights the contradiction between strict punishments for petty crimes like stealing while ignoring the issue of widespread poverty and societal neglect that leads to hunger.
3. "They twist all your words when you finally start to talk" - This suggests that individuals who try to speak up against injustice or expose the flaws within religious systems may have their words distorted or misinterpreted to protect the status quo.
4. "In the tower of song I was writing the book of lies. But all the ink ran out, just like the time" - This refers to the writer or singer confronting the limitations and disillusionment they feel about the inadequacy of words or messages to convey the true essence of life and spirituality.
5. "I thought you were the one who was in control" - This can be seen as a loss of faith in those supposed to uphold religious authority, suggesting a sense of betrayal or disappointment in the perceived failures of religious leaders.
6. "Neon Bible, I can see you on the shelf. Just another holy mess to help me through this hell" - This conveys the idea that the Bible or religion has become a commodity and is viewed with a mixture of skepticism and desperation, as people cling to it for guidance in a chaotic world.
Overall, "Neon Bible" serves as a critique of organized religion and its impact on society, challenging blindly accepting religious teachings and institutions without questioning their practices and influence on individuals and communities.